GB2424440A - Window frame fixing system comprising releasable clips - Google Patents

Abstract

A window member 14 and a frame member 12 are held together by a base clip 26 and a locking clip 38, both located in use in a gap 15 between the members. The base clip 26 is held within a channel 20 in an extrusion 16 which in turn is fitted to the window member 14. The locking clip 38 is inserted into the gap in the direction of arrow A, and has ratchet teeth (40 fig 2) which engage corresponding pawls (34 fig 1) on the base clip 26 to provide a ratchet effect during insertion. A hooked portion 42 at one end of the locking clip engages a first face of the frame member during insertion, to cause a flange 18 of the window member 14 to be held to a face of the frame member opposite the first face. The clips may be released by use of tools also disclosed.

Description

FIXING SYSTEM

This invention relates to a fixing system for fixing together two members in a generally edge-to-edge relationship to restrict relative movement in at least one direction.

There are many instances where it is required to fix two members in edgeto-edge relationship. In a typical application it may be required to fit a window panel or other panel within an aperture in another panel or wall member.

Thus, typical examples include securing window panels in the wall of a caravan, but there are many other similar requirements. In a typical such example, a window frame has on the outside an externally directed flange which rests on the periphery surrounding the window aperture when the window is inserted into the aperture, thus locating the window in one direction. In order to secure the window in the other direction some form of fixing is required. It is desirable for this fixing to provide secure coupling, for it to be easily applied and to be relatively inexpensive. Furthermore, in some circumstances it may be required to remove the window for replacement or maintenance and in these instances it is desirable for the fixing to be releasable.

Accordingly, in one aspect this invention provides, a fixing system for being disposed in use in a gap between opposing edges of two members in generally edge-to-edge relationship, to restrict relative movement thereof in at least one direction, said system including a base clip for being disposed in or adjacent the said gap and for being connected in use to a first of said members, and a locking clip for being introduced into said gap in an insertion direction releasably to engage said base clip and having an engagement surface to be pushed into engagement with a second of said members thereby to constrain relative movement in at least said one direction, the releasable engagement being such that said locking clip may be released by resilient deformation of at least a portion of at least one of said clips.

The base clip may be connected to said one member in various ways, for example by a suitable screw fixing, glueing, welding, etc; alternatively the base clip may include one or more captive portions so that the base clip can be connected to the associated member by sliding the or each captive portion into a re-entrant type channel forming part of, or connected to, said one member. This feature allows the base clip to be slid to the position required for the fixing.

The base clip may include a support surface for engaging or facing the edge of the other member. In this way, the base clip and support surface may act as a spacer between the one member to which it is attached, and the other member.

The base clip may conveniently include an elongate hooked stem which extends out of the gap, with the hooked portion thereof contacting in use a surface on said one member, or a structural member attached thereto. The hooked portion gives a clear visual indication of the location of the base clip and furthermore may be used to shift the position of the base clip where it is received in a channel.

Preferably, at least one of the base clip and said locking clip includes a detent arrangement whereby the locking clip may be releasably engaged at any one of a number of different positions in said insertion direction. This feature means that the locking clip can be pushed tightly into engagement with the other member securely to locate it.

Although the detent arrangement may take many forms, in a particularly preferred form it includes a series of ratchet teeth on one of the clips which engage in use a pawl on the other clip, whereby in normal operation relative movement of the locking clip in the insertion direction is allowed by the ratchet and pawl, but movement in the opposite direction is substantially prevented. This ratchet mechanism allows the locking clip to be introduced into the gap and then clicked' into position tightly to engage the other member. To assist this, it is preferred for the locking clip to include a resiliently flexible, hooked portion, for engaging said other member so that the hooked portion can apply a residual clamping force to the other member.

Preferably the hooked portion of the locking clip includes means for securing the said portion to the second member.

Although a single ratchet system could be used, it is preferred for there to be two series of ratchet teeth, which may be generally parallel, on one of the clips which engage in use one or more respective pawls on the other clip.

Preferably the two series of ratchet teeth are formed on two spaced arms, and the one or more pawls comprises two spaced pawls.

At least one of the arms may be arranged to be resiliently deformable so that, in use, the ratchet teeth may be disengaged from the pawl(s).

