GB2416561A

GB2416561A - Frame perpendicular joint

Info

Publication number: GB2416561A
Application number: GB0513849A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rama Razeghi
Original assignee: Rehau Ltd
Current assignee: Rehau Ltd
Priority date: 2004-07-13
Filing date: 2005-07-07
Publication date: 2006-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-07
Also published as: GB2416561B; GB0513849D0; GB0415659D0

Abstract

A perpendicular frame joint, particularly a corner, has a bracket 20, preferably metal, with perpendicular limbs 25, 26 inserted into longitudinally extending slots 24 in inserts 15a, 15b, preferably formed of plastic. The inserts 15a, 15b, with bracket 20 attached, are inserted into the hollow frame members to form the joint.

Description

241 656 1 - 1

STRUCTURAL FRAME

This invention relates to a structural frame, such as for windows or doors.

A window frame generally comprises a rectangular outer frame for receiving glass, and a number of glazing bars for retaining the glass in the outer frame.

In the case of a window frame, the outer frame is generally made up of at least four outer frame members, namely a horizontal bottom rail, a lo horizontal top rail, and two vertical jambs, connected together at their ends such that they form the rectangular outer frame. Those faces of each of the top and bottom rails and the two jambs which face the exterior include integral glazing beads. In order to retain the outer frame members, that is, the top and bottom rails and the two jambs, in place, a corner connecting piece is provided at each corner of the window frame. A respective corner connecting piece is located at each corner, where the end of a rail and a jamb meet, and engages with the end of the rail and the jamb to thereby retain the two together and thus ultimately form the outer frame itself. It will be appreciated that, whilst the corner connecting piece may be used in no conjunction with a rectangular shaped outer frame comprising two vertically orientated jambs, a bottom rail and a top rail, it may also be used with different types of outer frame, for example those comprising multiple jambs and/or rails.

In order to install the window, glass is placed within the outer frame such that the perimetric edges of the exterior face of the glass abut the integral glazing beads of the outer frame members. The integral glazing beads overlap the perimetric edges of the exterior face of the glass, and separate internal glazing beads are then attached to the outer frame along the entire length of all of the perimetric edges of the interior face of the so glass, along the length of each outer frame member. The internal glazing - 2 beads overlap the perimetric edges of the interior face of the glass to thereby retain the glass in position within the outer frame.

A known connection arrangement between a jamb and a rail of a typical window frame is illustrated with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows a portion of the outer frame, represented by reference numeral 1. The portion of the frame 1 shown in Figure 1 is a corner portion of the frame, and illustrates one corner of the frame for receiving glass (not shown). The frame portion 1 comprises main frame members, made of extruded plastics material, in the form of a to vertically orientated jamb 2, and a horizontally orientated bottom rail 3.

Both the horizontally orientated bottom rail 3 and the vertically orientated jamb 2 are hollow in section and have main channels 4a and 4b respectively, running along their length. As can be clearly seen from Figure 2 in particular, an elongate metal reinforcement member 10 is located in Is the channel 4a of the rail 3 and a similar elongate metal reinforcement member 10 (not visible) is located in the channel 4b of the jamb 2. To eliminate the need for corner welding of the bottom rail 3 and the jamb 2, a corner connecting piece 6 is provided, which includes two mutually perpendicular limbs 7 and 8 which bridge the corner of the frame portion 1.

no Limb 7 of corner connecting piece 6 locates in the reinforcement member of rail 3, and limb 8 of corner connecting piece 6 locates in the reinforcement member 10 of jamb 2. The various components of the frame portion 1 are then screwed together with screws 35 and 45, and in this way, the bottom rail 3 and jamb 2 are maintained in position such that they are us substantially perpendicular to each other.

In order to provide better resistance to wind forces, and in order to accommodate the weight of the glass, a generally L-shaped metal corner bracket 9 is provided in order to strengthen the corner joint. The bracket 9 is L-shaped, comprising respective limbs 36 and 37. The limb 36 of JO bracket 9 is screwed directly into the bottom rail 3 and the limb 37 of 3 bracket 9 is screwed directly into jamb 2.

