GB2408768A

GB2408768A - Releasable double frame

Info

Publication number: GB2408768A
Application number: GB0327962A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Richard Bishop
Original assignee: EVEREST Ltd
Current assignee: EVEREST Ltd
Priority date: 2003-12-03
Filing date: 2003-12-03
Publication date: 2005-06-08
Anticipated expiration: 2023-12-03
Also published as: GB2408768B; GB0327962D0

Abstract

A window frame 1 comprises a glazable first frame 10 and a surrounding second frame 20. The first frame 10 is arranged to be releasably retained in the second frame 20 by means of one or more latching elements 30. The or each element 30 is arranged to be accessed by means of a tool 70 inserted between the first and second frame, on an inside side 12, 22 of the window.

Description

Improvements in and relating to door and window frames The present

invention relates to assemblies such as door and window frames made of extrusions.

Door and window frames made of extrusions are known. Such frames are used in both new build and replacement applications. The frames commonly comprise a number of different extrusions, which are fabricated into the component parts of a window and or door frame. The extrusions are commonly made of plastics materials or of metal such as aluminium. Such component parts include surrounding frame for mounting directly into openings in walls, fixed glazed frames, and opening glazed frames, which may include doors. It is frequently required to provide a common sight line, that is where the size of the glass unit fitted to an opening glazed frame is the same size as the glass unit fitted to an adjacent fixed glazed fraTne. To achieve this, a surrounding frame arranged to have at least an opening and a fixed glazed frame, is provided with two identical glazed frames, one being hingedly mounted to the surrounding fraTne using hinges and a latch, and the other being fixedly mounted to the surrounding frame. In order to ensure that the hinged glazed frame may open, a clearance is necessary between the glazed frame and an aperture arranged to receive the opening glazed frame in the surrounding frame. When fixedly mounting the adjacent fixed glazed frame, means must be provided both to fix the glazed frame to the surrounding frame, and also means to position the glazed frame centrally within the aperture of the surrounding frame. Known means are either time consuming to assemble, such as screws where it is difficult to align the glazed frame in the surrounding frame, or if easy to assemble, such as clips, have disadvantages that removal of a fixed glazed frame is difficult or not possible.

According to the present invention there is provided a window frame comprising a glazable first frame and a surrounding second frame, the first frame being arranged to be releasably retained in the second frame by means of one or more latching elements, the or each element being arranged to be accessed by means of - 2 a tool inserted between the first and second frame, on an inside side of the window.

An advantage of a latching element according to the invention is that it is both easy and quick to fit and remove a glazable first frame to and from a second frame. A further benefit is that the security of a building is enhanced as the latching element may only be released from inside the building.

Preferably the second frame has an overhung latching portion into which a toe of the or each element is arranged to engage to retain the frames in a latched together retention, and wherein the or each element has an arm extending away from the toe to an end toward said accessing position such that an inserted said tool can engage with the arm.

More preferably the ann is substantially rigid.

An advantage of the rigid arm extending from the toe to the accessible end is that the toe maybe disengaged from the second frame from within the building.

Preferably the or each element is arranged to pivot for engagement and disengagement about a point between the toe and end.

An advantage of the arm being arranged to pivotally disengage is that the first frame may be unlatched and disengaged from the second frame by a simple application of pressure on the accessible end.

Preferably the second frame has an outstanding rib forming one surface for pivotal movement and wherein the or each element has a projection arranged to abut the rib to assist the pivotal movement.

A benefit ofthe outstanding rib and the projection is that the frame is not displaced when the latching element is latched or unlatched. - 3

Preferably the or each element is formed of a resilient material. In an embodiment the resilient material is a plastics material.

an alternative embodiment the resilient material is preferably a metal.

An advantage of a plastics material is that a particular material may be chosen that has a natural resilience, and further that complex shapes may be manufactured, hence the resilient element may have both retention features and the resilience necessary to enable engagement and disengagement.

A benefit of a metal is that high strength and a high resilient force may be obtained within the restricted space available. Suitable metals would be spring steel or stainless steel, or a resilient aluminium.