Preferably, where two arms are provided they are resiliently urgeable together or apart by a release tool to disengage from the or each pawl.

The or each series of ratchet teeth may be provided on the locking clip and the or each pawl to may be provided on the base clip.

The base clip and br the locking clip can be formed from a folded metal sheet material.

According to a second aspect the invention provides a fixing system for being disposed in use in between opposing edges of two members in generally edge-to-edge relationship, to restrict relative movement thereof in at least one direction, said system including a base clip for being connected in use to a first of said members, and a locking clip for being introduced into said gap in an insertion direction releasably to engage said base clip and to be pushed into engagement with a second of said members thereby to constrain relative movement in at least said one direction, at least one of the base clip and the locking clip including a detent arrangement whereby the locking clip may be releasably engaged at any one of a number of different positions in the insertion direction.

The invention also extends to an insertion tool for use in conjunction with the fixing system according to any preceding claim, the tool including a reaction means for engaging in use said first member and a drive element driveably mounted with respect to said reaction element and operable to drive said locking clip in the direction of insertion into engagement with said base clip.

Preferably the drive element is driveably mounted by means of a rack and pinion arrangement.

Alternatively the drive element is driveably mounted by means of a toggle mechanism The reaction means may be releasably retained against separation movement with respect to said member.

The insertion tool may be operable such that the first member is engaged and forced in a reaction direction while the locking clip is pushed in substantially the opposite direction to the reaction direction thereby causing a portion of the first member to be forced against the second member.

The invention further extends to a release tool for use in conjunction with the fixing system mentioned above, the tool comprising a pair of jaws movable away from each other and arranged to act on one of the clips to release the engagement and allow withdrawal of the locking clip from the gap The invention extends yet further to a fixing system, an insertion tool or a release tool substantially as herein described with reference to figures 1 to 8.

Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the following

description in which:

Figures la and lb show perspective views of a base clip which forms part of a first embodiment of a fixing system according to the invention; Figure 1 c is a view in the direction of arrow A in Figures 1 a and 1 b; Figure id shows a blank of material for forming into the base clip shown in Figures la and ib; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a locking clip which co-operates with the base clip shown in Figures la, lb and ic, together forming a fixing system according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the fixing system components shown in Figures 1 a, 1 b, Ic and 2 in use, securing a window panel into a window frame aperture, prior to insertion of a locking clip; Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the fixing system components shown in Figures Ia, ib, ic and 2 in use, securing a window panel into a window aperture frame after insertion of the locking clip; Figure 5 is a general perspective view of a second embodiment of fixing system in accordance with this invention showing a further base clip and a further locking clip resiliently engaged; Figure 6 is a section view showing the fixing system of Figure 5 in use to secure a window panel in a window aperture, prior to insertion of the locking clip; Figures 7(a), (b) and (c) are plan, end and side views respectively of the base clip in the arrangement of Figures 5 and 6; Figures 8(a), (b) and (c) are plan, end and side views respectively of the locking clip used in the arrangements of Figures 5 and 6; Figure 9 is a perspective view of an insertion tool for inserting the locking clips, of above-mentioned embodiments; Figure 10 is a further perspective view of the tool of Figure 9 in use; and Figures 11 and 12 show perspective views of a further insertion tool and the tool in use, respectively, for the insertion of locking clips.

Referring to Figures, a typical application of the fixing system of this invention is shown in Figures 3 and 4 which shows a detail of a window panel member 10 fitted in an aperture defined by a window frame 12. The window panel has an extruded Upvc section 14 to which is attached an aluminium extrusion 16. The Upvc section 14 has an outer flange 18 which sits on the external surface of the frame 12 to locate the window panel 10 against inward movement. The aluminium extrusion 16 extends around all sides of the window panel and comprises a flattened section channel 20 which faces the inner edge of the window frame 12 and a narrow channel 22 for receiving a window trim fixture (not shown). A gap 15 exists between the aluminium extrusion 16 and the frame 12.

Figure id shows a flat blank of sheet metal material which has been cut to shape by pressing The intended fold lines for the blank are shown as dotted lines in the drawing.

