GB2476264A

GB2476264A - Two part frame assembly with insulated joint

Info

Publication number: GB2476264A
Application number: GB0922021A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Susan Mary Boardman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-17
Filing date: 2009-12-17
Publication date: 2011-06-22
Also published as: GB0922021D0

Abstract

A frame assembly comprising an outer frame member "A" and an inner frame member "B", the inner and outer frame member being detachably engaged, preferably via flanges 5 engages slots or grooves 12, wherein an insulation member 213 is arranged at the junction between the inner and outer frame members. Preferably the inner frame member is formed from wood and the outer frame member is plastic or metal. The insulation member 213 may be an insert in the form of a plastics sleeve or it may be a spray on insulating material and preferably may fit onto the inner frame member within the engagement section, i.e. the grooves. Also claimed is a frame for a window or door having two side walls formed from inner and outer layers, the walls abutting each other at a corner with an L shaped clip engaging both ends and at the junction between the inner and outer layers there is provided an insulation member ("X" Fig 4). Am method of manufacturing a window frame is also claimed.

Description

Improvements Relating to Frame Fixings The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to frame fixings, in particular to frame fixings for windows, doors or the like.

It is known to provide frames that are built of two layers of lengths that are fixed in a predetermined spatial relation. Such frames are described in detail in GB 2282629.

It has however been found that such prior art frames offer insufficient insulation against hot/cold and have poor long term weather resistance.

It is an object of aspects of the present invention to provide a frame fixing having improved insulation against hot/cold and having improved weather resistance.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a frame assembly, the frame assembly comprising an outer frame member and an inner frame member, the inner and outer frame member being detachably engaged, wherein an insulation member is arranged at the junction between the inner and outer frame members.

Preferably, the outer frame member is formed from a metal or plastic material, preferably an extrusion thereof. Preferably, the inner frame member is formed from Preferably the insulation member is formed from an insulating material Preferably the insulating member is formed from plastic rubber polystyrene or similar materials Preferably, the inner frame member comprises an engagement section, which may comprise a profile, preferably substantially along a longitudinal length thereof, operable to receive and engage with the outer frame member.

Preferably, the outer frame member comprises an engagement section, which may comprise a profile, preferably substantially along a longitudinal length thereof, operable to receive and engage with the inner frame member.

Preferably, the insulation member is operable to fit onto the inner frame member, preferably an engagement section thereof.

According to a further aspect of the invention in one aspect there is provided a generally rectangular frame for a window, door or the like, the frame having at least two side wails, each comprising two layers of generally parallel lengths, the lengths being abutted together at their ends to define a corner of the frame, L-shaped clip means being present at the comer, the limbs of the clip means being engaged with the lengths of a first layer so as to hold the lengths of that first layer in axial alignment, the lengths of the second layer being engaged along their length with the first layer, and releasable securing means being present to hold the abutted lengths of the second layer at the corner whereby the two layers are held in predetermined relation and wherein at a junction between the said two layers there is provided an insulation member.

According to the invention in a more specific aspect there is provided a readily dismantleable generally rectangular frame for a window, door or the like, the frame having side walls which comprise layers of generally parallel side lengths, the lengths being abutted together at their ends to define the corners of the frame, L-shaped clip means being present at the comer, the limbs of the clip means being received in limb receiving means therefor in the side lengths of a first layer so as to hold the side lengths of that first layer in axial alignment, the lengths of the second layer being engaged along their length with the lengths of the first layer, and bolt means being present to hold the abutted lengths of the second layer at the corners whereby the two layers are held in predetermined relation and wherein at a junction between the said two layers there is provided an insulation member According to a more specific aspect of the invention there is provided a frame comprising a plurality of sides, each side comprising an outer layer of one material and inner layer of another material, the two layers being engaged in side-by-side relation, the adjacent sides being abutted at an angle of about 45° to define a right angle at each corner, bolt means extending through the two lengths of the inner layer to hold them together and L-shaped clip means holding the lengths of the outer layer in predetermined right angle relation and wherein at a junction between the outer layer and the inner layer there is provided an insulation member.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of making a generally rectangular frame for a window, door or the like, the frame having side walls each made of two layers of side lengths, the method comprising joining a first layer of side lengths of the frame at a corner by engaging the limbs of L-shaped clip means with the lengths defining the corners; connecting a second layer of side lengths to those of the first layer; and securing the ends of the side lengths of the second layer together at the corner wherein at a junction between the said two layers there is provided an insulation member.

Preferably the arms of the L-shaped clip means are received in slots therefor in the lengths of the first layer. Most preferably the clip is preformed to accurate shape of hard material, e.g. a steel.

