GB2463267A

GB2463267A - Method and associated systems for providing a panel in an opening

Info

Publication number: GB2463267A
Application number: GB0816211A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Lemasurier
Original assignee: DOOR STOP INTERNAT Ltd
Current assignee: DOOR STOP INTERNAT Ltd
Priority date: 2008-09-05
Filing date: 2008-09-05
Publication date: 2010-03-10
Anticipated expiration: 2028-09-05
Also published as: GB2463267B; GB0816211D0

Abstract

A method and a system for fitting a panel 18 in an opening 15 comprises mounting a panel 18 on a connecting device 30 in an opening, connecting a first frame member 20 located at a first side of the opening to the connecting device 30 by passing a fastener 40 (such as a screw) through the connecting device 30 from a second side of the opening into engagement with the first frame member 20 on the first side of the opening and then fastening a second frame member 21 to the connecting device 30.

Description

Title: Method of Providing a Panel in an Opening

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a method of providing a panel in an opening.

Examples of applications of the invention include providing a glazing panel in a door, although the opening need not be provided in a door and the panel need not be a glazing panel.

It is known to provide glazing panels in doors using what are called "glazing cassettes" which essentially include frames inside and outside the door which sandwich a glazing panel between them.

An example is shown in EP-A-1529919 in which a saddle is used to bridge the thickness of the opening. At one door side, the saddle includes an internal upstand, and following mounting of a glazing panel in position against the upstand, a further upstand is connected to the saddle to sandwich the glazing panel between the upstands.

According to first aspect of the invention we provide a method of providing a panel in an opening, the method including providing a first frame member which in use is located at one side of the opening, and a second frame member which in use is located at a second side of the opening with the panel located between the first and second frame members, and providing at least one connecting device which in use extends between the first and second frame members and mounts the panel, the method including positioning the connecting device in the opening, mounting the panel in the opening by engaging the panel with the connecting device, connecting the first frame member to the connecting device(s) with a fastener, by passing the fastener, from the second side of the opening, through the connecting device into engagement with the first frame member, and connecting the second frame member to the connecting device at the second side of the opening.

The method of the present invention enables "invisible" connection of the first frame member from the first side of the opening, as the fastener which connects the first frame member to the connecting device is inserted through the connecting device from the second side of the opening.

From a security viewpoint, where the panel is a glazing panel for a door for example, it is only necessary for the external frame member i.e. the first frame member, to be securely provided at the first side of the opening, to prevent removal of the glazing panel by an intruder for example, to gain entry. The second frame member at the second, internal, side of the opening, may be cosmetic where the connecting device includes a retaining formation to retain the panel mounted thereby, and so the second frame member may be connected to the connecting device by a less secure connection than the first frame member, e.g. a fastener-less connection.

In one example, the connecting device includes a first passage part which extends from a first end of the connecting device and a second passage part aligned with the first passage part, the second passage part extending from a second end of the connecting device, and between the first and second ends of the connecting device there being a seat for a head of the fastener.

Thus once the fastener is passed from the second side of the opening, into the second end of the connecting device and into engagement with the first frame member, the second frame member may be connected to the connecting device by inserting a connecting formation of the second frame member into the second passage part. The connecting formation may be retained in the second passage part by friction and/or adhesive as required. In each case though, the connection of the second frame member to the connecting device, will be invisible from the second side of the opening.

The first frame member may include a fixing formation which is received in the first passage part of the connecting device and with which the fastener engages when the fastener is inserted into the passage from the second end of the connecting device. The fixing formation may include a pilot opening to receive the fastener which may be self tapping as the fastener is inserted, or the fixing formation may be female screw threaded to receive a fastener such asabolt.

The connecting device preferably includes at the second end, a locating formation which locates the connecting device at the second side of the opening.

Thus the method may include locating the connecting device relative to the opening by positioning the connecting device with the locating formation in engagement with a periphery of the opening at the second side of the opening.

It will be appreciated that the opening and panel will in different applications, be of varying configuration. The connecting device may be a device which extends around the opening, in which case a connecting device would be required to be made of a unique size for each panel/opening the connecting device is to fit.