When fitted, the glass abuts against a seal (not shown) fitted in a slot 60 in an integral glazing bead in the form of an upstanding portion 61 of the rail 3 and a corresponding upstanding portion 62 of the jamb 2. The s glass is retained in place by an internal glazing bead in the form of an elongate retainer member (not shown) fitted in slot 63 in rail 3 and corresponding slot 64 in jamb 2.

Although the connection arrangement described above provides a reasonably strong connection between the various outer frame members, it to suffers from the disadvantage that the bracket 9, when in situ, does not lie flush against either the bottom rail 3 or the jamb 2 but instead stands proud. This can cause problems, since the glass is generally installed in the frame such that the edges of the glass overlie the metal bracket 9, and are thus raised above the outer-frame members, when the glass is in situ, is by the limbs of the bracket 9. This results in the glass size potentially having to be altered in order to accommodate this. In addition, a gap is formed between the edges of the glass and the outer frame members and rainwater and draughts etc. may pass through this gap, into the interior of the building. Furthermore, the presence of the bracket 9 may obstruct the drainage path of the window frame. In addition, the use of the bracket 9 in this way prevents the use of packing elements, which are used to help keep the glass in place, near the corners of the frame.

The present invention seeks to eliminate or reduce at least the abovedescribed disadvantages, providing an easy to install reinforcement of a window frame, and which allows for secure retention of the glass in the window frame.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a structural frame comprising an outer frame made up of hollow elements, and a corner connection assembly for joining the hollow elements at each so corner of the frame, each corner connection assembly comprising a - 4 reinforcement bracket having mutually perpendicular legs and, for each leg, an insert having a longitudinally extending slot in which the respective leg locates, and wherein the exterior shape of each insert is such as to locate with the hollow interior of a respective element.

s In many cases, the hollow elements making up the outer frame will be reinforced by a rigid reinforcing member, usually of metal such as steel.

The reinforcing member is often itself hollow and is a fairly close fit within the hollow element. Therefore the inserts may conveniently have an exterior shape and size to locate snugly within the reinforcing member, thus to securely locating the insert, and hence the bracket, with respect to the hollow element.

Securing of the inserts and the legs of the bracket against axial movement - i.e. pulling out of the end of the hollow member - may be achieved simply by screws or similar means passing through suitable Is screw holes in the hollow elements, thence through corresponding lined- up holes in the reinforcing member (if fitted), insert and bracket leg. Greater security against axial movement can be achieved by providing that at least one leg of the reinforcement bracket is formed with a step defining a shoulder and wherein the corresponding formation in the insert has a so complementary shape whereby the reinforcement bracket is secured against axial movement within the formation of the plastics insert.

Preferably the step is formed on that leg of the reinforcement bracket which is inserted into the horizontal element (i.e. the top or bosom rail) .

Preferably the inserts are made of a material which is slightly as compressible so that, when pushed into the end of the respective hollow element during manufacture or installation, it becomes securely located within the interior. A preferred material is plastics material. A preferred material for the reinforcement bracket is metal, for example steel.

Advantageously, the slot in each insert opens longitudinally of the so insert so that the respective leg of the reinforcing bracket can be inserted - 5 into the slot in a sideways direction - i.e. laterally to the insert.

Preferably the hollow elements making up the frame are of elongate extruded material, typically plastics material, although light metal such as aluminium is possible.

s An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals are employed to identify like components: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a known window frame; lo Figure 2 is a sectional view of an outer frame member of the window frame of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a window frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a sectional view of an outer frame member of the window frame of Figure 2; Figure 5 is an end view of one end of a plastics insert; Figure 6 is an end view of the opposite end of the plastics insert of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a side view of the plastics insert, along the arrow A of no Figure 6; and Figure 8 is a side view of the bracket forming part of the window frame of Figure 3 in situ in the plastics inserts of the same Figure.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, a portion of a window frame is indicated generally by reference numeral 11. The portion of the window us frame 11 comprises extruded plastics outer frame members in the form of elongate hollow sectional elements comprising a substantially vertically orientated jamb 12 and a substantially horizontally orientated bosom rail 13. It is to be understood that, whilst a portion of a window frame is generally referred to herein, the portion is intended to be a part of a so complete window frame comprising two jambs, a bosom rail and a top rail, - 6 connected together at the four corners thereof to form a rectangular outer frame. However, it is also to be understood that the portion may be a part of a complete window frame comprising any number of jambs and/or rails.

