GB2461978A

GB2461978A - Door or window vent assembly having limited heat loss when vent is closed

Info

Publication number: GB2461978A
Application number: GB0912066A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Rawlings
Original assignee: Jurras Ltd
Current assignee: Jurras Ltd
Priority date: 2008-07-24
Filing date: 2009-07-13
Publication date: 2010-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-13
Also published as: IE20080624A1; GB0912066D0; GB2461978B; IE86064B1

Abstract

An assembly includes a ventilation member 10 having a vent region (12, Figure 6) and a plurality of inner and outer mounting regions (24, 26, Figure 6), inner and outer frame components 28, 30 securable to the mounting regions (e.g. snap fitted by resilient lugs 22), and end caps 32 securable to the frame components (e.g. screwed using screw locations 36). Two inner 28a, 28b and outer 30a, 30b frame components may be provided wherein the inner components carry a movable component 40 to open or close the vent region, and the outer frame components provide a lip 44 to shield/protect the vent region from wind and rain. The inner and outer frame components and end caps may be shaped/sized for installation between a door/window frame 52 and a glazing unit 46 carried by the frame. The ventilation member serves as a thermal break between the inner and outer frame components.

Description

Vent Assembly This invention relates to a vent assembly, and in particular to a vent assembly adapted to be incorporated into a door or window assembly.

It is often desired to provide a vent in a window or door frame to assist in ventilation of a room. Often the vent is adjustable between an open condition and a closed condition. Obviously, when open, the thermal insulating properties of the door or window assembly are reduced but it is desirable to be able to provide a vent having good thermal insulating properties when closed, and which is of relatively simple and convenient form.

According to the invention there is provided a vent assembly comprising a vent member having a vent region and a plurality of inner and outer mounting regions, inner and outer frame components securable to the inner and outer mounting regions, and end caps securable to the inner and outer frame components.

Such an arrangement is advantageous in that the vent member serves as a thermal break between the inner and outer frame components.

Preferably two inner frame components and two outer frame components are provided.

The inner frame components conveniently carry a movable component movable to a position in which the vent region is closed.

The outer frame components conveniently define a lip extending over or shielding the vent region.

Each end cap is preferably of two-part form, including an inner part co-operating with the inner frame components and an outer part co-operating with the outer frame components, the inner and outer parts being secured to one another.

The inner and outer components and end caps are conveniently shaped to be received between a door or window frame and a glazing unit carried by the frame.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views, from the front and rear, illustrating a vent in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a sectional view illustrating a similar vent fitted into a frame; Figures 4a to 4g are sectional views illustrating a series of variants; Figures 5a to 51 illustrate a series of end cap parts suitable for use with the variants; and Figure 6 illustrates part of a vent member.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a vent assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The vent assembly comprises a vent member 10 (see Figure 6) of moulded plastics form. The vent member 10 is of elongate form, a central region of the vent member 10 defining a vent region 12 having a series of vent openings 14 formed therein to allow the passage of air from one side of the vent member 10 to the other.

Extending from the vent region 12 are projections 16, the projections 16 being of elongate form extending along substantially the full length of the vent region 1 2. Each region 16 includes an inner surface 18 and an outer surface 20, the inner and outer surfaces 18, 20, being provided with resilient lugs 22, thus defining inner mounting regions 24 and outer mounting regions 26 to which inner and outer frame components 28, 30 (see Figures 1 and 2) can be secured. End caps 32 are securable to the inner and outer frame components 28, 30, to secure the components together. Preferably, each end cap 32 includes projections 33 receivable within corresponding openings or recesses formed in the frame components 28, 30. In addition, the end caps 32 are provided with screw openings 34 through which screws can be inserted to allow the end caps 32 to be secured in position. The location of the openings 34 is such that one screw co-operates with one of the inner frame components 28 whilst the other screw co-operates with one of the outer frame components 30.

Turning to Figure 3, a variant to the arrangement illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is shown. The variant of Figure 3 differs from that of Figures 1 and 2 in that the inner and outer frame components 28 are of a slightly different shape. As illustrated in Figure 3, a pair of inner frame components 28 are provided. The upper inner frame component 28a is snap-fitted to the vent member 10 and includes a screw location 36 arranged to receive a screw as described hereinbefore. The lower inner frame component 28b includes a mounting formation 38 upon which a control member 40 is pivotally mounted, the control member 40 being pivotable between a position in which it substantially closes access to the vent region 12 and a position in which the vent region 12 is open. It will be appreciated that by controlling the position occupied by the member 40, the vent arrangement can be located in either an open condition or a closed condition. The upper and lower inner frame components 28a, 28b are each formed with seal locations 42 in which seal members (not shown) are located and arranged to bear against part of the member 40, serving both to restrict airflow therebetween and also to resist movement of the member 40 other than when desired so that the member 40 will tend to occupy the position desired by an operator.

