GB2511164A

GB2511164A - Sash sealing system and method

Info

Publication number: GB2511164A
Application number: GB1321445.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Leonard Johnson
Original assignee: Grouphomesafe Ltd
Current assignee: Era Home Security Ltd
Priority date: 2012-12-06
Filing date: 2013-12-05
Publication date: 2014-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2033-12-05
Also published as: GB201321445D0; CN103912188A; GB201707254D0; CN103912188B; GB2511164B; GB2546697B; GB2546697A

Abstract

A sash sealing system for installation around the side edges of a door or window includes a seal carrier 40 and a sash profile 10 having a channel 16 adapted to receive and retain the seal carrier in a fixed position. Sash hardware, such as a hinge 30, has a channel 36 adapted to align with the sash profile channel when the sash profile and sash hardware are fitted to a sash edge. The sash hardware channel has a depth sufficient to permit adjustment of the hardware into or off the sash edge without deflecting the seal carrier, i.e. providing an effective seal at a hinge or lock. In other aspects, a sash profile and sash hardware are provided as individual components. A method of fitting the sealing system to a door or window is also provided.

Description

SASH SEALING SYSTEM AND METHOD

The invention relates to a sash sealing system for fitting around a door or window sash, to components of the system, and to a method of fitting a seal to a sash.

Weatherproofing of doors and window sashes is conventionally achieved by use of a seal in the form of an elongate strip affixed around the perimeter of the sash and/or the frame. Often such seals are fitted around the sash using a sash profile extrusion.

Obviously it is highly desirable that the seal is substantially continuous around the sash, at least along each sash edge, but obtaining such a continuous seal can be difficult when passing over door or window hardware, such as hinge and/or lock sections. This is because such components are frequently adapted to be adjusted off and into the sash edge, for example by up to +1-4mm, to enable fitting with the door frame either on installation or at any time thereafter if there is movement of the frame, such as might occur on settling in a new-build or where there is seasonal ground heave. Adjustments may be in the horizontal direction or vertical direction or both.

While corresponding seal compression is variable dependent on the type of seal used, with all seal types, if they are over compressed the door or window can become seal bound'. As a result, the door or window can be difficult to fully close. Further, it is possible that the seal may even be broken when fitting or adjusting door or window hardware.

To meet current British and European standards, for example, it may therefore be necessary to provide additional sealing methods around hardware location points.

However, the necessity for additional sealing around hardware location points can give rise to a number of undesirable effects, namely: * The risk of wind and water leakage around the sash is increased * The visual appearance of the sash is compromised * The seal feature may be lost if the sash hardware is adjusted It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a sealing system in which the above disadvantages are mitigated or at least substantially reduced. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a substantially continuous seal around the sash but still allow for sash hardware adjustment.

From a first aspect, the invention resides in a sash sealing system for installation around the side edges of a door, window or like sash closure comprising a sash profile for fitting along a sash edge having a channel adapted to receive and retain a seal carrier in a fixed position thereto, sash hardware having a channel adapted to align with the sash profile channel when the sash profile and sash hardware are fitted to a sash edge, and a seal carrier for providing a seal along the sash edge, wherein the sash hardware channel has a depth sufficient to permit adjustment of the hardware into or off the sash edge without deflecting the portion of the seal carrier spanning the hardware.

By means of the invention, the seal carrier may therefore be fitted as a continuous strip around the sash edges, or along at least one edge thereof, and it is possible for the hardware to be adjusted off and into the edge of the sash without distorting the seal carrier. In this way, the seal, such as a brush or elastomeric gasket, of the seal carrier is not subject to compression against the door frame that may otherwise compromise the integrity of the seal.

The term "hardware" as used throughout is intended to encompass sash fittings such as hinges, locks and lock cases, including multipoint locks, friction stays, and the like, or components thereof, all of which may be mounted along the side face (referred to also as the side edge, or simply the "edge") of a door or window sash.

As will be appreciated, the depth of the channel in the hardware is such that a clearance gap is provided under the seal carrier when the carrier is fitted over the hardware and retained by the sash profile, enabling the hardware to be raised away from the edge of the door sash or lowered towards it without disturbing the "line" of the carrier. In this way, hardware adjustments can be performed without detriment to the continuous seal around the sash edge.

The clearance gap in the hardware channel, that is the distance between the lowest part of the seal carrier and the base of the channel when the carrier is inserted prior to any hardware adjustment, is preferably about 5mm. Such a depth permits maximum adjustment of the hardware yet avoids deflection of the carrier from the lie adopted when the carrier is fitted to the sash profile.

