GB2492985A

GB2492985A - Window retaining arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2492985A
Application number: GB201112344A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jason Rees
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-18
Filing date: 2011-07-18
Publication date: 2013-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-18
Also published as: GB2492985B; GB201112344D0

Abstract

A window retaining arrangement comprising a panel 1 with an aperture, the aperture having a first recess 3 along at least part of the perimeter of the opening and a window having a second recess 4 along at least part of its perimeter, the two recesses forming a void 5 and a locking bead 6 located in the void securing the panel and the window together. The recesses may be a semi-circular shaping, creating a void with a circular cross section. The locking bead may be flexible and manufactured from extruded acrylic, extruded polycarbonate, a liquid polymer, TRV silicone, liquid polyurethane or epoxy resin. The panel may include HPDE. There may be an insertion point (7 Fig 6) in the form of a channel that joins the external edge of the panel with the aperture allowing the beading to be inserted when the window is in position. A second channel (8 Fig 3) may also be used for insertion of the locking bead. The locking bead results in a frameless window construction.

Description

Frameless Window Construction

Field of Invention

This invention relates to fixing of windows into surrounding panels, including doors, and in particular to window retaining arrangement having beading between the window and the panel to retain the window in place.

Background of the Invention

With a common door window construction it is common practice to secure the window to the surround by use of an external gasket or external bead. In commercial industries and areas where goods trolleys are used these gaskets and beads become damaged over a period of time and require regular maintenance. Such damage can lead to windows being unsecured from the surround. In applications of hygiene external francs also increase the risk of bacterial growth in small crevices. Aesthetically more conventional methods are also less architecturally appealing. FR2866920A1 discloses a door comprising a surrounding frame having U-section profiles and an inner panel.

The panel is fitted inside the frame and is the same thickness as the frame profiles. rhe panel has a central periphera tongue engaging w th gnnves in the doorframe profiles, and its faces lie flush with the frame when fitted.

Disclosure of Invention

From the foregoing, ft may be appreciated that a need has arisen for a more durable window construotiom that utilises fewer parts and requires minimal maintenance.

The present invention locks a single pane window into a window surround without the need for any external beading, frame or gasket. The invention incorporates a parallel rebate on the door window surround and window in which a polymer bead can be inserted to form an internal lock.

According to various embodiments, but not all, the present invention disolosos a window retaining arrangoment including: a window and a panel, tho panel having an opening to receive the window, the opening having dimensions substantially similar to dimensions of the window. The panel includes a first recess along at least part of a perimeter of the opening, and the window includes a second recess along at least part of a perimeter of the window.

:he first and second recesses form a void for a locking bead engaging between the window and the panel so that the window is retained in the panel.

The recesses can have a semicircular cross-section, and the void can have a circular cross-section.

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A first channel can connect the first recess to a first insertion point for the locking bead, and a second channet can connect the second recess to a second insertion point for the locking bead.

The locking bead can be flexible, and can include extruded acrylic or extruded polycarbonate.

The locking bead is formed in situ from a liquid polymer, which can include RTV silicone, liquid polyurethane or epoxy resin.

The panel can include HPDE, and a thickness of the panel can be the same as a thickness of the window 19 The panel can forn part of a door.

According to various embodiments, but not all, the present invention discloses a door including; a window having an opening to receive the window, the opening having dimensions substantially similar to dimensions of the window. The opening includes a first recess along at least part of a perimeter of the opening, and the window includes a second recess along at least part of a perimeter of the window. The first and second recesses form a void for a locking bead engaging between the window and the door so that the window is retained in the door.

Brief Description of Drawings

29 For a more complete explanation of the present invention and the technical advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description and the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a typical window construction in accordance with the invention; Section A-A shows a broken through section of Figure 1; Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of Section A-A perimeter recess; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of Figure 3 window insertion hole; Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of Figure 3 perimeter lock bead; and Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of Figure 3 door insertion hole.

39 Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention and their technical advantages may be better understood by referring to Figures 1 and 2 which show a window retaining arrangement. The arrangement includes a window (2) and a panel (1), the panel having an opening to receive the window, the opening having dimensions substantially similar to dimensions of the window. Each of the panel and the window have a recess (3, 4) along at least part of their -a-perimeters, and the recesses form a void (5) for a locking bead (6) engaging between the window and the panel. This arrangement retains the window in the panel.