Preferably through, the method of the invention utilises a plurality of connecting devices, the method including positioning the plurality of connecting devices around the opening, mounting the panel in the opening by engaging the panel with the plurality of connecting devices, connecting the first frame member to each of the connecting devices with respective fasteners, by passing the fasteners, from the second side of the opening, through the respective connecting devices into engagement with the first frame member, and connecting the second frame member to the connecting devices at the second side of the opening.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a system of providing a panel in an opening, the system including a first frame member which in use is located at one side of the opening, and a second frame member which in use is located at a second side of the opening with the panel located between the first and second frame members, and at least one connecting device which in use extends between the first and second frame members and mounts the panel, the first frame member being connectable to the connecting device by a fastener which passes through the connecting device from the second side of the opening into engagement with the first frame member, and the second frame member being connectable with the connecting member.

According to a third aspect of the invention we provide an assembly of a panel in an opening, the assembly including a first frame member located at one side of the opening, and a second frame member located at a second side of the opening with the panel located between the first and second frame members, at least one connecting device which extends between the first and second frame members and mounts the panel, the first frame member being connected to the connecting device with a fastener which has been passed from the second side of the opening, through the connecting device into engagement with the first frame member, and the second frame member being connected to the connecting device at the second side of the opening.

The opening may be of any desired configuration. For examples, the opening may be rectangular, round, or of a complex shape. In each case, the first and second frame members may be of generally corresponding shape. Each frame member may have an external periphery which surrounds the opening, and an internal periphery which lies within the periphery of the opening, with the connecting device or devices configured and positioned in use to be concealed by the first and second frame members. At least the first frame member, and desirably the second frame member too, may have a seal which, when the first or first and second frame members are connected to the connecting device or devices, contacts the panel.

The invention may particularly but not exclusively, be applied to an assembly which includes a door which affords the opening, and in which the panel is a glazing panel.

The panel may be a single sheet of glass or other generally transparent material, or a panel of multiple spaced sheets. The or each sheet may include parts separated by glazing bars or leading, as desired.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;-FIGURE 1 is an illustrative view of an assembly of a door and glazing panel provided in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a part sectional illustrative view through the assembly of figure 1, taken on the line 1-1.

Referring to figure 1, part of a door 10 is illustrated. The door 10 is made as a composite structure with a pair of skins 11, 12 which sandwich between them, foamed plastic material 14, as seen in figure 2.

The door 10 structure is only exemplary and the invention made be applied to other door constructions or indeed in other applications where it is desired to provide a panel in an opening.

In the door structure 10 illustrated, an opening 15 has been providing by cutting the door structure. The opening 15 in the example is rectangular but as will be appreciated from the description below, may be of another configuration.

As seen in figure 1, within the opening 15 there is provided a panel 18. Figure 1 shows the door from a first side namely the outside. The appearance of the door 10 from the inside or second side, or at least of the part of the door 10 illustrated, is substantially similar.

The panel 18 is a glazing panel in this example, and is located between first and second frame members 20, 21, the first frame member 20 being located at the first, outside of the door 10, and the second frame member 21 being located at the second, inside, of the door 10. In the example, and as is preferred, the frame members 20, 21 frame the opening 15 i.e. the frame members extend about the opening 15, and thus as in the example the opening 15 is rectangular, the frame members 20, 21 are each rectangular.

In the example, each frame member 20, 21 is made of a plastics material, for example by injection moulding, and has two uprights 20a, 21a; 20b, 21b; and two generally horizontal parts 20c, 21c; 20d, 21d.

Although the frame members 20, 21 are conveniently made by injection moulding, these may be made by other methods as required. However as will be described more fully below, the first frame member 20 has a plurality of integral fixing formations 25 and the second frame member 21 has a corresponding number of integral connecting formations 26 although fixing formations/connecting formation may be fixed to the respective frame members 20, 21 when they are not injection moulded, or may otherwise be provided.

The frame members 20, 21 are each components of a system for providing the glazing or other panel 18 in the opening 15. The system further includes a plurality of connecting devices, one of which is illustrated in figure 1 at 30.

A plurality of the connecting devices are provided in the example. For example, a connecting device 30 may be provided at either side of each corner of the opening 15, and depending on the lengths of the sides of the opening 15, one or more connecting devices 30 may be spaced along the sides between the corners. The connecting devices 30 both mount the glazing or other panel 18, and enable the first and second frame members 20, 21 to be positioned either side of the opening 15 with the glazing or other panel 18 therebetween.

