GB2462621A

GB2462621A - Window frame with roller blind guide

Info

Publication number: GB2462621A
Application number: GB0814781A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Thomson
Original assignee: Ultraframe UK Ltd
Current assignee: Ultraframe UK Ltd
Priority date: 2008-08-13
Filing date: 2008-08-13
Publication date: 2010-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2028-08-13
Also published as: GB0814781D0; GB2462621B

Abstract

A framing system for window or roller blind 40 to be fitted to a window frame 10, for example a uPVC window frame, comprises frame sides 106 that together with the window frame provide a channel 100 for receiving the edge of the roller blind. The framing system may incorporate a glazing bead for retaining the glazing in the window frame. The frame sides may be attached to the window frame using snap fitting. Also disclosed is a situation where the channel is formed from the frame member (34 Figure 1) and the glazing panel (12). Further disclosed is a situation where the channel is formed from a U shaped member which is fitted to the window frame (Figure 3). A framing system for two windows side by side with a T shaped frame side (Figure 6) and a framing system for a corner window (Figure 7) are also disclosed.

Description

Title: Fitting of window blinds

Description

This invention concerns the fitting of window blinds.

Window blinds are a popular means of covering windows to restrict or eliminate visibility of the interior of a house or other building from the outside.

Generally window blinds are of four types, namely vertical binds, roller blinds, horizontal or Venetian blinds and concertina blinds. The first three types of window blind are suspended at the top of a window and allowed to hang freely relying on the weight of the blind and, in particular a bottom rail, to prevent them from flapping about. Concertina blinds slide on strings, so that they are less prone to flapping.

However, a problem with roller, horizontal and concertina blinds is that light from outside can be seen around their side edges. That can be particularly disturbing when a person is trying to sleep.

WO 2008/043358 describes a method for securing a screening device to a substantially rectangular window comprising the steps of providing a window, a windowpane being provided in a sash of said window, the windowpane being surrounded on at least its top and lateral sides by a glazing bead and providing a screening device comprising a screening body, the screening body being movable from a first, passive to a second, active end position, the screening device further comprising attachment means for attaching the screening device to said window, characterized by the step of attaching attachment means to glazing bead. This method is for a roller screen for a special window fitted into a roof and does not deal with the issues affecting ordinary windows.

GB2423328A describes a window blind system, in which a window blind frame is releasably secured to a window casing using a clip. Preferably the clip comprises a flange and a support extending from the flange and having a frame engaging member. Preferably the flange is for releasable insertion between a window casing and a glass pane mounted therein, more preferably between a glazing bead and the glass pane. The window blind frame preferably comprises angle joints connecting extruded portions to form a rigid structure. Preferably the angle joints are inserted into channels in the extruded portions, the angle joints may be concealed by covers. However, this is again concerned with a specially made window blind system that has to be made to suit a specific window every time.

An object of this invention is to provide a framing system for window blinds that is more adaptable than the above-mentioned prior art systems.

According to the present invention a framing system for a window blind to be fitted to a window frame, especially a uPVC window frame or the like, comprises frame sides that together with the window frame provide channels for receiving edges of a window blind.

The invention further provides a window frame having a framing system fitted thereto comprising frame sides that together with the window frame provide channels for receiving edges of a window blind.

The term edges of a window blind" is intended to include not only side edges but also top and bottom edges of the window blind, which may be in the form of rails for supporting the top of the frame or bottom rails for stability of the window blind.

In a first preferred embodiment of the invention the frame side incorporates a glazing bead for retaining glazing in the window frame. Preferably the window bead has a formation on its bottom side for locating the bead with respect to the window frame, typically in a channel of the window frame. The bead preferably has sealing means on its face that abuts the glazing. The bead preferably has a wing extending therefrom that in a fitted window is parallel to and spaced from the glazing to provide the desired channel.

In a second preferred embodiment of the invention the window blind frame side is attachable to a glazing retaining bead. Preferably the frame side is generally L-shaped having one limb with means for attachment to the glazing bead and another limb that is generally at right angles thereto to provide one side of the desired channel, the other side being provided by the glazing.

Preferably the frame side member snap-fits to the glazing bead. For example, the frame side member and the glazing bead may have a mutually engaging slot and resiliently deformable formations that engage edges of the slot.

In a third preferred embodiment of the invention the frame side member that is attachable to the glazing bead is generally U-shaped, whereby the desired channel is provided substantially by the frame side member itself.

In a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention the frame side member may be attachable directly to the window frame rather than to a glazing bead.

Preferably an L-shaped frame side member is attached to the window frame. In one embodiment a retainer may be fixed to the window frame to receive the frame side member by snap-fitting thereto. In this embodiment the desired channel is formed between the frame side member and the window frame itself.