The reoesses oan have various profiles; for example, can have a seni-oiroular oross-section, torming a void having a oiroular cross-section. Other profiles include triangular or square grooves, U-shaped ohannels, and the like.

To ensure the panel and window fit correctly the panel is cut to suit the required dimensions of the window. Similarly the panel is rebated to form a recess (3) of the required size around at least part of its perimeter.

Once the panel is rebated the window is cut to ensure a compatible fit into the panel. Next the window is rebated to form a recess (4) of the required scze around the perrmeter.

Once the panel and window are cut and rebated, the window can be pushed into the panel to form a flush fit. Once the two parts are assembled the perimeter rebate of the panel and the perimeter rebate of the window will result in a void (5) being created around the perimeter of the panel and window.

Referring now to Figures 4-5, the retaining arrangement can include a first channel (7) connecting the recess in the panel to an insertion point for the locking bead, and a second channel (8) connecting the recess in the window to an insertion point for the locking bead.

!Once the bead is inserted into the void this will attach the window securely to the window surround. The internal void conceals the looking bead and results in a franeless window construction.

The bead can include a semi-rigid material and can be conveniently introduced via the first channel connecting the recess in the panel to an insertion point for the locking bead. The insertion point for the semi-rigid bead can be created in the srde of the panel by drilling a precision hole approxinately 3.5mm wider than the overall void width. The hole is created directly in line with the void which has been created from the alignment of 33 the recesses of both the window surround and the window. The bead, which can be clear or coloured semi-rigid bead manufactured using extruded acrylic or extruded polycarbonate, is fed through the bole. he use of a semi-rigid material offers strength to the void but allows some flexibility whilst the bead is being inserted. Insertion is undertaken by forcing the bead manually through the void and exerting increasing pressure as the bead enters further into the void. As the window corners have a radius specified this allows the bead to curve around all corners to completely fill the perineter void. Once the bead in fufly around the perimeter, it is pulled back out by 13mm, 5mm is trimned from the end, and then re-inserted with a steel pin to ensure there 43 are no exposed ends of the bead visible. The bead entrance is then flooded with liquid polyurethane to ensure the end of the bead is rigid and cannot be removed.

The bead can be formed in situ from a suitable liquid polymer. In this case.

the Liquid is injeoted into either the insertion point in the panel or the insertion poInt in the window. The liquid polymer used has to be tested to ensure they are compatible with the material of the window and the material of the panel, For example, where the window includes acrylic material, chemicals used to nanufaoture these types of resins can attaok the aoryiio and lead to fhe acrylic fracturing and completely breaking down.

13 Examples of liquid polymers used include; (a) ETh! Silicone (a two-part material comprising a catalyst and base) This material is injected around the perimeter and designed to allow some movement in the window as the panel and window expand and contract.

This is used usually when there is a variant in the temperatures on both sides of the panel. Examples are in bakeries where goods are frozen one side and an ambient temperature is present on the opposite oide.

(b) Liquid Polyurethane or Liquid PU (a fwo-part part material) :his material is in 2 part liquid form and mixed to the manufacturers specification prior to injection. This type of mixture allows the material fo cure after it has been injected around the perimeter of the void. Without the use of two-part materials the PU would not cure as single part resins and epoxies rely on moisture to fully cure.

(c) Epoxy Resin Similar to PU this material is mixed to the manufacturer's ratio and injected to oure.

Whilst injecting the liquid based bead polymer (PU, Epoxy Resin or RTV silicone) a temporary seal is applied between the perimeter where the panel and window meet. This is accomplished with the use of a high modulus one-part clear silicone, a light bead of which is applied to the described area and 33 left for 12 hours to cure. Once this has cured it is designed to act a seal between the surround and the window to retain fhe fluid as it travels around the void. Once the seal has cured the door p.anel is flipped over to ensure the face applied with the temporary seal is face down. This allows for the injection of the liquid based bead avoiding any spillages from the underside of the adjoining surround and window. Once the liquid bead has cured, the temporary sealed is removed using a suitable silicone removal agent which causes no damage to the surround or the window.

