GB2434614A

GB2434614A - Fastener with detent formation

Info

Publication number: GB2434614A
Application number: GB0707659A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Mcgowan Mann
Original assignee: Lorient Polyproducts Ltd
Current assignee: Lorient Polyproducts Ltd
Priority date: 2003-10-22
Filing date: 2003-10-22
Publication date: 2007-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2023-10-22
Also published as: GB0707659D0; GB2434614B

Abstract

A fastener 20, for joining two members together, comprises an elongate body 24 which has a first end 26 for location in a fixing aperture 22a of a pair of opposed fixing apertures and a second end 28 for location in the other fixing aperture 22b of said pair of opposed fixing apertures. The first and/or second end of the elongate body 24 has a detent formation which acts to permit the end of the elongate body 24 to be inserted into a fixing aperture but is spaced from the elongate body such that attempted withdrawal of the fastener from the or each fixing aperture 22a, 22b causes rotational movement of the or each detent formation so as to dig into the corresponding fixing aperture to prevent withdrawal of the fastener. The detent formation may comprise barbs 36, 38 that project from a terminal edge 34 of flange 32, outwardly away from the elongate body 24 and are directed generally toward the opposite end of the elongate body 24.

Description

GLAZING ASSEMBLY

The invention is directed particularly, but not exclusively, to a glazing system.

When glazing an aperture in a door, for example, it is common practice to provide a first glazing rebate around the aperture on one side of the door, locate a pane of glass in the first glazing rebate and then secure the pane of glass in place by attaching a second glazing rebate around the aperture on the opposite side of the door to the first glazing rebate. I0

Often the first and/or second glazing rebates are formed in elongate wooden strips or beadings, which are secured to the door by screws or rail fixings and/or glue.

Such a practice can be time consuming and can require a high degree of skill due to the need to use specialist tools.

A general aim of the invention is to provide a method of glazing an aperture in a sheet-like member, such as a door, which is relatively simple, quick and requires little skill.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of glazing an aperture in a sheet-like member, the method comprising the steps of: locating a first glazing frame around the penphery of the aperture on one side of the sheet-like member; locating a glazing panel within the aperture; locating a second glazing frame around the periphery of the aperture on the opposite side of the sheet-like member; and pushing the first and second glazing frames together to engage fixing means extending from the first and/or second glazing frame with the other glazing frame in order to cause the glazing frames to clampingly grip the glazing panel therebetween.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a glazing assembly, which is relatively simple, quick and requires little skill for installing in a glazing aperture in a sheet-like member such as a door.

According to another aspect of the invention, therefore, there is provided a glazing assembly for glazing an aperture in a sheet-like member, the assembly comprising: a first glazing frame adapted to extend around the periphery of the aperture on one side of the sheet-like member; a second glazing frame adapted to extend around the periphery of the aperture on the opposite side of the sheet-like member; and a plurality of fixing means adapted to be spaced about the periphery of the aperture, each fixing means being adapted to extend from one glazing frame to the other glazing frame in order to cause the glazing frames to clampingly grip a glazing panel therebetween.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a fastener for joining two members together, the fastener comprising an elongate body having a first end for location in a fixing aperture of a pair of opposed fixing apertures, and a second end for location in the other fixing aperture of said pair of opposed fixing apertures, the first andlor second end of the elongate body having a detent formation which acts to permit the end of the elongate body to be inserted into a fixmg aperture but prevents its withdrawal.

Vanous aspects of the invention are hereinafter described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic, exploded, perspective view of a door and a glazing assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention, prior to installation; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the door and glazing assembly shown in Figure 1 afier installation; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 11-11 in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a rear view of a glazing frame shown in Figure 1;

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Figure 5 isa more detailed view of a corner region of the frame shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Ill-Ill in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a fastening element according to another embodiment of the invention; and Figure 8 is a more detailed side view of an end of the fastening element shown in Figure 7.

A glazing assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in Figures 1 and 2.

The glazing assembly 10 includes a first glazing frame 12 for location about the penphery P of an aperture 14 on one side lóa of a sheet-like member. In Figures 1 and 2, the sheet-like member is a door 16. However, it is envisaged than the glazing assembly 10 may be used in other sheet-like members such as partition

walls, for example.

The glazing assembly 10 also includes a second glazing frame 18 for location about the periphery P of the aperture 14, on the opposite side 16b of the door 16.

The first and second glazing frames 12,18 are interconnectable by a plurality of fixing means spaced about the periphery P of the aperture 14.

Each glazing frame 12,18 preferably includes a plurality of fixing apertures 22 located on its inner face A, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the fixing apertures 22 on one glazing frame 12 corresponding in position to the fixing apertures 22 provided on the other glazing frame 18.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, each of the fixing apertures 22 is in the form of a slot to receive an elongated fixing means. In other embodiments, the fixing apertures may vary in shape depending on the cross-sectional shape of the fixing means for insertion therein. For example, the fixing apertures may be circular.