To provide the assembly, the plurality of connecting devices 30 are provided in the opening 15, at the periphery of the opening 15. It can be seen that the connecting members 30 each have a locating formation 32 and a retaining formation 33 at or towards an end, the second end, 34 thereof. Each connecting device 30 may thus be located by the locating formation 32 which engages with the door skin 12 at the second side of the opening 15, around the periphery of the opening 15.

Each connecting device 30 is not substantially longer than the door thickness from a first end, indicated at 35, to the second end 34, but may be shorter than the door 10 thickness, and thus common connecting devices 30 may be used with a variety of door thicknesses.

Each connecting device 30 has a body 38 which preferably integrally provides the locating formation 32, and the retaining formation 33. The body 38 may be moulded in a material such as Nylon in which a thread 39 of a self tapping fastener 40 may cut, and the bodies 38 may be moulded.

The body 38 has a through-passage which has a first passage part 41 which opens to the first end 35 and a second passage part 42 which opens to the second end 34, and between the passage parts 41, 42 there is a seat 45 for a head 46 of the fastener 40.

When each connecting device 30 positioned as described in the opening 15, the glazing or other panel 18 may be mounted. The body 38 of each connecting member 30 provides a mounting surface 48 against which an edge or the glazing or other panel 18 abuts, and an inside surface 49 of the glazing or other panel 18 also abuts the retaining formations 33, so that the glazing or other panel 18 is mounted and retained.

Next, the first frame member 20 is connected to each of the connecting devices 30. This is achieved by passing the fastener 40 into the second passage part 42 from the second end 34 of the connecting device 30. The second part 42 of the passage is dimensioned to permit the head 46 of the fastener 40 to pass along the second passage part 42 to the seat 45 which the head 46 engages. The fixing formations 25 are each dimensioned to be received in a first passage part 41 of a connecting device 30, and each fixing formation 25 has a pilot opening 49 into which the thread 39 of the fastener 40 can be screwed by rotating the fastener 40 with a screwdriver as the fastener is inserted. Thus the connecting devices 30 will each be connected to the first frame member 20.

It can be seen that the first frame member 20 includes an integral seal 50 which extends around the frame member 20. As the fasteners 40 are tightened, the first frame member 20 will be drawn towards the outside door skin 11, and the seal 50 will contact the glazing or other panel 18.

Depending on the door 10 thickness, the first frame member 20 may engage the first ends 35 of the connecting devices 30, or, as shown in the example, may remain spaced.

At this juncture the glazing or other panel 18 is mounted securely in the opening 15. The seal 50 will, where the door 10 is an external door, provide weatherproofing. The connection of the first frame member 20 to the connecting devices 30 will be invisible from the first, outside, but from the inside, the connecting device 30 will be visible.

Accordingly the second frame member 21 at the second side of the door 10 is connected to the connecting devices 30 for appearance sake. This is achieved as the connecting formations 26 of the second frame member 21 are dimensioned so as to be receivable in the second passage parts 42 of the connecting devices 30, to close the second passage parts 42. The connecting formations 26 are short enough not to engage the heads 46 of the fasteners on their seats 45.

The connecting formations 26 may be simple interference or friction fits in the second passage parts 42, or the connecting formations 26 may be adhered or additionally adhered in the second passage parts 42.

The second frame member 21 includes a seal 52 to contact the side surface 49 of the glazing or other panel 18 when the second frame member 21 is connected to each of the connecting devices 30 as described. Because the second frame member 21 is provided internally i.e. at the second side of the door 10, the seal 52 is largely cosmetic serving to close any space otherwise occurring between the second frame member 21 and the glazing or other panel 18.

By connecting the second frame member 21 to the connecting devices 30 of the system as described, utilising the connecting formations 26 and the second passage parts 42, a connection is achieved which is invisible from the first, inside of the door 10.

Various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the invention may be used with other than a generally rectangular opening 15 provided that the first and second frame members 20, 21 are of a corresponding configuration, so that an outer periphery 60 of each frame member 20, 21 surrounds the opening 15, and an internal periphery 61 of which lies within the periphery of the opening 15, with the connecting devices 30 configured and positioned in use to be concealed by the first and second frame members 20, 21.

In other examples, the opening may be round, or of a complex shape. In each case, the first and second frame members 20, 21 are preferably of generally corresponding shape.