The jamb 12 and rail 13 are each hollow in section, having main s channels 14b and 14a respectively, running along their length. A hollow elongate metal reinforcement member 21a is located in the channel 14a of the rail 13, and a similar hollow elongate metal reinforcement member 21b is located in the channel 14b of the jamb 12. The reinforcements members 21a and 21b add strength to the frame 11 and have a shape and size such to that they approximately correspond with the size and shape of the interior of the main channels 14a and 14b of the rail 13 and jamb 12 respectively.

As can be clearly seen from Figure 4 in particular, the main channels 14a and 14b of the outer frame members have a dog-leg type shape when seen in section, and the reinforcement members 21a, 21b are thus similarly s shaped.

The window frame 11 further includes an elongate plastics insert 15a located inside the channel 14a of the bottom rail 13, and an elongate plastics insert 15b located inside the channel 14b of the vertical jamb 12.

The two opposite end views of the insert 15b are illustrated in Figures 5 ho and 6 respectively. As can be clearly seen from Figure 4 these plastic inserts are preferably of a size and shape such that they fit snugly inside the corresponding metal reinforcement member 21 a, 21 b.

For this purpose, and as can be seen from Figures 3 to 6, each plastic insert 15a, 15b is of a general dog-leg type shape when seen in as section. In section, the plastics inserts 15a and 15b each have a main stem 22, and bifurcated limbs 23 protruding from ends 27 and 28 of the stem 22.

As can be seen from Figures 5, 6 and 7 in particular, the main stem 22 of insert 15b includes a straight longitudinal slot 24, extending in depth from one end 28 of the stem 22 to near the other end 27 of the stem 22.

The slot extends axially along almost the complete length of the insert 15b, opening into one end 30 as shown in Figure 6 and extending to near the opposite end 31, as shown in Figures 5 and 7.

Plastics insert 15a has a very similar shape to insert 15b, as s illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 8 in particular. Thus insert 15a includes an attachment formation 32, which is located at the end 30 of the plastics insert 15a. In addition, the main stem 22 of insert 15a includes a longitudinal slot 24 extending from one end 28 of the stem 22 to near the opposite end 27 of the stem 22. The slot 24 extends along almost the to complete length of the insert 15a, opening into end 30 as shown in Figure 6 and extending to near the opposite end 31, as shown in Figure 8.

However, unlike in the insert 15b, the slot 24 executes a dog-leg close to the end 30 as shown in Figure 8. The purpose of this is explained below.

Joining the interiors of the bottom rail 13 and vertical jamb 12 is a Is generally L-shaped metal bracket 20 comprising legs 25 and 26 arranged such that they are substantially perpendicular to each other. Leg 25 of bracket 20 locates in the longitudinal slot 24 of insert 15a, and leg 26 of bracket 20 locates in the longitudinal slot 24 of insert 15b. The slots 24 open along the longitudinal direction of the inserts which ensures that the no legs 25, 26 of the L-shaped bracket 20 may be respectively inserted, sideways on, into the slots 24 of the inserts 15a and 15b.

As can be seen from Figures 3 and 8 that end of leg 25 which is closest to the corner includes a step defining a shoulder 29, near the junction between the two legs 25 and 26. The shape of the leg 25, us including the shoulder 29, thus matches the dog-leg formed in the slot 24 in the insert 15a. In this way, the reinforcement bracket 20 is secured against axial movement within the slot 24 of insert 15a. The presence of the shoulder 29 provides further resistance to pulling forces which tend to pull the jamb 12 away from the bottom rail 13 when the main frame members so 12 and 13 are in situ. Because of the shape of the bracket 20, if the jamb - 8 12 is pulled away from the bottom rail 13, the bracket 20 Is prevented from dislocating from the bottom rail 12 by the presence of the shoulder 29.