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Preferably, each of the fixing means is a fixing member 20 having an elongate body 24 and including a first end 26 for location in one fixing aperture 22a of a pair of opposed apertures 22a,22b, and a second end 28 for location in the other fixing aperture 22b of the pair, as shown in Figure 3.

The first and/or second end 26,28 of each fixing member 20 preferably includes a detent formation which acts to permit the ends of the elongate body 24 to be inserted into a fixing aperture 22 but prevents its withdrawal The detent formation may include at least one barb.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, each of the fixing members 20 includes an elongate body 24 formed of a strip of resilient material such as spring steel, for example. An upstanding flange 32 defines each end 26,28 of the body 24, and each flange 32 has a terminal edge 34 spaced from the elongate body 24 by a predetermined distance B. A pair of barb-like projections 36,38 project from the terminal edge 34 of each flange 32, outwardly away from the elongate body 24, and are directed generally toward the opposite end of the elongate body 24.

The predetermined distance B is preferably chosen to equal the corresponding cross-sectional dimension of the fixing aperture 22 into which the fixing member is to be inserted.

Each of the glazing frames 12,18 may be constructed from strips of beading 40 interconnected to form a frame corresponding in shape and size to the aperture 14.

The beading 40 is preferably formed from wood.

As can be seen from Figures 3 and 6, the beading 40 is preferably shaped to form an outer lip 42 extending along an outer edge thereof. The outer lip 42 extends from the outer edge of the beading to define a first, generally planar, outer abutment face 46, which extends in a generally perpendicular direction to a second, generally planar, outer abutment face 48 formed on the body 50 of the beading 40.

A strip of intumescent material 52 may be adhered to the second outer abutment face 48, and is preferably located in a recess 54 extending along the length thereof A recess 56 is preferably formed along an edge 58 of the beading 40 to form a glazing rebate, the recess 56 being diagonally opposed to the outer lip 42. The recess 56 defines a first, generally planar, inner abutment face 60, which is generally parallel to the first outer abutment face 46. The recess 56 also defines a second, generally planar, inner abutment face 62, which extends generally perpendicular to the first inner abutment face 60.

A resilient elongate clamping member 64 may be mounted on the first inner abutment face 60 of the recess 56. The clamping body 66 of the clamping member 64 is preferably secured to the first inner abutment face 60, and protrudes a relatively small distance above the top of the recess 56. A clamping lip 68 is formed along the protruding edge 70, projecting laterally from the clamping body 66.

The clamping member 64 may be extruded from a resilient material, and the extrusion preferably includes an intumescent material 72. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the clamping member 64 is extruded from an elastomer, and the intumescent material is graphite.

In use, a glazing panel 74 may be adhered, temporarily, to the clamping member 64 provided about the inner circumference of the first glazmg panel 12. This adhesion assists in maintaining the relative position of the glazing panel 74 to the glazing frame 12 during installation of the glazing assembly 10.

The glazing panel 74 is preferably a planar sheet of transparent or translucent material, and is preferably a fire resistant glass or glass composite.

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The first end 26 of a fixing member 22 is preferably pushed into each of the fixing apertures 22 located on the inner face A of the first glazing frame 12 such that it protrudes away from the glazing frame 12.

The barb-like projections 36,38 provided at the terminal edge 34 of the upstanding flange 32 at the first end 26 of each fixing member 22 protrude against the inner surface 76 of the fixing aperture 22, and point toward the opening 78 of the fixing aperture.

If an outward force is applied to the fixing member 20 to remove the fixing member 20 from the fixing aperture 22, the barb-like projections 36,38 engage the inner surface 76 of the fixing aperture 22, thereby preventing outward movement of the fixing member 20 The distance B separating the terminal edge 34 of the upstanding flange 32 from the elongate body 24 ensure that the flange 32 wedges between the upper and lower walls 76a,76b of the fixing aperture 22, thereby preventing deformation of the fixing member 20 when any such outward pulling force is applied to the fixing member 20. This, in turn, assists in ensuring that the first end 36 of each fixing member 20 cannot be pulled out of the respective fixing aperture 22.

The first glazing frame 12 and glazing panel 74 are then positioned to bring the first outer abutment face 46 into engagement with the outer surface of one side 1 6a of the door 16 such that the glazing frame 12 extends about the periphery P of the aperture 14 in the door 16, and the glazing panel 74 is located within the aperture 14.

The depth of the outer lip 42 is preferably chosen such that this also brings the second outer abutment face 48 into contact with the door 16 about the periphery P of the aperture 14.

The second glazing frame 18 can then be positioned to extend about the periphery P of the aperture 14 on the opposite side 16b of the door 16. This aligns the fixing

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apertures 22 on the inner face A of the second glazing frame 18 with the fixing apertures 22 on the inner face A of the first glazing frame 12.

On pushing the second glazing frame 18 towards the first glazing frame 12, the second end 38 of each of the fixing members 20 is pushed into the corresponding fixing aperture 22 in the second glazing frame 18 bnnging the first outer abutment face 46 into engagement with the outer surface of the opposite side I 6b of the door 16. It also brings the second outer abutment face 48 into contact with the door 16 about the periphery P of the aperture 14.

