GB2415205A - Adjustable frame, e.g. cavity closure - Google Patents

Abstract

An adjustable frame, e.g. a cavity closure, comprises a first elongate frame component 12, a component 26 mounted to component 12, and a second elongate frame component 20 mounted to component 26, component 26 being slidable relative to at least one of 12 or 20 to allow adjustment of their relative positions. As shown, the members 12, 20 are at right angles, but they could be coaxial. Flanges 22 serve to mount a window: block 34 is of insulating material, and ties may fit into grooves 24 to retain the cavity closure in a wall opening.

Description

Adjustable Frame Arrangement This invention relates to a frame

arrangement, and in particular to a frame arrangement capable of providing a degree of adjustment. The invention is particularly applicable to cavity closure arrangements, but may be used in a range of other applications.

It is well known, in the construction of cavity walled buildings, to use a cavity closure to close the cavity around apertures, for example door or window openings. The cavity closures used serve to maintain the thermal insulating properties ofthe cavity wall and serve as a mounting to which a window or door frame can subsequently be fitted.

Cavity closures are increasingly commonly prefabricated into square or rectangular frames for incorporation into the aperture of a cavity wall. Where prefabricated cavity closure fraTnes are used, there is the risk that the aperture into which the cavity closure frame is to be fitted may be slightly larger or smaller than the frame which, obviously, is inconvenient as a replacement frame of an appropriate size will need to be sourced. Similar problems are faced where other prefabricated frame arrangements are used.

According to the present invention there is provided a frame arrangement comprising a first elongate frame component, a slide component mounted to the first elongate frame component, and a second elongate frame component mounted to the slide component, the slide component being slidable relative to at least one ofthe first and second elongate frame l components so as to allow adjustment ofthe relative positions thereof.

The use of such an arrangement is advantageous in that the size of a prefabricated frame, for example a cavity closure frame, can be adjusted to fit the aperture of a cavity wall.

Each frame component conveniently includes a region of box-like crosssection, the slide component conveniently including an insulating element receivable within an end part of the region of box-like cross-section to close the said end part. Where the frame is used as a cavity closure, the insulating element further maintains the integrity of the thermal insulating properties of the cavity closure between the slide component and the associated frame component.

Additional elongate frame components and slide components may be provided to form a square or rectangular frame. However the frame may also be used in applications in which, for example, the cavity in only three sides of an opening are to be closed.

The slide component may be arranged so as to hold the first and second components at a fixed angle of, typically, 90 relative to one another. Alternatively, the slide component may be arranged to hold the first and second components coaxially with one another.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a frame arrangement in the form of a cavity closure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view, to an enlarged scale, illustrating part of the cavity closure of Figure l, Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 illustrating an alternative embodiment; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an alternative arrangement, and Figure 5 is a view illustrating a further embodiment.

The cavity closure 10 illustrated in Figure I comprises a first elongate cavity closure member 12 and a second elongate cavity closure member 14. Additional cavity closure members 16, 18 are also provided, the cavity closure members being arranged to form a frame of generally square or rectangular form. As illustrated most clearly in Figure 2, the cavity closure members each comprise a region 20 of generally box-like crosssection, the region 20 being formed integrally with a flange region 22, a surface of which is provided with ribs or serrations for use in the mounting of a window frame to the cavity closure.

Opposite side regions of the region 20 are shaped to define elongate reentrant recesses 24 adapted to receive, in use, the end regions of suitable ties or other components (not shown), parts of which are incorporated into the cavity wall with which the cavity closure is to be used for use in securing the cavity closure in position.

For convenience, the cavity closure members 12, 14, 16, 18 each comprise lengths of an extruded plastics material of the desired cross-section. Although the use of extruded plastics material is particularly convenient for this application, it will be appreciated that the invention could also be used with components constructed from other materials or formed in other ways, and that components of other cross-sectional shapes may be used.

In addition to the cavity closure members 12, 14, 16, 18, the cavity closure 10 further comprises angled slide components 26. Each angled component 26 takes the form of two generally L-shaped side regions 28 inter-connected by a pair of inter-connecting walls 30. The side members 28 each include limbs 32 dimensioned to be receivable within the end parts of the recesses 24 of the cavity closure components. The fit of the limbs 32 in the recesses 24 is such as to permit sliding movement of the limbs 32 and hence the angled components 26, relative to the cavity closure components. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the angled component 26 can be moved in a telescopic fashion relative to the cavity closure components.

As shown in Figure 2, between a pair of the limbs 32 is located a block 34 of a suitable thermally insulating material. The block 34 is dimensioned to be receivable within the end part of the region 20 of the first cavity closure member 12, the fit of the block 34 in the region 20 being such as to restrict relative sliding movement between the angled component 26 and the first cavity closure component 12.

In the assembled condition illustrated in Figure 1, one ofthe pairs ofthe limbs 32 of the angled component 26 is fully inserted into the recesses 24 of the second cavity closure component 14, these limbs 32 being secured in position, for example by a suitable plastics welding technique, by using a suitable adhesive, or simply by being a friction fit such that removal of the angled component 26 from the second cavity closure component 14 is not permitted and such that relative sliding movement between these components is also not permitted. The other pair of limbs 32 of the angled component 26 are received within the recesses 24 ofthe first cavity closure member 12 in such a manner that the relative positions ofthe first cavity closure component 12 and angled component 26 can be adjusted to allow a degree of adjustment of the overall height of the cavity closure 10 illustrated in Figure 1.