In a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention and particularly for situations where window frames need to be joined together in line or at corners a double side frame side member may be used that is attachable to a support post between the window frames. Preferably the double frame side member snap-fits to the support post. For example, the frame side member and the support post may have a mutually engaging slot and resiliently deformable formations that engage edges of the slot. The double side frame member is preferably generally T-shaped, whereby the cross bar of the T provides on opposite sides one side of the desired channel for the window blind.

Preferably the frame side member is sized so that the window blind is about 25-30mm away from the glazing for optimum thermal performance.

Preferably the side frame members are provided along vertical sides of a window frame. In such an arrangement edges of a window blind are held in the channel formed and the side frame members can prevent light shining into a room around sides of the blind. More preferably, the side frame members are provided on all sides of a window frame. In this arrangement components for hanging the blind over the window can be hidden and again at the bottom, when the blind is pulled down fully light penetration below the blind may be prevented.

At corners the frame side members are preferably mitered to form a complete frame. It is also possible to weld or adhere side frame members together at corners to form a partial or complete frame.

The frame side members are preferably formed as extrusions, especially of plastics material, such as uPVC.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the invention for window frames joined side by side in line; and Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the invention for window frames joined at a corner.

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a window frame 10 surrounds a double glazed unit 12 held in place between a lip 14 of the frame and a bead 16. The window frame is made up of extruded uPVC sections mitered and hot welded at corners. Opposite the lip is a channel 18. The bead 16 is also formed as an extrusion and has a first part 20 that is trapezoidal in section having inner 22, outer 24, top 26 and bottom 28 faces. The inner face 22 has flexible sealing ribs 30 therealong for sealing against the double glazed unit 12 and the outer face 24 is angled away upwardly from the inner face. The bottom face 28 has a rib 32 therealong that locates in the channel 18 of the window frame to retain the bead in position. The top face 26 of the bead has extending from its junction with the outer face a lip 34 that firstly follows the line of the outer face and then turns parallel to the inner face. The lip 34 provides with the double glazed unit a channel 36 in which either side edges of a window blind 40 can run or in which top and bottom rails of the blind can sit.

In Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, window frame 10 has a bead that locates in the channel 18 of the frame to retain the double glazed unit 12.

The bead 50 has front 52, rear 54, top 56 and bottom 58 sides. The front side 52 carries strips of gasket material 60 for sealing against the double glazed unit and the bottom side 58 has a longitudinal rib 62 that locates in channel 18 of the window frame. The rear side 54 of the bead has a rebated channel 64 to receive a second bead element 66.

The second bead element 66 is generally L-shaped providing two limbs 68, 70. At one end of first limb 68 are barbed lips 72 that snap fit into the rebated channel 64 to hold the second bead element to the first bead 50. The second limb 70 of the second bead element provides with the double glazed unit at either side of the window a channel 74 in which window blind 40 can slide and at top and bottom horizontal channels in which top and bottom rails for the window blind can sit.

Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings shows a similar arrangement to that of Figure 2 except that second bead element 80 is generally U-shaped to

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provide a channel 82 for a window blind that is slightly further from the double glazed unit than in the embodiment of Figure 2 and overlapping the window frame 10.

Turning to Figure 4, an arrangement is shown, in which the provision of a channel 100 around a window frame 10 for a window blind 40 is provided separately from the double glazed unit retaining bead 102. In this arrangement spaced apart bead retaining elements 104 are fixed to the face of the window frame and a second bead element 106 is snap-fitted onto the retaining element.

The second bead element 106 is generally L-shaped. Alternatively, the retaining elements 104 may be provided as a continuous strip.

The retaining elements 104 have a central section 108, through which screws 110 are fixed via spacers 112 to hold the element in place. The spacers may be an integral part of the retaining elements. Either side of the central section are wings 114 that are angled towards the face of the window frame when fitted. The ends of the wings 114 provide locations for ribs 116 on facing parts 118 of the second bead element 106. The second bead element 106 is sized and shaped to be fixed to the window frame 10 abutting the sides of the opening in which the window frame is situated, so that the channel 100 it provides for the window blind 40 is further away from the window frame itself than in the arrangement of Figure 2.

Figure 5 of the drawings shows an arrangement in which the glazing retaining bead and a channel for a window blind are combined in a single bead element 150. The bead element is generally U-shaped with the window frame side 152 thereof lower than the outer side 154. The window frame side 152 has strips of gasket material 156 therealong for sealing against the double glazed unit 12. On its underside the bead element 150 has a rib 158 that locates in the channel 18 of the window frame 10. The underside of the bead element 150 also has a stepped protrusion 160 that on one side acts with the rib 158 to retain the bead on the window frame and on the other side provides a decorative feature.

Between the higher side of the bead element and the double glazed unit there is again a channel 162 for the window blind 40.

Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings shows an arrangement that may be used where two window frames 10 are connected side by side to a support post 200. The support post 200 is generally of rectangular section and has at its intended outer end, i.e. for the exterior of the window, a fir tree section web 202 onto which a cover strip 204 is fitted to provide a decorative cover and seal over the junction of the window frames with the support post.

