GB2407117A

GB2407117A - Adhesively mounted, tapered frame section

Info

Publication number: GB2407117A
Application number: GB0324405A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Bradley
Original assignee: Komfort Office Environments PLC
Current assignee: Komfort Office Environments PLC
Priority date: 2003-10-18
Filing date: 2003-10-18
Publication date: 2005-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2023-10-18
Also published as: GB2407117B; GB0324405D0

Abstract

A frame section 5 for a door or glazing panel assembly has an inner frame member 10 and a closure member 12. The inner member has a recess 34, which may have an angled inner face, to receive adhesive 36 for securing the panel to the frame, the sides 18 of the frame being tapered. The frame section is preferably metallic and the panels 62 of glass.

Description

24071 1 7

FRAMEWORK FOR A DOOR OR PANEL

The present invention relates to a framework for a door or panel.

An example of a door framework for a double glazed glass door is disclosed in our patent GB 2384021. A profile of an aluminium door frame is described therein which includes two channels for receiving two generally parallel glazing sheets which together define a double glazed partition. Each glazing sheet is located within its respective channel by a flexible brush seal positioned internally of the double glazed partition and an O-ring seal located between the opposed surfaces of the sheet and the adjacent surface of the channel. Whereas this earlier system has proven to be successful, improvements have been made to store and retain the glass panels in place with increased safety.

Most notably, frames of known door frame assemblies commonly include recesses which receive adhesive by which glass sheets or the like are secured to the frame. However, difficulties are experienced during assembly of such door frame assemblies primarily due to the adhesive causing the metallic frame to stick unevenly to the glass panels causing the panels to appear disfigured.

The present invention sets out to provide a framework for a door or panel having improvements to the storage and retention of the glass panels while also alleviating the aforementioned aesthetic problems.

In one aspect, the invention provides an extruded section for a door or panel framework, the section comprising an inner frame member and a closure member, the inner member having at least one recess for receiving an adhesive and having side faces that are inwardly tapered along a substantial part thereof.

Preferably the frame section is made from a metallic material.

Preferably still the frame section is made from aluminium.

Preferably the inner frame member is cup-shaped.

Preferably still, only the outer surface of one or each side wall of the inner member is inwardly tapered.

Preferably, the or each recess has an angled inner face.

The inner frame member preferably comprises front and back elongate arms extending between the side walls.

Advantageously, one elongate arm of the inner frame member includes engagement means, preferably the engagement means takes the form of one or more hook members.

Preferably, the or each engagement means is formed on, or attached to, the back elongate arm of the frame member.

Preferably, a mid-portion of the back elongate member is offset from the junctions linking the back elongate arm and the side walls of the inner member thereby to provide a spaced area directly behind the mid- portion.

Preferably, the closure member has at least one protrusion to be received within a respective engaging recess formed on a back portion of the inner member.

Preferably still, the inner member and the closure member, in use, are engaged in such a way as to provide a spaced area between said inner member and said closure member. i I

Preferably still, a locking mechanism is provided within the spaced area.

In a preferred embodiment, the closure member has outwardly extending arms which include gripping means. Preferably, the ends of each arm of the closure member are pointed inwardly to provide the gripping means.

Preferably the closure means includes a box frame. Alternatively, the closure means has a box frame detachably attached thereto.

The box frame preferably includes attachment means to attach a closure mechanism thereto. Preferably still, the closure mechanism is a hydraulic mechanism.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided, a framework for a door or panel assembly comprising two substantially parallel panels attached to and extending between frame sections, each frame section comprising an inner frame member and a corresponding closure member, the inner member of one or each frame section has at least one recess for receiving an adhesive to adhere the panels to the respective frame section, the panels being separated by the inner frame member of each frame section.

Preferably the inner frame member of each frame section has side faces that are inwardly tapered along a substantial part thereof.

Preferably, each panel is made from glass or a glass-like material such as a polycarbonate. More preferably, the panels are made from toughened gauge glass and the frame sections are made from a metal, most preferably aluminium. i

Preferably a single contact point is provided between each glass panel and the respective face of the inner frame member.

In a preferred embodiment, one edge of each panel has a push- plate attached to its outer surface. Preferably, the push plate is attached using adhesive fixings.

Preferably a handle is attached to the door frame assembly via a spindle extending substantially perpendicularly between the two panels.

The closure members of one or each frame section are preferably linked to respective reveal post via seal arrangements. Preferably still, at least one frame section is linked to its respective reveal post in such a way to allow pivotal movement therebetween.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided, a double glazed framework for a door or panel comprising a frame with two substantially parallel panels attached thereto and extending thereacross, the frame comprising an inner frame member and a corresponding closure member, the inner member of the frame having at least one recess for receiving an adhesive to adhere each panel to the frame, the panels being separated by the inner frame member of the frame.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan section view of a door frame and section constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan section view of the door framework section of Figure 1 including a hydraulic closure member attached thereto; 1 Figure 3 is a plan section view of a door incorporating the door framework sections of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side sectional view of a door incorporating the door framework sections of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 5 is a plan section view of a door incorporating the door framework sections of Figure 1 showing how the door is relates to reveal posts.