Insert 15a, and in particular the attachment formation 32, and insert 15b, are shaped such that they are connectable to a correspondingly shaped corner connecting piece 16. The corner connecting piece 16 is shaped to accommodate the metal bracket 20. Thus, in order to install the window frame 11, the bracket 20 is inserted sideways into each of the slots 24 in the plastics inserts 15a and 15b, and then the corner connecting piece 16 is put in place. The inserts themselves are then pushed into the lo open ends of the metal reinforcement members 21a and 21b of the rail 13 and the jamb 12 respectively. Insert 15a has a small flange at its end 30 to enable accurate location of the insert within the reinforcement member.

When the bracket 20 is in situ, it provides added strength to the frame 11.

Screws 50 are then inserted through screw holes (not shown) in the rail 13, Is the metal reinforcement member 21a, the plastics insert 15a, and finally the metal bracket 20. Screws (not shown) are then inserted through screw holes in the jamb 12 and through corresponding screw holes in the various components of the jamb 12, in a similar fashion. In this way, the various components of the portion of the window frame 11 are maintained in position. The corner connecting piece 16 is then attached to the frame portion 11, and then glass (not shown) is installed, and maintained in position by separate glazing beads in the manner explained previously.

The window frame as described above and in particular the arrangement of components at each corner of the window frame ensures that each joint between the outer frame members, i.e. each joint between the end of a bottom rail and the end of a jamb, is strong enough to withstand the pulling forces which tend to pull the joint apart. In having a flattened shape, the reinforcement bracket 20 also provides resistance to bending moments and torsional forces (torque) which tend the twist the JO outer frame members. Bending moments tend to originate from dead - 9 - loads, and torsional forces tend to originate from pulling on a handle of the window. The presence of the shoulder 29, in the bracket 20 provides a more secure corner joint between the horizontally and vertically orientated outer frame members than would otherwise be provided by having only s screws going through each component.

Furthermore, since the bracket locates inside the rail and the jamb; in particular, within the slots 24 made in the plastics inserts, and not exterior to the rails or the jambs, the presence of the bracket does not reduce the effectiveness of the seal between the glazing panel and the lo window frame and nor does it alter the position or the sizing of the glass.

The metal bracket 20 is easy to install, being simply slid sideways into the slot 24 in each of the plastic inserts 1 5a, 1 5b in the bottom rail and the jamb respectively, prior to insertion of the plastics inserts into the outer frame members, with no complex fitting being required. r -

Claims

1. A structural frame comprising an outer frame made up of hollow elements, and a corner connection assembly for joining the hollow elements at each corner of the frame, each corner connection assembly comprising a reinforcement bracket having mutually perpendicular legs and, for each leg, an insert having a longitudinally extending slot in which the respective leg locates, and wherein the exterior shape of each insert is such as to locate with the hollow interior of a respective element.

2. A structural frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein, within each hollow element, a hollow reinforcing member of rigid material is located, and wherein said insert is located within said reinforcing member.

Is

3. A structural frame as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the slot in each Insert opens longitudinally of the insert to enable the respective leg of the reinforcement bracket to be inserted into the slot in a direction lateral to the insert.

4. A structural frame as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein at least one leg of the reinforcement bracket is formed with a step defining a shoulder and wherein the slot in the corresponding insert has a complementary shape whereby the leg of the reinforcement bracket is secured against axial movement.

5. A structural frame as claimed in claim 4 wherein the slot has a dogleg shape to closely match that of the shoulder of the reinforcement bracket leg. \ - 11

6. A structural frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the insert is made of plastics material.

7. A structural frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the reinforcement bracket is made of metal.

8. A structural frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the hollow elements comprise elongate extrusions.

lo

9. A structural frame as claimed in claim 8 wherein the extrusions are of plastics material.