Although it is preferred to provide a plurality of individual connecting devices around the opening 15, if desired a single connecting member may be provided which extends around the opening 15, the single connecting member providing a plurality of passages for the fixing and connecting formations 25, 26 of the first and second frame member 20, 21, but this would require a bespoke connecting member for each system.

The glazing or other panel 18 may be a single sheet, double, triple or other multiple sheet panel, and areas of the panel 18 may be subdivided by glazing bars and/or leading as desired.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of providing a panel in an opening, the method including providing a first frame member which in use is located at one side of the opening, and a second frame member which in use is located at a second side of the opening with the panel located between the first and second frame members, and providing at least one connecting device which in use extends between the first and second frame members and mounts the panel, the method including positioning the connecting device in the opening, mounting the panel in the opening by engaging the panel with the connecting device, connecting the first frame member to the connecting device with a fastener, by passing the fastener, from the second side of the opening, through the connecting device into engagement with the first frame member, and connecting the second frame member to the connecting device at the second side of the opening.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the connection of the first frame member to the connecting device is invisible from the first side of the opening.
3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the connecting device includes a retaining formation to retain the panel mounted thereby, and the second frame member is connected to the connecting device by a fastener-less connection.
4. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the connecting device includes a first passage part which extends from a first end of the connecting device and a second passage part aligned with the first passage part, the second passage part extending from a second end of the connecting device, and between the first and second ends of the connecting device there being a seat for a head of the fastener.
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein once the fastener is passed from the second side of the opening, into the second end of the connecting device and into engagement with the first frame member, the second frame member is connected to the connecting device by inserting a connecting formation of the second frame member into the second passage part.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the connecting formation is retained in the second passage part by one of friction, adhesive, and friction and adhesive.
7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the connection of the second frame member to the connecting device, is invisible from the second side of the opening.
8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first frame member includes a fixing formation which is received in the first passage part of the connecting device and with which the fastener engages when the fastener is inserted into the passage from the second end of the connecting device.
9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the fixing formation includes a pilot opening to receive the fastener.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the fastener self tapping as the fastener in inserted.
11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the connecting device includes at the second end, a locating formation which locates the connecting device at the second side of the opening, the method including locating the connecting device relative to the opening by positioning the connecting device with the locating formation in engagement with a periphery of the opening at the second side of the opening.
12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there are provided a plurality of connecting devices, the method including positioning the plurality of connecting devices around the opening, mounting the panel in the opening by engaging the panel with the plurality of connecting devices, connecting the first frame member to each of the connecting devices with respective fasteners, by passing the fasteners, from the second side of the opening, through the respective connecting devices into engagement with the first frame member, and connecting the second frame member to the connecting devices at the second side of the opening.
13. A method of providing a panel in an opening substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
14. A system of providing a panel in an opening, the system including a first frame member which in use is located at one side of the opening, and a second frame member which in use is located at a second side of the opening with the panel located between the first and second frame members, and at least one connecting device which in use extends between the first and second frame members and mounts the panel, the first frame member being connectable to the connecting device by a fastener which passes through the connecting device from the second side of the opening into engagement with the first frame member, and the second frame member being connectable with the connecting member.
15. A system of providing a panel in an opening substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
16. An assembly of a panel in an opening, the assembly including a first frame member located at one side of the opening, and a second frame member located at a second side of the opening with the panel located between the first and second frame members, at least one connecting device which extends between the first and second frame members and mounts the panel, the first frame member being connected to the connecting device with a fastener which has been passed from the second side of the opening, through the connecting device into engagement with the first frame member, and the second frame member being connected to the connecting device at the second side of the opening.
17. An assembly according to claim 16 wherein the first and second frame members are each of generally corresponding shape to the opening.
18. An assembly according to claim 17 wherein each frame member has an external periphery which surrounds the opening, and an internal periphery which lies within the periphery of the opening, with the connecting device or devices configured and positioned in use to be concealed by the first and second frame members.
19. An assembly according to claim 16 or claim 17 or claim 18 wherein at least the first frame member has a seal which, when the first or first and second frame members are connected to the connecting device or devices, contacts the panel.
20. An assembly according to any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the assembly includes a door which affords the opening, and the panel is a glazing panel.
21. An assembly of a panel in an opening substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to ands/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
22. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.