The profile of a door frame section 5 shown in Figure 1 is the same for the stlies and the headrail of the frame. It is extruded from aluminium and comprises an inner cup-shaped member 10 and a closure member 12.

The profile is the same along the entire length of the extrusion thereby enabling individual profiled strips of any required length to be cut from longer profiled strip lengths.

The inner member 10 comprises a front portion 14 and a back portion 16 separated by side walls 18, the outer surfaces of which taper inwardly towards the front portion 14. The front and back portions 14, 16 form front and back elongate members 20, 22, at least the mid-points of which are substantially parallel to each other. Both the front and back elongate members 20, 22 extend from and are substantially perpendicular to inner surfaces of the side walls 18 of the inner member 10.

An inner surface 24 of said back elongate member 22 has engagement means formed thereon in the form of two spaced apart inwardly facing hook members 26 which engage through a fixing (for example a screw) with respective engagement members of a further frame section in a perpendicular arrangement.

A recess 28 is formed at each junction 30 where the back elongate member 22 meets the side walls 18 of the inner member 10. Each recess is designed to receive a part of the closure member 12 when the closure member 12 is attached to the back of the inner cup-shaped member 10, as will be later described.

A substantial mid-portion of the back elongate member 22 is offset from the junctions 30 with the side walls 18, towards the front elongate member 20 to leave a spaced area 32 directly behind the mid-portion.

The side walls 18 are only tapered along the length between the junctions 30 with the back elongate member 22 and the front elongate member leaving the end part of each side wall 18, beyond the back elongate member 22, substantially flat. A further recess 34 is formed at the distal end of each side wall 18. Each recess 34 is designed to receive an adhesive (see 36 in figures 3 and 4). Each recess 34 has an inner surface 38 angled towards the back of the inner member 10 to retain the adhesive 36, in use, within the recess 34 and prevent the adhesive 36 from flowing down the outer surfaces of the side walls 18 of the inner member 10.

As mentioned earlier, the (or each) inner cup-shaped member 10 has a respective closure member 12 capable of engagement thereto.

The closure member 12 comprises a stile 40 having two inwardly extending protrusions 42 near each end of the stile 40. The inward protrusions 42 are designed to engage with the recesses 28 formed in back portion 16 of the inner member 10 when, in use, the closure member 12 is attached to the back of the inner member 10.

The stile 40 extends beyond each protrusion 42 to form cloaking arms 44, the ends of which point inwardly. When engaged with the inner member 10, the arms 44 of the closure member 12 extend beyond the side walls 18 of the inner member 10.

Figure 2 illustrates an inner member 10 of the form described above. In this case, however, the closure member 12 is replaced by a box frame 50 carrying a hydraulic closure member 52. Typically, this closure member comprises a standard hydraulic member available on the market.

The hydraulic member 52 is supported from a hanger strip 54 positioned between supports 56 located within the box frame 50.

A double-glazed door 60 constructed using the door frame sections described above is shown in Figures 3 and 4. Here, two sheets of toughened 6 mm gauge glass 62 extend between the door frame sections 5. The glass sheets 62 are assembled on the door frame in such a way that the inner member 10 of each frame section 5 is located between the glass sheets 60, such that, once assembled, the closure members 12 define the edge rim of the door 60. The fact that the major part of each side wall 18 of each inner member 10 is tapered inwardly, means that the glass sheets 62 will not abut the side walls 18 along the tapered length.

Rather, the glass sheets 62 will only abut the side walls 18 of the inner members 18 at the part where the side walls 18 are flat. Consequently, there is only a small area of the overall assembly, on the side walls 18 beyond the back elongate member of the inner member where the glass sheets 62 abut the aluminium frame.

The glass sheets 62 are adhered to the frame sections 5 using a warm melt technique. In such a technique, the adhesive 36 is placed in the recesses 34 formed in the back portion 16 of the inner member 10 and adheres the glass sheet 62 to the frame section 5 at these points. The arms 44 of the stile 40 of the closure member 12 provide cloaking to the glass sheets 62.

One side of door frame shown in Figure 3 has locking means incorporated within the frame. A lock mechanism 64 (including an adaptor and washer) is provided within the spaced area 32 between the second elongate member 22 of the inner member 10 and the stile 40 of the closure member 12.

The lock block 64 is accessible via apertures 66 drilled through each glass sheet 62. A locking cylinder passes through the apertures 66 and the lock block 64.

Push plates 68 are attached to either side of the locking end of the door frame via a spindle 70 which is attached to the front elongate member 20 of the respective inner member 10 by locking screws (not shown). The spindle extends laterally between the glass sheets 62. A handle 72 (see Figure 5) is also attached to the locking end of the door frame via the spindle 70.