The window can Include any transparent or translucent material, for example, acrylic.

The panel can form part of a door, and can be of any suitable solid material,

for example, HPDE.

In particular, the panel can form part of what are commonly referred to as Impact Doors', typically used in areas where goods are being transferred around premises on trolleys, such as in supermarkets and warehouses.

It is desirable that impact doors are fully recyclable given that they have a limited lifetime due to wear and tear. This Is achieved by using only fully recyclable materials. The panel can be manufactured using HOPE material which is manufactured by either a pressed or planed or extruded method. The panels have a solid HOPE panel construction, and the material is between 10-15mm thIck depending on the design. Each door panel usually includes at least one upper clear acrylic window in each door leaf (shapes and sizes vary to meet customer requirements) and cn occasion a smaller lower window on each leaf.

The lower window is usually specified to meet DDA regulations (Disability Discrimination Act) . Each window is 10-15mm in thickness and designed to be a similar thickness to the door panel, creating a flush effect with no external bead or frame. Materials for each window include clear or obscure acrylic, manufactured using either cast or extcuded method.

Conventionally the window surrounds for these kinds of doors are made from plastic or metal and clamp' the window in place. The window surround is notorious for cracking or breaking, as a result of the traffic hitting the window frame and loosening the window. This leads to the window becoming unsecured from the door over a period of time. Depending on the application each door pane: can also include impact strips (positioned at the appropriate height of the most common side trolleys) . This allows each door to withstand heavy impact without damaging the main door panel. Impact strips are usually the width of each door leaf and manufactured using HOPE or ABS plastic materials.

For safety reasons an optional protection strip can be included around the perimeter of the door panel; this is inserted into slots which are cut directly in the door and later screwed into place. These include either flexible PVC material cr flexible EPDM rubber.

Each door has either sprung loaded hinges or rise and fall hinge which on impact forces the door open. The door is designed to close automatically by the nature ci the hinge design, this is either by sprung tension or a rise and fall hinge design. Hinges also include a surrcund manufactured from the same material as the HOPE panel, and include a steel spine cover to add rigidity to the dnnr.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1. A window retaining arrangement including: (a) a window (2); (b) a pane: (1), the panel having an opening to receive the window, the opening having dimensions substantially similar to dinensions of the window; rharacterised by: (i) the panel including a first recess (3) along at least part of a perimeter of the opening; (ii) the window including a second recess (4) along at least part of a perimeter of the window; and (iii) the first and second recess forming a void (5) for a locking bead (6) engaging between the window and the pane:; whereby the window is retained in the panel.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The arrangement of claim 1 in which the first and second recesses have a semicircular cross-section.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The arrangement of claim 2 in which the void has a circular cross-section.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The arrangement of any of the preceding claims including a first channel (7) connecting the first recess to a first insertion point for the locking bead.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The arrangement of any of the preceding claims including a second channel (B) connecting the second recess to a second insertion point for the looking bead.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The arrangement of any of the preceding claims in which the locking bead is flexible.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The arrangement of claim 6 in which the locking bead includes extruded acrylic.</claim-text> <claim-text>B. The arrangement of claim 6 in which the locking bead inoluden extruded polyoarbonate.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. The arrangement of any of the preceding claims in which the locking bead ic formed in situ from a liquid polymer.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. The arrangement of claim 9 in which the locking bead includes RTV Si 1 icon e.</claim-text> <claim-text>Il. The arrangement of claim 9 in which the looking bead includes liguid polyurethane.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. The arrangement of claim 9 in which the locking bead includes epoxy resin.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. The arrangement of any of the preceding claims in which the panel includes HPDE.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. :he arrangement of any of the preceding claims in which a thickness of the panel Is the sane as a thickness of the window.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. The arrangement of any of the preceding claims in which the panel forms part of a door.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A door including: (a) a window (2); (b) an opening to receive the window, the opening having dimensions 13 substantially similar to dimensions of the window; characterised by: (i) the opening including a first recess (3) along at least part of a perimeter of the opening; (Ii) the window including a second recess (4) along at least part of a perimeter of the window; and (iii) the first and second recess forming a void (5) for a locking bead (6) engaging between the window and the door; whereby the window is retained in the panel.</claim-text>