Referring additionally to Figures la, lb, Ic and 2, the now folded sheet metal base clip 26 is securable to the extrusion 16 and window panel 10 prior to offering-up the window panel to the frame 12. The base clip 26 has a central portion 24 which may be attached to the extrusion and panel at any position along the channel 20 and is held in place by means of a screw or other fastening inserted into aperture 21. Raised portions 30 of the base clip act to substantially fill the gap 15 between the window panel and the frame so that a snug fit is achieved when the window panel is offered-up to the frame. The base clip 26 has two pawls 34 extending from the central portion 24, in the form of two tongues of sheet material folded such that they are upstanding at approximately 90 from the central portion, in two planes which intercept.

The base clip 26 further includes two protrusions 36 which in use can be seen in the gap 15 and indicate the position of the base clip along the channel when the window panel is assembled in the frame.

The locking clip 38 comprises two parallel arms 39 with inwardly directed ratchet teeth 40 inclined to engage the pawls 34 such that a ratchet effect is provided which prevents movement of the locking clip in a direction away from the insertion direction as indicated by arrow A. The locking arms extend back and merge to provide a resiliently deformable hooked portion 42. The locking clip is made of a springy material such that the arms 40 can be resiliently deformed so that they are no longer in contact with the pawls 34 so that they can be moved relative to each other.

In use, a number of aluminium extrusions 16 are fitted to the Upvc sections 14 making up the window panel and a suitable number of base clips 26 are fixed to the aluminium extrusion into the required positions. The window panel is then offered-up to the aperture in the frame 12 so that the raised portions 30 are in contact with the outer periphery of the window frame 12. At this juncture the window is held lightly in position by the spacing function carried out by the base clips 26. Whilst holding the frame in position, a locking clip 38 is offered up to the base clip in the gap 15, and the arms 39 thereof pass into the spaces 37 between the central portion 24 and the raised portions 30 so that the arms 39 engage and ratchet along the pawls 34. Protrusions 36 will be located on each side of the arms 39 as they are inserted in the direction of arrow A. Tabs 31 and 33 guide the arms 39 during insertion into spaces 37, shown most clearly in Figures la, lb and ic. The locking clip 38 is pushed firmly into engagement until the hooked portion 42 engages the frame 12 so that the frame is clamped between the flange 18 on the one side and the hooked portion 42 on the other. Further force can be applied so that the hooked arm deflects resiliently to ensure that it provides a residual clamping force of the required magnitude.

A further embodiment of the fixing system is illustrated in Figures 5 to 8.

In this embodiment the window panel 10 and frame 12 are as described above, however, the aluminium extrusion 16' (Figure 6) and clip parts are modified in comparison with the extrusion 16 and clip parts of Figures 1 to 4.

The aluminium extrusion 16' has a re-entrant channel 20' which faces the inner edge of the window frame 12 as well as a narrow channel 22 for receiving a trim piece. The re-entrant channel 20' receives in use a modified base clip 126.

Slideably housed in the re-entrant channel 20' are the two feet 124 of base clip 126 which is made of folded sheet metal also. The feet 124 have outwardly directed flanges 128 which sit under the lip of the re-entrant channel 20'. The feet are interconnected by a yoke portion 130 of generally Y- shape which is generally co-planar with the central portions 132 of the feet 124.

Upturned from each arm of the Y are respective pawls 134 which engage the locking clip in the same manner as described above. The stem 136 of the yoke extends out of the gap 15 between the window panel 10 and the frame 12 to rest on a surface of the aluminium extrusion 16' so that the position of the base clip 126 can be indicated. In order to strengthen the Y arrangement there is a co-planar bridge portion 37.

The locking clip 138 is substantially as described above. Two parallel arms 139 have inwardly directed ratchet teeth 140. The arms extend to, and merge at, a resilient hooked portion 142. This clip 138 also has a barb 144 extending from the hooked portion 142 such that the barb engages the frame 12 when the locking clip is assembled into the fixing position as described below.

During fitting of the window panel 10 into the frame 12 it is desirable to push the locking clip 26 or 126 firmly into place. To aid this insertion, a tool may be used.

Figures 9 to 12 illustrate two examples of such tools. The drawings show clips 26 and 38, but the tools shown can be used with clips 126 and 138 also.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10 there is shown an insertion tool 80 for assisting insertion of the locking clip 38 into engagement with the base clip 26.