The top of the door framework shown in Figure 4 has a spigot 82 (shown in dotted lines) provided within the spaced area 32 between the second elongate member 22 of the inner member 10 and the stile 40 of the closure member 12. The spigot 82 has an over-head spindle (not shown) associated with it which allows the door to pivot on the same axis as the hydraulic closure 52.

As can be seen in Figure 5, the closure stiles 40 of each end of the door frame are linked to a respective reveal post 74. The end of the door frame carrying the locking mechanism disengages with its respective reveal post 74 when that part of the door is pushed via either one of the push plates 68, thus allowing the door to be opened. The end of the door frame opposite that which carries the locking mechanism pivots about a reveal post 74. A door edge seal 76 and a reveal seal 78 extend between respective sides of the stiles 40 of the closure members and the reveal posts. Anti-finger trap members 80 may be provided at each seal location (only one of which is shown in Figure 5).

The above described embodiment has been given by way of example only, and the skilled reader will naturally appreciate that many variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An extruded section for a door or panel framework, the section comprising an inner frame member and a closure member, the inner member having at least one recess for receiving an adhesive and having side faces that are inwardly tapered along a substantial part thereof.

2. An extruded section according to claim 1, wherein the frame section is made from a metallic material.

3. An extruded section according to claim 2, wherein the frame section is made from aluminium.

4. An extruded section according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inner frame member is cup-shaped.

5. An extruded section according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein only the outer surface of one or each side wall of the inner member is inwardly tapered.

6. An extruded section according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the or each recess has an angled inner face.

7. An extruded section according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner frame member preferably comprises front and back elongate arms extending between the side walls.

8. An extruded section according to claim 7, wherein one elongate arm of the inner frame member includes engagement means.

9. An extruded section according to claim 8, wherein the engagement means takes the form of one or more hook members.

10. An extruded section according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the or each engagement means is formed on, or attached to, the back elongate arm of the frame member.

11. An extruded section according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein a midportion of the back elongate member is offset from the junctions linking the back elongate arm and the side walls of the inner member thereby to provide a spaced area directly behind the mid-portion.

12. An extruded section according to any preceding claim, the closure member has at least one protrusion to be received within a respective engaging recess formed on a back portion of the inner member.

13. An extruded section according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner member and the closure member, in use, are engaged in such a way as to provide a spaced area between said inner member and said closure member.

14. An extruded section according to claim 13, wherein a locking mechanism is provided within the spaced area.

15. An extruded section according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure member has outwardly extending arms which include gripping means.

16. An extruded section according to claim 15, wherein the ends of each arm of the closure member are pointed inwardly to provide the gripping means.

17. An extruded section according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure means includes a box frame.

18. An extruded section according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the closure means has a box frame detachably attached thereto.

19. An extruded section according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the box frame includes attachment means to attach a closure mechanism thereto.

20. An extruded section according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure mechanism is a hydraulic mechanism.

21. A framework for a door or panel assembly comprising two substantially parallel panels attached to and extending between frame sections, each frame section comprising an inner frame member and a corresponding closure member, the inner member of one or each frame section has at least one recess for receiving an adhesive to adhere the panels to the respective frame section, the panels being separated by the inner frame member of each frame section.

22. A framework according to claim 21, wherein the inner frame member of each frame section has side faces that are inwardly tapered along a substantial part thereof.

23. A framework according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein each panel is made from glass or a glass-like material such as a polycarbonate.

24. A framework according to claim 23, wherein the panels are made from toughened gauge glass and the frame sections are made from a metal.

25. A framework according to claim 24, wherein the frame sections are made from aluminium.

26. A framework according to any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein a single contact point is provided between each glass panel and the respective face of the inner frame member.

27. A framework according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein one edge of each panel has a push-plate attached to its outer surface.

28. A framework according to claim 27, wherein the push plate is attached using adhesive fixings.

29. A framework according to any one of claims 21 to 28, wherein a handle is attached to the door frame assembly via a spindle extending substantially perpendicularly between the two panels.

30. A framework according to any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein closure members of one or each frame section are preferably linked to a respective reveal post via seal arrangements.

31. A framework according to claim 30, wherein at least one frame section is linked to its respective reveal post in such a way to allow pivotal movement therebetween.

32. A double glazed framework for a door or panel comprising a frame with two substantially parallel panels attached thereto and extending thereacross, the frame comprising an inner frame member and a corresponding closure member, the inner member of the frame having at least one recess for receiving an adhesive to adhere each panel to the frame, the panels being separated by the inner frame member of the frame.

33. An extruded section substantially as hereinbefore described and referred to in the accompanying Figures.

34. A framework substantially as hereinbefore described and referred to in the accompanying Figure