For the interior of the window, the support post has a rebated channel 206 into which snap fits a component 208 of I-section. The I-section component 208 has a cross bar 210 having top and bottom faces 212, 214 connected by webs 216. The two faces 212, 214 are connected at each end by decorative ends 218. The central limb 220 of the I-section is twin-walled and has recessed end formations 222 to snap-fit onto the lips 224 of the channel 206 of the support post 200. The I-section 208 has extending from near its top end wings 226 that lie against the end of the support post and slightly onto the window frames either side thereof.

Between the I-section cross bar 210 and the widow frames 10 are provided the channels 230 for the window blinds 40.

For a window two window frames 10 are connected at a corner an arrangement of the type shown in Figure 7 might be used. Here two window frames are connected at right angles to each other by means of a support post 300 that comprises two triangular parts 302, 304 joined at their apices. The major triangular part 302 provides a pair of faces 306, 308 at right angles to each other, against which the window frames are fixed. The minor part 304 extends inwardly of the window corner and provides remote from the major part a face 310 that is parallel to the other side 312 of the major triangular part of the support post.

The window frames have double glazed units 14 retained therein by means of conventional glazing beads 102.

The other side 312 of the major triangular part 302 of the support post 300 has a pair of spaced fir tree ribs 314 extending outwardly of the corner and push fitted onto the ribs is a right angle corner cover element 316 that extends partially over the window frames.

Internally of the corner the minor triangular part 304 of the support post has at its corners flanges 318 to receive slidably channel forming members 320 that are bent twice at right angles to provide a first face 322 forming a channel end, a second face 324 at right angles thereto to provide a channel side and a third face 326 at right angles to the second face and parallel to the first face to abut against a cover trim 328 that snap fits to a slot 330 provided on the face

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310 of the minor triangular part 304 of the support post 300. The cover trim 328 is of T-section and of similar shape to the I-section component 208 of the embodiment of Figure 6 but without the wings 226. The window blinds 40 have their side edges running in channels 334 between faces 324 and the glazing units 14.

It will be appreciated that, whilst the invention has been described with reference to particular window frame sections, it may be equally applicable to any other window frame sections.

Claims

Claims: 1. A framing system for a window blind to be fitted to a window frame, especially a uPVC window frame or the like, comprising frame sides that together with the window frame provide channels for receiving edges of a window blind.
2. A framing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame side incorporates a glazing bead for retaining glazing in the window frame.
3. A framing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the window bead has a formation on its bottom side for locating the bead with respect to the window frame.
4. A framing system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the window bead has a formation on its bottom side that locates in a channel of a window frame.
5. A framing system as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the bead has sealing means on its face that abuts the glazing.
6. A framing system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the bead has a wing extending therefrom that in a fitted window is parallel to and spaced from the glazing to provide the desired channel.
7. A framing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the window blind frame side is attachable to a glazing retaining bead.
8. A framing system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the frame side is generally L-shaped having one limb with means for attachment to the glazing bead and another limb that is generally at right angles thereto to provide oneSside of the desired channel, the other side being provided by the glazing.
9. A framing system as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the frame side member snap-fits to the glazing bead.
10. A framing system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the frame side member and the glazing bead may have a mutually engaging slot and resiliently deformable formations that engage edges of the slot.
11. A framing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame side member that is attachable to the glazing bead is generally U-shaped, whereby the desired channel is provided substantially by the frame side member itself.
12. A framing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame side member is attachable directly to the window frame.
13. A framing system as claimed in claim 12, wherein an L-shaped frame side member is attached to the window frame.
14. A framing system as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein a retainer is fixed to the window frame to receive the frame side member by snap-fitting thereto.
15. A framing system as claimed in claim I comprising a double side frame side member attachable to a support post between the window frames.
16. A framing system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the double frame side member snap-fits to the support post.
17. A framing system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the frame side member and the support post have a mutually engaging slot and resiliently deformable formations that engage edges of the slot.
18. A framing system as claimed in claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the double side frame member is generally T-shaped, whereby the cross bar of the T provides on opposite sides one side of the desired channel for the window blind.
19. A framing system as claimed in any one of claims I to 18, wherein the frame side member is sized so that the window blind is about 25-30mm away from the glazing for optimum thermal performance.
20. A framing system as claimed in any one of claims I to 19, wherein the frame side members are formed as extrusions.
21. A window frame having a framing system as claimed in any one of claims I to 20 fitted thereto.
22. A window frame as claimed in claim 21, wherein the side frame members are provided along vertical sides of the window frame.
23. A window frame as claimed in claim 21, wherein the side frame members are provided on all sides of a window frame.
24. A framing system for window blinds substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.
25. A combined window frame and window blind framing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.