Preferably the first frame and or the second frame is formed of a plastics material.

An advantage of a plastics material is that complex shapes may be manufactured, hence the first frame may be arranged to receive and retain the resilient element and the second frame may be accurately provided with suitable latching portions.

In an alternative embodiment the first frame or the second frame is preferably formed of a metal.

In a further alternative embodiment the first frame or the second frame is preferably formed of wood.

In a yet further alternative embodiment the first frame or the second frame is preferably formed of composite material.

Preferably the or each element has an outstanding portion arranged to engage a receiving portion in one of the said frames. - 4

An advantage of the outstanding portion engaging with a receiving portion, such as a slot or channel, in the first frame, is that a strong location is provided for the resilient latching member.

Preferably the or each element is retained to one of the said frames. an embodiment the or each element is preferably retained in the first frame by a screw or barbs. In a further embodiment the or each element is preferably retained in the second frame.

An advantage of the element being retained to one of the frames is that the frames may be more easily fitted to each other without the or each element being dislocated during the fitting process. An advantage of the barbs is that the element is reliably retained to the first frame without the use of tools.

Preferably the or each element is slackly fitted into the receiving portion.

An advantage of the element being slackly fitted to the receiving portion is that it may move so as to pivot within the receiving portion, thus assisting in the release of the latching member.

Preferably the or each element has a reduced area in the outstanding portion so as to provide flexibility about the reduced area when engaging or disengaging with the second frame.

An advantage of the outstanding portion having a reduced area, is that when a resilient element is retained with a screw, resilience is inherently provided within the resilient element. - 5

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view of an part of a first frame and a second frame with a latching element according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a releasable element as shown in Figure 1; Figure 2A is a plan view of the releasable element shown in Figure 2; Figure 3 is a sectional view ofthe same first and second frame shown in Figure 1, but with a latching element according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a side view of a releasable element as shown in Figure 3; and Figure 4A is a plan view of the releasable element shown in Figure 4.

From Figure 1, a sectional view of an part of a window frame 1 according to the invention is shown comprising a glazable first frame 10 and a surrounding second frame 20, the first frame being arranged to be releasably retained in the second Moraine by means of one or more latching elements 30. For clarity, cross-hatching of section walls 62 and 64 of frames 10 and 20 respectively has been omitted.

Walls 62 and 64 surround hollow spaces 66 and 68 respectively. Each of frames and 20 has an external surface 11 and 21 respectively facing in an external direction of an outside space 40, and an internal surface 12 and 22 facing in an internal direction of an inside space 50. Each of frames 10 and 20 has a perimeter surface 13 and 23 respectively. Perimeter surface 23 is arranged for mounting to an opening in a building structure, and perimeter surface 13 is arranged to accept mountings for hinges (not shown) at 14 and for receiving other hardware such as locking mechanisms (not shown) in receiving portion or channel 15. Internal surfaces 25 and 26 on the second frame are arranged for receiving the hinges and striking plates to co-operate with the locking mechanisms. - 6

When the first frame is desired to be hingedly mounted to the second frame, both hinges and locking mechanisms are mounted to and between the frames.

From Figure 1, the first frame 10 is shown with a sealed glazing unit 80 mounted to the frame. The sealed glazing unit comprises two sheets of glass 82 and 84 spaced apart with spacer 86 and hermetically sealed and mounted to each other with adhesive 88. The sealed glazing unit 80 is mounted to the frame 10 between two compressible seals 90 and 92 so as to form a weather resistant assembly. Seal 92 is mounted to releasable beading 94, which has a tongue 96 and a latch 98.

Where it is required in a particular installation that an opaque panel is fitted, the glazing unit 80 may be replaced by a solid or a composite panel, such as wood or a PVC skinned foam core panel.