For secure clamping of the window it is important that the window panel 10 is held against outward movement relative to the frame 12 whilst the locking clip 38 is pushed into position, otherwise insertion of the locking clip 38 could push the window panel 10 outwardly thus preventing a good firm clamp action between the hooked portion 42 and the exterior window flange 18.

The insertion tool comprises a retention finger 50 which hooks into the narrow channel 22 of the aluminium extrusion 16 (or 16') attached to the window panel. This hooking action is such that the finger 50 can exert an inwardly directed tension force on the window frame 10 during operation. The finger 50 is connected to or integral with the head 52.

The head 52 extends to a pivot connection 82. The connection 82 pivotally connects the head 52 with a handle 84. A further pivot connection 86 connects the handle 84 to a link 88. The link is connected to a carriage 56 by yet another pivot connection 90. The carriage is slideable along the head 52. In use rotation of the handle about connection 82 causes the sliding motion of the carriage along the head 52 and a toggle type action results due to the dimensions of the interconnected tool part. This toggle action causes the carriage to move only a short distance when compared with the distance moved by the handle and produces a mechanical advantage.

In operation, having fitted the window panel 10 carrying a number of base clips into the window frame 12 locking clips are lightly introduced by hand to engage the base clips 26. The insertion tool is then offered up and the finger hooked into the recess 22 and the tool slid along so that the drive surface 58 faces a clip. The carriage 56 is brought into engagement with the clip 38 and is then driven in the insertion direction A by a rotation of the handle 84. The locking clip 38 is driven fully into the gap 15, ratcheting with teeth 40 until it is fully home. The locking clip then exerts a clamping pressure between the hooked portion 42 and the flange 18.

Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, there is shown a further insertion tool again for assisting insertion of the locking clip into engagement with the base clip 26. This tool has a finger 150 for fitting into the channel 22 or 22' in the same manner as the finger 50 described above. Finger 150 is made integral with head 152 which receives an elongate rack 154. Slideably mounted on the rack 154 is a carriage 156, the forward end of which provides a drive surface 158 for engaging a hooked portion 142 of the locking clip 38. The carriage 156 rotatably supports a pinion 159 which engages the rack 154 and which is driveable by means of a hexagonal drive 60.

As described above the tool is positioned adjacent to the base clip 26.

The carriage 156 is then driven along the rack 154 by rotating the pinion using the hexagonal drive 160 to drive the locking clip 38 fully home and to exert the clamping pressure between the hooked portion 42, 142 and the flange 18.

The carriage is then run back and the insertion tool moved to repeat the operation as necessary around the window frame.

Whilst in many applications it would not be necessary to remove the window panel once attached, the fixing is designed to allow ready release if required. Thus, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 8(a) release tool in the form of a pair of circlip pliers 146, suitably modified, may be used to run two fingers 148 against the arms 140 of clip 138 and the pliers then operated to urge the fingers and the contacting arms 40 apart so that the ratchet teeth disengage the pawls so that the locking clip can be slid clear of the arrangement. The same tool can be used to release clip 38.

It will be appreciated that the base clips 26/1 26 and locking clips 38/1 38 can be exchanged in position. In that instance the frame 12 will include an alternative flange, equivalent to the flange 18 shown attached to the window panel 10 presently. Locking clip 38/138 would then clamp a window panel devoid of flange 18 to the inner side of the alternative flange attached to the frame 12.

Other modifications alternatives, variations etc will be apparent to the skilled addressee. For example the materials mentioned are examples only of a selection that would be readily apparent. The embodiments of the two clips shown are only examples of many different arrangements which could be used.

For example, a resilient element other than the hooked sections shown could be used and, if a ratchet arrangement is used, any number of cooperating pawis and teeth racks could be employed. As an alternative to a ratchet a screw thread or a like could be used.

Claims (26)

1. A fixing system for being disposed in use in a gap between opposing edges of two members in generally edge-to-edge relationship, to restrict relative movement thereof in at least one direction, said system including a base clip for being disposed in or adjacent said gap and for being connected in use to a first of said members, and a locking clip for being introduced into said gap in an insertion direction releasably to engage said base clip and having an engagement surface to be pushed into engagement with a second of said members thereby to constrain relative movement in at least said one direction, the releasable engagement being such that said locking clip may be released by resilient deformation of at least a portion of at least one of said clips.