The upper outer frame component 30a is shaped to define a lip 44 which is angled downwardly and serves to shield or otherwise resist the ingress of water through the vent arrangement and also to reduce wind or draughts blowing through the vent arrangement.

The lower outer frame component 30b, like the upper inner frame component 28a, is provided with a screw location 36.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the upper inner and outer frame components 28a, 30a, together define a region of thickness substantially equal to the thickness of a glazing panel 46 with which the vent arrangement is to be used. The lower inner and outer frame components 28b, 30b, together define a channel 48 of dimensions able to receive part of the glazing unit 46. In use, the vent assembly is located with part of the glazing unit 46 located within the recess or channel 48 and with parts of the upper inner and outer frame components 28a, 30a, located within a similar channel 50 defined by an adjacent part of a window or door frame 52. It will be appreciated that appropriate seals and the like (not shown) will be provided between the vent assembly, the glazing unit 46 and the frame 52 to secure the vent assembly in position in a weather-tight manner.

It will be appreciated that the vent assembly described hereinbefore is advantageous in that the inner and outer frame components 28, 30, are spaced apart from one another, the vent member 10 being located therebetween and forming a thermal break between these components. Where the material of the inner and outer frame components 28, 30 is, for example, extruded aluminium, it will be appreciated that the thermal insulating properties of the vent assembly are significantly improved.

Although the end caps 32 do not include a separate thermal break, as these components will typically be of moulded plastics form, they will be of reasonably good thermal insulating properties, thus the vent assembly as a whole will be of relatively good thermal efficiency.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, each end cap 32 is preferably of two-part form, including an inner part 32a and an outer part 32b. The inner and outer parts 32, 32b are conveniently securable to one another by means of tongue and groove formations 54. It will be appreciated that by providing end caps 32 of two-part form, the inner and outer parts 32a, 32b may be of different colours or different materials thereby permitting the vent assembly to have a range of visual appearances.

Figures 4a to 4g illustrate a number of variants to the arrangements described hereinbef ore. The variants are designed to permit use of the vent assembly with window or door arrangements of a range of different glazing unit dimensions thus, for example, the arrangement of Figure 4b can accommodate a relatively thick glazing unit whereas that of Figure 4a accommodates a relatively thin glazing unit. The different thicknesses of glazing unit with which the vent assembly is used is altered by appropriate selection of the inner, upper and lower frame components 28a, 28b.

It is further apparent from Figures 4a to 4g that the form of the lip 34 can be selected depending upon the application in which the vent assembly is to be used. The lip 34 shape is determined by the selection of outer frame components 30a, 30b.

Figures 5a to 51 are perspective views from opposite sides of a range of inner and outer end cap parts 32a, 32b. As illustrated, the end cap parts 32a, 32b are designed to accommodate and form end covers for the various shapes of the lip 34 and to accommodate and form end covers for the inner frame components 28a, 28b and member 40 used to permit use with a range of glazing unit thicknesses.

In all of the arrangements described hereinbefore, the vent assembly is advantageous in that a thermal break is provided in a simple and convenient manner.

Further, it will be appreciated that a vent assembly suitable for use in a wide range of applications can be achieved using a relatively small number of component parts, thus a vent assembly of simple and convenient form is provided. Also, the inner and outer faces of the vent assembly may be of different colours or different materials, if desired.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vent assembly comprising a vent member having a vent region and a plurality of inner and outer mounting regions, inner and outer frame components securable to the inner and outer mounting regions, and end caps securable to the inner and outer frame components.
2. An assembly according to Claim 1, wherein two inner frame components and two outer frame components are provided.
3. An assembly according to Claim 2, wherein the inner frame components carry a movable component movable to a position in which the vent region is closed.
4. An assembly according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the outer frame components define a lip extending over or shielding the vent region.
5. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each end cap is of two-part form, including an inner part co-operating with the inner frame components and an outer part co-operating with the outer frame components, the inner and outer parts being secured to one another.
6. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner and outer components and end caps are shaped to be received between a door or window frame and a glazing unit carried by the frame.
7. A vent assemb'y substantiafly as hereinbef ore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.