Screw means or like means may extend through from one layer to the other to hold the adjacent outer components together.

It is preferred that each outer layer includes a portion of generally box or channel section shape and the clip receiving slot and the screw receiving socket are each present in the box section. Preferably one wall of the box section includes two spaced apart flange portions and the inner component has opposed groove portions each to receive a flange, whereby the two components are held together in side-by-side relation along their length.

All of the features contained herein may be combined with any of the above aspects and in any combination For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a transverse sectional view of a side wall of a frame of the prior art; Figure 2 shows a transverse sectional view of a side wall of a frame of the invention; Figure 3 shows a sectional view of one corner of a rectangular fram having side walls according to figure 2; Figure 4 shows a transverse sectional view of one corner of a rectangular frame having side walls according to figure 2; and Figure 5 is an elevation of the inner side of the outer layer of the corner of figure 4.

Referring firstly to figure 1 there is shown a subassembly of a frame comprising an outer layer A and an inner layer B. The outer layer A is an extruded length of a rigid material, normally metal, such as aluminium or plastic such as pvc-u. The inner layer may be of wood, plastics or like solids. The outer layer A comprises a flange 1 having an incomplete box section 2 at one end. The box section has two opposite walls 3,4 which end in two short flanges 5 which extend towards each other parallel to the flange 1. A slot 6 is present in the box section in the outer corner and a screw receiving socket 7 is present in the box on the inner face of the wall 3. The inner layer B comprises a length of wood of block form having a major portion 10 having an outer thickness corresponding to that of the box section 2 and a minor portion 11 having an outer thickness corresponding to the inner width of the box 2. The two portions 10,11 are separated by a pair of grooves 12 dimensioned to receive the flanges 5. The two components are engaged by sliding the flanges 5 into the grooves 12 and to the condition shown in Figure 1. The engagement is relatively loose because according to the invention both parts are not made to close tolerances.

Referring now to figure 2 there is shown a frame assembly of the invention. As can be seen, the frame assembly is similar to the frame assembly described above in relation to figure 1, except that at the interface between the outer layer A and the inner layer B is an insulating member 213 in the form of a plastic sleeve that slides over the minor portion 11 and the grooves 12 of the box 2 The insulating member 21 allows the fit between the outer layer A and the inner layer B to be closer thus reducing the incidence of drafts penetrating the constructed frame Furthermore in weather conditions such as rain, water seeping in to the junction between the inner and outer layer is prevented from contacting and accumulating on the inner layer B, which is often wood, thereby preventing rotting of the inner layer B. As shown in figure 3, where a right angled comer is to be formed, the end faces 13 of the lengths of the layer B are cut at 450 to allow such faces to be abutted. Holes 14 are drilled through the longest face of the layer B to receive a long bolt 15, to be held by nuts 16. A non-setting mastic is first applied to the end faces to be abutted to seal the end-grain and the joints. A set of holes 17 parallel to holes 14 are drilled to receive a dowel 18 to prevent rotation of the sides about the long bolt 15. The limbs 1 9A and 19B of an L-shaped chevron clip 19 are received in the slots 6 of the abutting flanges 1 to hold them at a true 900. The shape of the clip is obtained by accurate cutting or machining a relatively hard material, e.g. steel as appropriate. Screws 20 are passed through predrilled holes in the flanges 1 to enter the box section 2 and pass from the outer layer A of one side into the socket 7 of the outer component of the other side.

Because of the engagement of the flanges 5 in the grooves 12 the layers are held together. The accurate shaping of the chevron limbs hold the outer lengths in predetermined relation, e.g. so that the faces abutted together are flush and level. As a result of the connection of the clip 19 and the screw 20 the two outer components are held tightly together. The net effect is that the corner joint will be maintained in predetermined relation irrespective of any tendency for components to move, e.g. when bumped in transport or because of changes in ambient temperature.

The embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 comprises an outer layer A formed of lengths of powder coated aluminium extrusion and an inner layer B formed of lengths of wood.

The extrusion comprises an upper (as shown) box section 2 having short flanges 5A and 5B, one above the other. The length of wood has grooves 12A and 12B, arranged to be slidingly received in the flanges 5A and 5B. The end faces 13 of the lengths are mitre sawn at 450 so that the end faces can be abutted together to form a right angled comer Holes are drilled as required The dotted line X shows the position of the insulation member 213 The insulation member may be a spray on insulation material sprayed onto the outer later A or inner layer B preferably over the inner layer B at the interface between the inner and outer layers The floor 20 of the section 2 has a slot 6 dimensioned to receive an L-chevron clip 19 A ledge 21 is present beyond the box section to define the perimeter of the hole to receive the pane of glass, not shown. T-head rails 22 are present on the inside face of the ledge to define a further slot 106. An L-shaped clip 119 is pressed out of stainless steel and has limbs 1 19A and 1 19B to be received in the slot 106 of the ledge 21.

Because the clip is formed of relatively harder metal than the extrusion, the limbs 119A and 119B deform the rails to form a tight engagement when the assembly is formed. Because the sets of slots 6, 106 are aligned, the clips 19, 119 ensure that the outer faces of the extrusion are brought into registry so that the outer face of the window frame is uniformly level. The lengths of the layer B are then slid on to the extrusions and the end faces are abutted at the corner and then secured together using a bolt. This locks the wood inner layer to the outer layer, so forming a secure structure even though the grooves 12, 12A are not a close tolerance fit with the flanges 5, 5A..

A frame assembly made in accordance with the present invention has the benefit that it is capable of being easily assembled and disassembled and that it offers improved insulation against hot/cold and has increased weather resistance, thus is less liable to failure.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same equivalent or similar purpose unless expressly stated otherwise Thus unless expressly stated otherwise each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s) The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A frame assembly, the frame assembly comprising an outer frame member and an inner frame member, the inner and outer frame member being detachably engaged, wherein an insulation member is arranged at the junction between the inner and outer frame members.
2. A frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the outer frame member is formed from a metal or plastic material, and the inner frame member is formed from wood.
3. A frame assembly according to either of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the inner frame member comprises an engagement section, which comprises a profile substantially along a longitudinal length thereof, operable to receive and engage with the outer frame member.
4. A frame assembly according to claim 3, wherein the insulation member is operable to fit onto the inner frame member, preferably the engagement section thereof.
5. A generally rectangular frame for a window, door or the like, the frame having at least two side wails, each comprising two layers of generally parallel lengths, the lengths being abutted together at their ends to define a corner of the frame, L-shaped clip means being present at the corner, the limbs of the clip means being engaged with the lengths of a first layer so as to hold the lengths of that first layer in axial alignment the lengths of the second layer being engaged along their length with the first layer, and releasable securing means being present to hold the abutted lengths of the second layer at the corner whereby the two layers are held in predetermined relation and wherein at a junction between the said two layers there is provided an insulation member.
6. a method of making a generally rectangular frame for a window, door or the like, the frame having side walls each made of two layers of side lengths, the method comprising joining a first layer of side lengths of the frame at a corner by engaging the limbs of L-shaped clip means with the lengths defining the corners; connecting a second layer of side lengths to those of the first layer; and securing the ends of the side lengths of the second layer together at the corner wherein at a junction between the said two layers there is provided an insulation rnernber.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWSCLAIMS1. A frame assembly, the frame assembly comprising an outer frame member and an inner frame member, the inner and outer frame member being detachably engaged, wherein an insulation member is arranged at the junction between the inner and outer frame members.2. A frame assembly according to claim 1, wherein the outer frame member is formed from a metal or plastic material, and the inner frame member is formed from wood.3, A frame assembly according to either of claim I or claim 2, wherein the inner frame member comprises an engagement section, which comprises a profile substantially along a longitudinal length thereof, operable to receive and engage with o 15 the outer frame member. r4. A frame assembly according to claim 3, wherein the insulation member is r operable to fit onto the inner frame member, preferably the engagement section thereof.5. A generaUy rectangular frame for a window, door or the like, the frame having at least two side wails, each comprising two layers of generally parallel lengths, the lengths being abutted together at their ends to define a corner of the frame, L-shaped clip means being present at the comer, the limbs of the clip means being engaged with the lengths of a first layer so as to hold the lengths of that first layer in axial alignment, the lengths of the second layer being engaged along their length with the first layer! and releasable securing means being present to hold the abutted lengths of the second layer at the corner whereby the two layers are held in predetermined relation and wherein at a junction between the said two layers there is provided an insulation member.6. A method of making a generally rectangular frame for a window, door or the like! the frame having side walls each made of two layers of side lengths, the method comprising joining a first layer of side lengths of the frame at a comer by engaging the limbs of L-shaped clip means with the lengths defining the comers; connecting a second layer of side lengths to those of the first layer; and securing the ends of the side engths of the second layer together at the corner wherein at a junction between the said two ayers there is provided an insulation member.
7. A frame assemby substantiay as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.5. A frame substantiaUy as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.9. A method substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. r r r (0 r