In use, during construction of a cavity wall, where an aperture for use in the form of a window opening is to be provided, the cavity closure 10 is built into the wall with the region 20 located between the leaves of the cavity wall and the flange 22 sitting on or against the parts of the cavity wall defining the aperture. At appropriate intervals suitable ties are used to secure the cavity closure 10 in position. As the construction ofthe cavity wall continues and the final size of the aperture can be determined, the height of the cavity closure is adjusted by sliding movement ofthe angled components 26 relative to the upright cavity closure components, thereby achieving adjustment of the vertical position of the second cavity closure component 14 to allow accurate positioning of the second cavity closure component 14 relative to the cavity wall.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement illustrated in Figure I permits adjustment of the size of the cavity closure 10 in only a single direction. Figure 3 illustrates a modification in which an additional block 34 ofthermally insulating material is located upon the angled component 26 thereby allowing adjustment ofthe dimensions ofthe overall cavity closure 10 in two orthogonal directions.

In the arrangements described hereinbefore, the block 34 is conveniently of a polystyrene or similar material secured to the angled component 26, for example by being a friction fit or being adhered thereto. The block 34 is a friction fit within the region 20 of the associated cavity closure member. Although the use of a block 34 of a polystyrene or similar material is convenient, it will be appreciated that other materials may be used.

Further, it is possible that the block 34 could be formed integrally with the angled component 26, for example forming an integral moulding therewith. Further, the block 34 need not, depending upon the materials and formation techniques used, be of solid form, but rather could take the form of, for example, a region of hollow square or rectangular section adapted to fit within the region 20 of the associated cavity closure member.

The arrangements described hereinbefore are adapted specifically for use in new build applications. The invention is not restricted to the construction of new build cavity walls, but may also be retro-fitted into existing walls, if desired. For example, where a cavity closure is to be retrofitted to an existing cavity wall prior to the fitting of replacement windows thereto, a cavity closure ofthe general type described hereinbefore with reference either to Figures I and 2 or Figure 3 may be introduced into the window opening and then 10the angled components 26 moved relative to the cavity closure components 12, 14 to expand the cavity closure to fit the window opening. Such expansion would not be possible with a typical, pre-fabricated, fixed size cavity closure and so the retro-fitting of such a cavity closure would not be possible in a simple and convenient manner.

15Unlike the fitting of a cavity closure in a new build application, ties or the like would probably not be used to secure the cavity closure in position. However, if desired, other techniques may be employed to secure the cavity closure in position.

Once fitted in the window opening, a window frame can be secured to the cavity closure in the usual manner. Clearly, the retro-fitting of a cavity closure allows the benefits ofthe provision of a cavity closure to be achieved in, for example, older properties in which a cavity closure was not originally provided.

Figure 4 illustrates an arrangement which in many respects is the same as the arrangements described hereinbefore. The only significant difference between the arrangement of Figure 4 and those of Figures 1 to 3 is that the Figure 4 arrangement includes an additional detent component 36 located between the limbs 32 ofthe angled slide component 26. The detent component 36 includes a base 38 from which extend legs 40.

Each leg 40 includes a cranked region 42.

In use, upon initial assembly the legs 40 are located within the associated cavity closure member. On expansion, the legs 40 are pulled, partially, therefrom and spring apart once the cranked regions 42 are pulled from the cavity closure member. As a result, reverse movement (to contract the frame) is not permitted.

A block 34 of a thermally insulating material may be located between the legs 40, 1 S if desired.

In all of the arrangements described above the slide component is designed to hold two frame components substantially perpendicularly to one another. In the arrangement of Figure 5, two coaxial frame components 44, 46 are interconnected by slide components 48 so as to allow relative movement therebetween to allow the frame of which the components 44, 46 form part to be expanded. The components 48 are conveniently fixed to one ofthe 44 46 for example by adhesive, and moveable relative to the other. After components, expansion, a space is formed between the components 44, 46 into which a filler component can be fitted to finish the frame and prevent retraction thereof If desired, a detent arrangement may be provided to hold the filler component 50 in position. The detent arrangement may comprise an elongate rib formed on the component or slide components 48 receivable within a corresponding recess formed in the opposing component.

As with the arrangements described hereinbefore, a thermally insulating block may be carried by the filler component 50 so as to maintain the thermal insulating properties of the frame.

Although the arrangements described herein are of cavity closures in the form of square or rectangular frames, it will be appreciated that the invention is also applicable to cavity closures of, for example, threesided form. Where cavity closures ofthree-sided form are used, then the free ends of the relevant cavity closure members may be closed in any convenient manner, for example by the location of a block of polystyrene or a similar material within the end of the box-like section of the associated cavity closure member.

A number of modifications or alterations may be made to the arrangements described hereinbefore and it will be appreciated that the introduction of such modifications or alterations does not depart from the scope of the invention described herein. Further, although the description hereinbefore is of frame arrangements in the form of cavity closures, it will be appreciated that the invention is also applicable to, for example, door or window Moraines or other forms of frame.

Claims (9)

1. A frame arrangement comprising a first elongate frame component, a slide component mounted to the first elongate frame component, and a second elongate frame component mounted to the slide component, the slide component being slidable relative to at least one ofthe first and second elongate frame components so as to allow adjustment of the relative positions thereof.

2. An arrangement according to Claim 1, wherein each frame component includes a region of box-like cross-section, the slide component including an insulating element receivable within an end part ofthe region of box-like cross-section to close the said end part.

3. An arrangement according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising at least one additional frame component and slide component.

4. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the slide component is arranged to hold two adjacent frame components perpendicularly to one another.

5. An arrangement according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the slide component is arranged to hold two adjacent frame components coaxially.

6. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a retainer arrangement to hold the frame components in their expanded configuration.

7. An arrangement according to Claim 6, wherein the retainer arrangement comprises a detent component having at least one cranked limb.

8. An arrangement according to Claim 6, wherein the retainer arrangement comprises a filler component.

9. A frame arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings