GB2480460A

GB2480460A - Sliding window unit and frame

Info

Publication number: GB2480460A
Application number: GB201008316A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas Wilson Cullen
Original assignee: Intelligent Wood Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Intelligent Wood Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2010-05-19
Filing date: 2010-05-19
Publication date: 2011-11-23
Also published as: GB201008316D0

Abstract

A timber frame panel 12 forms a perimeter into which a window unit 96 is positioned. A bracket 16 is located between the frame panel 12 and the window unit 96 wherein both the framing member 12 and the window unit 96 are slidably engaged to the bracket. The window unit is then moved from a first position where it is within the frame panel to a second position where the entire window unit is outside of the frame panel. In use, the unit is held within the frame for transportation and erection and once the panel is erected the unit can be slid out of the panel to a position outside the timber frame panel. The unit can thus be located on brickwork in a wooden framed house. The sliding bracket may be have two elongate slots extending over a majority of its length and screws may be used to provide the sliding engagement.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO WINDOW DETAILS IN

TIMBER FRAME BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

The present invention relates to timber framed building construction and in particular, though not exclusively, to the pre-installation of windows in timber framed building construction.

Timber frame building construction is now a mainstream form of house building in the UK. The building is designed as a series of timber frame panels which are transported and assembled on-site. An external facing, typically of brickwork, is constructed around the frame. Internally, plasterboards are erected to provide a finish. Where windows and doors are to be fitted, space is left in the panels. The window and door units are constructed off-site and then installed once the external brickwork at the location of the window/door is complete.

While this is an efficient method of construction, delays can occur as the window and door units must be timed to arrive on-site as construction of the external brickwork is at the correct]eve]. Additionally, all interna] work cannot be undertaken until the doors and windows are installed as the construction is not wind and watertight until these are in place. A yet further delay is in the time and work needed to install the doors and windows as special lifting gear is typically required.

GB 2 455 169 to Sidey Ltd. describes a method and apparatus for installing windows and doors in a kit framed building which overcomes some of these disadvantages. The window unit is pre-installed within the timber frame panel. Between the unit and panel is a guidance means, in the form of a bracket comprising a track attached to the frame and a sliding member attached to the window unit with an arm slidingly engaged with the track member. The unit is held in a first position wherein it sits substantially within the timber frame panel. In this position it can be transported on-site. The guidance means is then used to move the unit to a second position in which part of the unit projects beyond the timber frame panel.

This method provides some advantages. However, it has been found to have a major disadvantage. In the second position, the window unit remains supported by the timber frame panel and as such, the bracket only allows movement of the window unit partly outside of the frame. This movement is also restricted in that the window cannot travel further than the length of the track and the length of the track cannot be longer than the width of the frame, as the bracket must sit within the frame for transportation. In many building designs, the window is supported entirely on the outer brickwork so the outer face sits flush with the outer wall of the building, a larger internal sill is provided and it is easier to seal between the brickwork and the window unit.

This cannot be achieved in the apparatus and method described in GB 2 455 169.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a timber frame panel and window unit assembly which overcomes at

least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

As used in this specification, the term timber frame panel includes any manufactured panel used in the construction of a building, at least partially manufactured from structural timber and designed to be connected with other panels in the construction of a building. As used in this specification, the term timber frame panel kit includes any group of such panels which are designed to be assembled as part of a building. As used in this specification the terms window, window unit and window frame include doors, door units and door frames, as well as combined window/doors, window/door units and window/door frames. Both timber and PVC with the respective additional fixings.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a timber frame panel and window unit assembly, the frame comprising a plurality of framing members wherein at least a portion of the framing members form a perimeter of a window opening, a window unit sized to fit within the window opening, a bracket located between one of the framing members and the window unit wherein both the framing member and the window unit are slidably engaged to the bracket, such that the window unit can move from a first position substantially within the timber frame panel to a second position in which the entire window unit is outside the timber frame panel.

In this way, on-site the window unit can be moved out of the timber frame panel to locate upon the outer brickwork.

There may be a plurality of brackets arranged between the window unit and the framing members. By placing brackets around the perimeter, the window unit is supported in the timber frame panel for transportation.

Preferably, the bracket comprises a plate having two elongate slots located therethrough. Advantageously the slots extend over a majority of a length of the plate. More preferably the length of the plate is less than or equal to the width of the framing member. Preferably, the plate further comprises at least two apertures for permanently affixing the plate in place.

Preferably a first engaging member is located on an outer face of the window unit and slidably engages with a first of the elongate slots. Preferably also a second engaging member is located on an inner face of the framing member and slidably engages with the second of the elongate slots. In an embodiment, the engaging members are screws passed through the slot wherein the screw thread locates on the respective face and the screw head provides the sliding engagement. In this way, the framing member and the window unit can each move with respect to the bracket.

In one embodiment there are four slots, each pair being connected to the respective framing member and window unit.

Preferably, in the first position, the first engaging member is located at a first end, opposite a second end, of the slot and the second engaging member is located at a second end, opposite a first end, of the second of the slots. In the second position, the first engaging member may be located at the first end of the slot and the second engaging member may be located at the first end, of the second of the slots. In the second position, the window unit and the timber panel can be separated by a distance up to the length of the slots.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a timber frame panel kit comprising a plurality of timber frame panels, at least one panel being a timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of constructing a building using a timber frame panel and window unit assembly comprising the steps of: manufacturing a timber frame panel and window unit assembly by locating a window unit in a first position substantially within a timber frame panel; transporting the assembly to a construction site; assembling the timber frame panel with other panels; and sliding the window unit from the first position to a second position in which the entire window unit sits outside the timber frame panel.

The method may include the further steps of: constructing an external wall separated from an external face of the timber panel by a cavity, and sealing the window unit in its second position substantially in the external wall.

Preferably the timber frame panel and window unit assembly is according to the first aspect.

Preferably the step of sliding the window unit includes moving engaging members along slots in the bracket between the timber frame panel and the window unit until the window unit is entirely outwith the timber frame panel. Advantageously, the bracket is fixed to the timber frame panel and the window unit after sliding by locating fixing members through apertures in the bracket.

Preferably the window unit is slid a distance of twice the length of the slots in the bracket.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a part of a timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first position; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a part of a timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention in a second position; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a bracket for use in the present invention; and Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention within a constructed building.

Referring initially to Figure 1 there is illustrated a timber frame panel and window unit assembly, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Assembly 10 comprises a timber frame panel 12, a window unit 14 and a bracket 16.

limber frame panel 12 includes a number of structural timber members connected together to form a frame. Ihe structural members may include bottom rails, top rails 22, intermediate rails and vertical studs, as is known in the art. A timber board, such as plywood, can be located across an outer face 18 of the frame to create the panel 12. Where apertures such as doors and windows are required, an opening 20 is left free of p1 yb oar d.

Ihe window unit 14 is a typically glazed window unit as is known in the art. Ihe unit 14 is located within the opening of the panel 12. Ihe width of the unit 14, as measured from it's front face 28 to it's rear face 30, is less than the width of the panel 12, as measured from it's respective front face 32 to it's rear face 34, so that the unit 14 is entirely contained within the panel 12. This is the first position, arranged for transportation and erection of the panel 12 without intrusion of the window unit 14. In this way the window unit 14 is fitted to the timber frame panel 12, off-site, preferable in the factory where the panel 12 is manufactured.

Located between an outer face 24 of the window unit 14 and an inner face 26 of a rail of the panel 12 is the bracket 16.

Reference will now be made to Figure 3 which describes an embodiment of the bracket 16 according to the present invention.

Bracket 16 is a simple metal plate 36 substantially rectangular in shape. The corners 38a-d have been removed to reduce the number of sharp edges in the assembly 10. The width of the bracket 16, from a first side edge 40 to a second side edge 42, is selected to equal the width of the frame 12. This provides easy location of the bracket on the frame 12 as no measurements are required.

Machined through the plate 36 are two pairs of slots 44a,b, and 46a,b together with two pairs of apertures 48a,b and 50a,b. Slots 46 are elongate and begin at ends 56a,b close to the first edge 42, running along a majority of the length of the plate 36 at the upper 52 and lower 54 edges of the bracket 16. The slots 46 finish at ends 58a,b short of the edge 40.

Located between the ends 58a,b and the edge 40 are the first pair of apertures 50a,b, each arranged co-linearly with the respective slot 46a,b. Arranged equidistantly and in parallel between the slots 46a,b are the slots 44a,b. Slots 44 are elongate and begin at ends 60a,b close to the second edge 40, running along a majority of the length of the plate 36, to finish at ends 62a,b short of the edge 42. Located between the ends 62a,b and the edge 42 are the second pair of apertures 48a,b, each arranged co-linearly with the respective slot 44a,b. The bracket 16 is symmetrical along it's length for ease of manufacturing and installation i.e. it cannot be located upside down.

Returning to Figure 1, bracket 16 is initially located upon the window unit 14, with the first edge 42 being aligned with the rear face 30 of the unit 14. Screws 64a,b are located through the slots 44a,b respectively at their ends 62a,b and screwed into the outer face 24 of the window unit 14. The screws 64 are not tightened so that they are free to move in the slots 44, SO that the bracket 16 and window 14 can move with respect to each other, but are still connected.

The window unit 14 is then located in the opening 20 of the panel 12. The frame 12 may be laid upon it's rear face 34 SO that the rear face 30 of the window unit 14 and the edge 42 of the bracket 16 align. The bracket 16 should span the width of the panel 12 and, as the panel 12 is wider than the window unit 14, access is available to insert screws 66a,b at the ends 58a,b of the slots 46a,b and screw them into the inner face 26 of the panel 12. Screws 66a,b can initially be tightened sufficiently to hold the panel 12, unit 14 and bracket 16 in a fixed relationship.

The timber frame panel and window unit assembly 10 are thus in a first position wherein the unit 14 is entirely contained within the panel 12. The assembly 10 can now be transported from the factory and brought on-site. As per the design of the construction, the panel 12 will be lifted and assembled with other panels to form a timber frame kit building. As the window units 14 are located in the openings 20, the building is sufficiently weathertight to begin the internal walls. At the same time, the external brick/block work wall can be started. When the level of the brickwork reaches the lower edge of the window unit 14, the unit 14 can be slid out onto the brickwork.

This is achieved by first loosening the screws 66a,b sufficiently so that the screws 66 can slide within the slots 46. The window unit 14 can then be pushed through the frame 12 from the rear face 34 of the panel 12 to it's front face 32.

This movement will cause the screws 64 to travel along the slots 44 from the first end 62 to the second end 60. Screws 64 will then pick-up' the bracket 16 as any further travel of the screws 64 relative to the slots 44 is prevented. Now the screws 66 will travel along the slots 46 from the ends 58 to the ends 56. The window unit 14 will be pushed out of the panel 12 and travel a distance away from the panel 12. The distance will be approximately equal to the length of the slots 44,46. In this way, the bracket 16 will span the cavity between the timber frame panel 12 and the external brick/block wall. The window can now rest and be sealed to the brick wall independently of the panel 12.

This arrangement, effectively a second position, is illustrated in Figure 2. Edge 42 of the plate 36 lies close to the front face 32 of the panel 12 with sufficient overlap to locate screws 68a,b through apertures 48a,b and tie the unit 14 to the panel 12. Similarly, the edge 40 of the plate 36 lies close to the rear face 30 of the window unit 14 with sufficient overlap to locate screws 70a,b through apertures 50a,b and tie the panel 12 to the unit 14. The window unit 14 now sits entirely outside the panel 12 and is separated from it by a distance determined by the slot lengths in the bracket 16.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that when the window unit 14 is pushed forward, the movement may cause the screws 66 to travel along the slots 46 from the ends 58 before or while the screws 64 travel along the slots 44 from the first end 62 to the second end 60. The order of movement does not matter, as when unit 14 is free of the panel 12 the bracket 16 can be manually adjusted to overlap the faces 24, 26 to the desired amount. In this way the separation distance between the front face 32 of the panel 12 and the rear face of the 30 of the window unit 14 can be set to any desired distance.

Thus in one embodiment of the bracket, the length of the plate 36 and the slots 44,46 will be selected to provide a desired separation distance when the screws locate in the ends 58,62.

This provides for easy assembly on-site as the window unit 14 is pushed to it's furthest extent from the panel 12. In an alternative embodiment, the length of the bracket 16 is selected to equal the width of the panel 12, while the slots 44,46 are machined to provide the greatest distance available across the plate 36. Along one or both edges 52,54, front and/or back of the plate, is arranged a ruled grating to provide a measurement scale of length along the edge of the bracket 16. On assembly, the unit 14 can be pushed forward until the desired separation distance is reached as indicated by reading from the ruled grating. The plate 36 can also be moved to give the desired degree of overlap while maintaining the desired separation distance. At the correct separation the screws 68,70 can be inserted and tightened to hold the window unit 14 in the desired location.

Reference is now made to Figure 4 of the drawings which illustrates a cross-section through a wall, generally indicated by reference numeral 80, following installation of a timber frame panel 12 and window unit 14 assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described hereinbefore, the panel 12 is brought on-site with the window unit 14 in-situ. Other panels will be assembled beside our panel 12 to construct a timber building frame with a plyboard panel exterior 82.

As the window unit 14 is initially held entirely within the frame of the panel 12, the inner walls 84 can be constructed as the building will be sufficiently weather tight. Insulation (not shown) is typically located in the panels 12 and held in place by the inner wall 84. Services can be routed through the panels also. Externally a brickwork wall 86 is constructed, separated from the panel 12 by a distance to provide a cavity 88. If required this cavity 88 may be filled with additional insulation at a later time.

When the brick level reaches the window height 90, the window unit 14 can be pushed through the panel 12, across the cavity 88 and rest upon the surface 92 on the brick wall 86. In this embodiment, a bracket 16 is located on both sides 96 of the window unit 14 and the window is moved perpendicularly to the plyboard 82 and surface 94 of the wall 86. The bracket 16 is sized such that the window unit 14 can be moved entirely onto the surface 92 and sit flush with the outer surface 94 of the wall 86. When in position, fixing screws are located through the bracket to affix the bracket 16 to the window unit 14 and the panel 12. Thus the window unit 14 and panel 12 are tied together across the cavity 88.

Brick work continues to surround the window, as is known in the art. Additionally, internal sills and wall panels can be inserted to bridge the cavity 88 around the window unit 14, to complete the build.

The principle advantage of the present invention is that it provides a timber frame panel and window unit assembly wherein the window unit can be located entirely within the panel and then be moved apart from the panel for insertion in an external wall of a building.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a timber frame panel and window unit assembly on which the bracket is of simple construction and easily accessible in use.

A yet further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a timber frame panel and window unit assembly providing a large internal sill and a window which is substantially flush with the outer face of the external wall.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to invention herein described without departing from the scope thereof. For example, any number of brackets may be mounted between the panel and the window unit; the bracket may contain any number of slots; the shape and size of the bracket can be changed as long as it does not extend from the timber frame panel; and the shape of the slots may be varied. Varying the slot shape may allow vertical movement of the window unit with respect to the panel if desired.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A timber frame panel and window unit assembly, the frame comprising a plurality of framing members wherein at least a portion of the framing members form a perimeter of a window opening, a window unit sized to fit within the window opening, a bracket located between one of the framing members and the window unit wherein both the framing member and the window unit are slidably engaged to the bracket, such that the window unit can move from a first position substantially within the timber frame panel to a second position in which the entire window unit is outside the timber frame panel.
2. A timber frame panel and window unit assembly according Q to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of brackets arranged between the window unit and the framing members.
3. A timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the bracket comprises a plate having two elongate slots located therethrough.
4. A timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to claim 3, wherein the slots extend over a majority of a length of the plate.
5. A timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the length of the plate is less than or equal to the width of the framing member.
6. A timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the plate further comprises at least two apertures for permanently affixing the plate in place.
7. A timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein, a first engaging member is located on an outer face of the window unit and slidably engages with a first of the elongate slots.
8. A timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to claim 7 wherein, a second engaging member is located on an inner face of the framing member and slidably engages with the second of the elongate slots.
9. A timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to claim 8, wherein the engaging members are screws passed through the slot, the screw thread locates on the respective face and the screw head provides the sliding engagement.
10. A timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein in the first position, Q the first engaging member is located at a first end, opposite a second end, of the slot and the second Q engaging member is located at a second end, opposite a first end, of the second of the slots.
11. A timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to any of claims 7 to 10 wherein, in the second position, the first engaging member is located at the first end of the slot and the second engaging member is located at the first end, of the second of the slots.
12. A timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to any of claims 3 to 11, wherein in the second position, the window unit and the timber panel are separated by a distance substantially equal to the length of the slots.
13. A timber frame panel kit comprising a plurality of timber frame panels, at least one panel being a timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to the first aspect any of claims 1 to 12.
14. A method of constructing a building using a timber frame panel and window unit assembly comprising the steps of: a) manufacturing a timber frame panel and window unit assembly by locating a window unit in a first position substantially within a timber frame panel; b) transporting the assembly to a construction site; c) assembling the timber frame panel with other panels; and d) sliding the window unit from the first position to a second position in which the entire window unit sits Q outside the timber frame panel.
15. A method of constructing a building using a timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to claim 14, wherein the method includes the further steps of: constructing an external wall separated from an external face of the timber panel by a cavity, and sealing the window unit in its second position substantially in the external wall.
16. A method of constructing a building using a timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the timber frame panel and window unit assembly is according to any of claims 1 to 12.
17. A method of constructing a building using a timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the step of sliding the window unit includes moving engaging members along slots in the bracket between the timber frame panel and the window unit until the window unit is entirely outwith the timber frame panel.
18. A method of constructing a building using a timber frame panel and window unit assembly according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the window unit is slid a distance of twice the length of the slots in the bracket.
19. A timber frame panel window unit assembly and method of constructing a building using said assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.