In use, the glazing unit 80 is positioned in the first frame 10 abuffing seal 90 in a direction from the inside space 50, and may be supported centrally in the frame by spacing blocks (not shown), tongue 96 of beading 94 with seal 92 is then located under lip 97 of the frame 10. Pressure is applied to beading 94 to compress the seals 90 and 92 so that the latch 98 may engage with the latching face 19 of the wall 62. The glazing unit 80 may be removed for replacement by applying pressure to the beading 94 and disengaging the latch 98 from the latching face 19.

Hence it is preferred to mount the glazing unit so that the beading is only accessible from the inside space 50 within the building.

It may be seen from Figure 1 that the surrounding frame 20 is provided with both overhung latching portion 29 and lip 27 which correspond to latching face 19 and lip 97, and where a first frame 10 is not required, a glazing unit similar to that - 7 described above may be fitted in a similar manner to the surrounding frame. In this case a beading (as described above with reference to beading 94) would be inserted so as to compress the seal mounted to the beading and seal 93 mounted to the surrounding frame 20. s

Figure 1 also shows latching element 30, which is also shown in Figures 2 and 2A.

The latching element 30 has an outstanding rectangular boss 35 arranged to locate in the channel 15, and to retain the latching element to the fist frame. Barbs 43 and 46 are provided to engage internal walls of the channel 15 to enhance the retention of the latching element to the first frame. To provide additional retention a screw 60 may be inserted as shown through a hole in the first frame 10 and into a hole 48 in the boss 35. The latching element 30 has a toe 32 with a shaped end 34 and a release arm 36. The release arson 36 is provided with a slot 38 arranged to receive a thin blade such as flat screwdriver blade 72 of a screwdriver shown in Figures 1 and 3, or alternatively a metal scraper blade or similar tool may be used. An undercut 42 is provided to form resilient portion 44. A radiused support 47 is provided opposite boss 35.

In use, when it is desired to releasably retain the first frame 10 to the second frame latching element(s) 30 are fitted to the first frame at suitable intervals and positions around the first frame. The first frame may then be inserted into the surrounding second frame in a direction of arrow 1A. As the first frame is inserted, latching elements 30 resiliently deflect to pass over front wall 28.

Sloping faces 31 and 33 are provided to enable the latching element to more easily pass over the front wall 28. As the first frame is pressed against the seals 91 and 93 to compress these a required amount to ensure adequate weather sealing, the shaped end 34 snap fits behind the front wall 28 and abuts overhung latching portion 29. The weight ofthe first frame 10 is supported by the engagement of the boss 35 within the channel 15 and the radiused support 47 which abuts an internal surface of the lip 27. - 8

Suitable intervals for fitting the latching members around the frame are, for example, at spacings of about 450mm between adjacent latching members and about 150mm from each corner of the first frame.

For particular windows, where the first frame is particularly heavy, additional spacing blocks (not shown) may be provided positioned at intervals between the latching members to support the first frame and ensure it remains centrally mounted within the surrounding second frame.

The line contact of &e radiused support 47 abutting the internal surface of the rib or lip 27, facilitates the resilient pivotal deflection of the latching element 30 to disengage the shaped end 34 from the latching portion 29.

Should it be necessary to release the first frame from the surrounding frame, a bladed tool such as a scraper or the screwdriver blade 72 is inserted between the internal surface 12 and the seal 93 so that the blade engages the slot 38 of the release arm 36. Pressure applied in the direction of arrow 1R to the screwdriver, resiliently deflects the clip so that the shaped end 34 is disengaged from the latching portion 29, and the toe 32 may pass over the front wall 28 as the first frame 10 is removed from the surrounding frame 20.

Use of the first frame 10 mounted to the surrounding frame 20 using the latching elements 30 enhances the security of a building to which the invention is mounted, since the beading 94 when fitted to a first frame is mounted to the first frame from within the inside space 50, that is from within a building. Further the latching elements 30 are releasable only from within the inside space, by means of the insertion of a tool between an inside surface of each of the first and second frames. - 9 -

In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the latching element is preferably arranged to deflect about the resilient portion 44.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, but similar to that described above apart from the rectangular boss 35 being of such dimensions that it may move within the slot 15, and is retained in a central position by means of screw 60.

From Figure 3, a second embodiment 100 according to the invention is shown mounted to the saTne frame sections as shown and described with reference to Figure 1. The second embodiment has latching element 130 mounted to the surrounding second frame 20. The latching element 130, also shown in Figures 4 and 4A, is provided with a tongue 131 which locates under lip 27 and a toe 132 with an engaging portion 134 which locates under the overhung latching portion 29 so as to retain the latching element 130 to the second frame 20. If required the latching element 130 may be more securely retained to the second frame by means of screw 61 fitted through hole 136 into the wall 64. Resilient arch portion 138 is provided to ensure the engaging portion 134 firmly abuts the overhung latching portion 29. The latching element 130 has a shaped latch 140 arranged to engage and abut channel edges 142 ofthe first frame 10. In use a bladed tool, such as the screwdriver blade 72 is inserted past the seal 93 to engage a receiving slot 144, which may then be moved in the direction of arrow 1R to disengage the shaped latch 140 from the channel edges 142 and hence release the first frame from the second frame. To enable the shaped latch 140 to disengage the channel edges 142, a resilient area 146 is provided between the end with the receiving slot 144 and the toe 132. The shaped latch 140 is positioned at a point intermediate the toe 132 and the end with the receiving slot 144. The tongue 131 is positioned at a point intermediate the toe 132 and the end with the receiving slot 144, and is arranged to provide support for vertical wall section 133 which is arranged to provide a spacing between the two frames. -

Claims

C LAIM S

1. A window frame comprising a glazable first frame and a surrounding second frame, the first frame being arranged to be releasably retained in the second frame by means of one or more latching elements, the or each element being arranged to be accessed by means of a tool inserted between the first and second frame, on an inside side of the window.

2. A window frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second frame has an overhung latching portion into which a toe of the or each element is arranged to engage to retain the frames in a latched together retention, and wherein the or each element has an arm extending away from the toe to an end toward said accessing position such that an inserted said tool can engage with the arm.

3. A window frame as claimed in claim 2, wherein the or each element is arranged to pivot for engagement and disengagement about a point between the toe and end.

4. A window frame as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second frame has an outstanding rib forming one surface for pivotal movement and wherein the or each element has a projection arranged to abut the rib to assist the pivotal movement.

5. A window frame as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each element is formed of a resilient material.

6. A window frame as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first frame and or the second frame is formed of a plastics material.

7. A window frame as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each element is retained to either one of the first or the second frames.

8. A window frame as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each element has an outstanding portion arranged to engage a receiving portion in the first frame. - 11

9. A window frame as claimed in claim 7, wherein the or each element is retained in the first frame by barbs.

10. A window frame as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the or each element is slackly fitted into the slot.

11. A window frame as claimed in any of claims 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the or each element is arranged to resiliently flex about an area between the toe and the end and wherein the or each element is arranged to latch onto the first frame.

12. A window frame as claimed in claim 11, wherein the or each element is arranged to latch onto the first frame at a point intermediate the toe and the end.

13. A window frame as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the element has a tongue extending from a point intermediate the toe and the end, which tongue is arranged to locate under a lip of the second frame.

14. A window frame substantially as described herein with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. I, . .

/ 20

14. A window frame substantially as described herein with reference to any one or more ofthe accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A window frame comprising a glazable first frame and a surrounding second frame, the first frame being arranged to be releasably retained in the second frame by means of one or more latching elements, the or each element being arranged to be accessed by means of a tool inserted between the first and second frame, on an inside side of the window, in such a way as to unlatch the first frame from the second frame by pressure on the or each latching element in a direction away from the glazable frame in the plane of the glazing.

20 5. A window frame as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each element is formed of a resilient material.

7. A window frame as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each element is retained to either one of the first or the second frames. l3

8. A window frame as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each element has an outstanding portion arranged to engage a receiving portion in the first frame.

1 O. A window frame as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the or each element is slackly fitted into the slot.