The first and second glazing frames 12,18 can thereby be secured together face to face, from opposite sides of the door 16, by pushing the frames 12,18 together such that the fixing members 22, positioned about the periphery of the aperture 14, extend from one glazing frame 12 to the other glazing frame 18 in a plane which is generally perpendicular to the glazing panel 74.

The barb-like projections 36,3 8 provided at the terminal edge 34 of the upstanding flange 32 at the second end 28 of each fixing member 22 engage within their respective fixing apertures on the second glazing frame 18 in a similar manner to the first ends 26 in the respective fixing apertures 22 on the first glazing frame 12 to prevent their withdrawal on the application of a pulling force tending to separate the glazing frames 12,18.

This, in turn, brings the clamping member 64 on the second glazing frame 18 into abutment with the opposite side of the glazing panel 74, thereby clampingly gripping the glazing panel 74 between the glazing frames 12,18 and securing the glazing assembly 10 within the door 16, as shown in Figure 2.

The clamping lip 68 is preferably pivotal about a connection point 77 between the inner face of the clamping body 66 arid the clamping lip 68, and the size of the clamping lip 68 is preferably chosen such that, when the first and second glazing frames 12,18 are interconnected, first ends 68a of the clamping lips 68 engaging the glazing panel 74 are placed under compression by the glazing panel 74. This in turn places the body of the laterally projecting lip 68 under compression due to the other end 68b of the lip 68 being in contact with the top of the body of the beading 40. This ensures that the clamping lips 68 of the clamping members 64 apply a large clamping force on the glazing panel 74.

The resilience of the material from which the clamping member 64 is formed is preferably chosen such that the large clamping force is maintained throughout a range of thicknesses of glazing panel 74. Preferably, the clamping member 64 may accommodate a glazing panel 74 having a thickness of between 6mm and 8mm.

The resilient nature of lips 68 also acts to enable each end 26,28 of the fixing members 20 into the respective fixing apertures 22 to travel back slightly towards the entrance 78 of the respective fixing aperture 22 whilst the barb-like projections 36,3 8 engage the inner surface 76 of the fixing aperture 22 and thereby ensure that the lips 68 maintain clamping engagement with the glazing panel.

The depth of the second outer abutment face 48 of each glazing frame 12,18, as well as the resilience of the clamping members 64, is also preferably chosen such that the large clamping force is maintained throughout a thicknesses of door 16.

Preferably, the glazing assembly 10 may accommodate a door 16 having a thickness of between 42mm and 45mm.

Under fire conditions, the intumescent material 52 provided on the second outer abutment faces 48 of the glazing frames 12,18 seals against smoke passing around the outside of the glazing frames 12,18. It also provides an inward clamping force ensuring that the glazing frames 12,1 8 cannot be removed, as well as insulating the glazing frames 12,18 from the door 16.

The intumescent material 72 provided in the clamping members 64 initially clamps the glazing panel 74 under fire conditions. It then insulates the periphery of the glazing panel 74, thereby preventing the passage of smoke around the outside of the glazing panel 74 and preventing the glazing panel 74 from sagging.

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The action and location of the intumescent material 52,72 enables the glazing assembly to achieve a fire rating of 30 minutes with wooden frames 12,18.

in other embodiments, it is envisaged that the rebate formed by the outer lip 42 on each of the glazing frames 12,18 may be omitted, and that the glazing assembly may be secured within the aperture 14, for example, by separate beading secured to the opposite sides I 6a, I 6b of the door 16 after installation.

It is also envisaged that, in other embodiments, the first or second glazing frame 12,18 may be formed integrally with the door 16 or sheet-like member.

While the fixing member 22 shown in Figures 7 and 8 has been described with reference to securing the first and second glazing frames 12,18 together of the glazing assembly 10 together, it is envisaged that the fixing member 22 may be i5 used to interconnect other components formed of a deforrnable material such as

Claims

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CLAIMS: 1. A fastener for joining two members together, the fastener comprising an elongate body having a first end for location in a fixing aperture of a pair of opposed fixing apertures and a second end for location in the other fixing aperture of said pair of opposed fixing apertures, the first and/or second end of the elongate body having a detent formation which acts to permit the end of the elongate body to be inserted into a fixing aperture but is spaced from the elongate body such that attempted withdrawal of the fastener from the or each fixing aperture causes rotational movement of the or each detent formation so as to dig into the corresponding fixing aperture to prevent withdrawal of the fastener.

2. A fastener according to Claim 1 wherein the detent formation includes at least one barb.

3. A fastener according to Claim 2 wherein the elongate body is formed of a strip of resilient material, each end of the body being defined by an upstanding flange, each flange havmg a terminal edge spaced from the body by a predetermined distance and at least one barb-like projection projecting from said terminal edge outwardly away from the body and being directed generally toward the opposite end of the body.

4. A fastener according to Claim 3 wherein said predetermined distance is substantially equal to the corresponding cross-sectional dimension of the fixing aperture into which the fastener is to be located.

5. A fastener according to any preceding claim wherein the fastener is formed from a strip of spring steel.

6. A fastener generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.