2. A fixing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base clip is connectable to the first member by a screw fixing, glueing, welding, or like non moveable connection.

3. A fixing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base clip includes one or more captive portions, the base clip being connectable to the first member by sliding the or each captive portion into a channel, forming part of, or connected to, the first member.

4. A fixing system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base clip includes a support surface for engaging or facing the edge of the second member such that the base clip and support surface together act as a spacer between the first and second members.

5. A fixing system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base clip includes an elongate hooked stem which extends out of the gap, with the hooked portion of the stem being disposed in use at a surface of the first member, or a structural element attached thereto.

6. A fixing system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the hooked portion of the stem gives a visual indication of the location of the base clip in the gap and allows a user to shift the position of the base clip where it is received in a channel.

7. A fixing system as claimed in any preceding claims wherein at least one of the base clip and said locking clip includes a detent arrangement whereby the locking clip is releasably engagable at any one of a number of different positions in said insertion direction such that the locking clip can be pushed tightly into engagement with the second member securely to locate the locking clip.

8. A fixing system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the detent arrangement includes at least one series of ratchet teeth on one of the clips which engage in use at least one pawl on the other clip, whereby in normal operation relative movement of the locking clip in the insertion direction is allowed by the ratchet and pawl, but movement in the opposite direction is substantially prevented.

9. A fixing system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the locking clip includes a resiliently flexible, hooked portion, for engaging said second member so that the hooked portion of the locking clip can apply a residual clamping force to the second member acting in the direction of the insertion direction.

10. A fixing system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the hook portion of the locking clip includes means for securing the said portion to the second member.

11. A fixing system as claimed in any one of claims 8, 9 or 10 wherein two generally parallel series of ratchet teeth are provided on one of the clips, which engage in use one or more respective pawls on the other clip.

12. A fixing system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the two series of ratchet teeth are formed on two spaced arms, and the one or more pawis comprises two spaced pawis.

13. A fixing system as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein at least one of the arms is arranged to be resiliently deformable so that, in use, the ratchet teeth may be disengaged from the pawl(s).

14. A fixing system as claimed in claim 13 wherein, where two arms are provided they are resiliently urgeable together or apart by a release tool to disengage from the or each pawl.

15. A fixing system as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14 wherein the or each series of ratchet teeth is provided on the locking clip and the or each pawl to is provided on the base clip.

16. A fixing system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base clip and for the locking clip is formed from a folded metal sheet material.

17. A fixing system for being disposed in use in between opposing edges of two members in generally edge-to-edge relationship, to restrict relative movement thereof in at least one direction, said system including a base clip for being connected in use to a first of said members, and a locking clip for being introduced into said gap in an insertion direction releasably to engage said base clip and to be pushed into engagement with a second of said members thereby to constrain relative movement in at least said one direction, at least one of the base clip and the locking clip including a detent arrangement whereby the locking clip may be releasably engaged at any one of a number of different positions in the insertion direction.

18. An insertion tool for use in conjunction with the fixing system according to any preceding claim, the tool including a reaction means for engaging in use said first member and a drive element driveably mounted with respect to said reaction element and operable to drive said locking clip in the direction of insertion into engagement with said base clip.

19. An insertion tool as claimed in claim 18 wherein said drive element is driveably mounted by means of a rack and pinion arrangement.

20. An insertion tool as claimed in claim 19 wherein said drive element is driveably mounted by means of a toggle mechanism.

21. An insertion tool as claimed in claim 18, 19 or 20 wherein said reaction means is adapted to be releasably retained against separation movement with respect to said first member.

22. An insertion tool as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21 wherein the tool is operable such that the first member is engaged and forced in a reaction direction while the locking clip is pushed in substantially the opposite direction to the reaction direction thereby causing a portion of the first member to be forced against the second member.

23. A release tool for use in conjunction with the fixing system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, the tool comprising a pair of jaws movable away from each other and arranged to act on one of the clips to release the engagement and allow withdrawal of the locking clip from the gap.

24. A fixing system substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

25. An insertion tool substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 9 and 10 or Figures 11 and 12.

26. A release tool substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 8a.