The channels of both the sash profile and sash hardware are outwardly facing when fitted to the sash so that the seal carrier may be installed as a continuous strip in the channels once the profile and relevant hardware have been fitted. The shape of the sash profile channel preferably complements that of the seal carrier, so that the seal carrier is supported against the base and internal side walls of the profile channel when installed. The sash profile channel may, for example, be substantially U-shaped in cross-section. Preferably the outer face in use of the seal carrier lies flush with the outer surface in use of the sash profile when installed in the sash profile channel.

Typically, where there is hardware fitted to the sash edge, the sash profile will be installed in sections from the ends of the hardware substantially to the ends (i.e. the top and bottom ends, and/or the left to right side ends) of the associated sash edge. In this regard, the sash profile is most preferably fabricated in lengths, such as by extrusion, and cut to the desired lengths to fit around the hardware.

The seal carrier is preferably adapted to snap fit with the sash profile. For example, the underside of the seal carrier may be provided with a pair of cantilever snap arms having opposed outwardly directed hooks, and the sash profile may include an elongate slot along the base of the profile channel through which the hooks are forced by deflection of the snap arms. Alternatively, the side walls of the sash profile channel may include a pair of inwardly directed ribs therealong around which the snap arms engage, the opposing ribs effectively providing an internal slot within the sash profile channel.

Advantageously, the seal carrier comphses an elongate extrusion which may be cut according to the length of the sash edge to which it is to be fitted. The seal may be formed integrally with the extruded element, but more preferably the seal carrier comprises an extruded retaining element and an elongate seal adapted to be secured by the retaining element. For example, the extruded retaining element may be provided with an elongated slot, such as a T-shaped slot in cross-section, for receiving and retaining a seal having a complementary T-shaped profile. The elongate seal may comprise a brush seal or an elastomeric seal, such as a rubber sealing gasket, or the like.

It is especially preferred that the sealing system of the invention comprises means to accommodate a pair of seals in each of the sash profiles and hardware. Accordingly, the sash profile and sash hardware may be provided with two, preferably a pair, of channels. In this way, parallel seals can be installed along the sash edge. Most preferably, the sash profile is substantially symmetrical in cross-section with parallel channels located equidistant from the central plane. Such an arrangement is especially preferred for use in a bi-fold door system.

From other aspects, the invention also resides in a sash profile, in sash hardware and in a seal carrier, each as hereinbefore described for use in the system.

Thus the invention further comprises sash hardware, such as a door or window hinge or lock, or component thereof for fitting to the side edge of a sash, the hardware comprising a sash edge member securable to the sash edge, wherein said edge member has a channel which, when the hardware is fitted to the sash edge, extends parallel with the sash edge for alignment with a channel in a sash profile for fitting along the sash edge on either side of the hardware which sash profile channel is adapted to retain a seal carrier strip for providing a substantially continuous seal along the sash edge, and wherein the hardware channel has a depth such as to allow adjustment of the hardware into and off the sash edge after the seal carrier strip has been fitted without deflecting the strip.

To allow adjustment without deflecting the seal carrier strip, the channel provided in the hardware should be sufficiently deep that when the seal carrier strip is fitted to the sash profile on either side of the hardware (and hence over the hardware) there is a clearance slot or gap in the channel beneath the seal carrier strip. Thus, if and when any adjustment of the hardware is required involving movement of the hardware towards or away from the sash edge, this can take place without disturbing the strip.

Preferably the clearance slot has a depth of about 5mm or less, more preferably about 4mm, to accommodate the maximum extent of adjustment typically required in any sash closure.

More preferably, the hardware channel is configured so that when the hardware is adjusted to its closest position with respect to the sash side edge, the seal carrier strip, or at least the extruded element thereof that retains the elongate seal, resides within the hardware channel. In this way, the seal carrier strip is accommodated in the hardware channel over the maximum range of adjustment. The hardware channel is preferably substantially U-shaped in cross-section.

By provision of such a channel in the sash hardware, the aforementioned problems of seal distortion during adjustment of the hardware can be avoided or at least substantially overcome. As will be appreciated, the precise design of the hardware can be varied and modified to achieve the desired properties of strength, weight and ease of manufacture. The invention as herein described lies in the provision of that "oversize" channel in the hardware to accommodate the seal carrier strip and movement of the hardware without unduly disturbing the strip after it has been fitted.

As already indicated, the hardware according to this further aspect of the invention may be provided with two such channels, preferably a pair of channels, to enable parallel sealing strips to be fitted along each of the side edges of the sash.

In one embodiment, the hardware comprises a door or window lock, or a component thereof, for locating on the sash side edge. In another embodiment, the hardware comprises a hinge component for locating on the sash side edge. Other types of hardware applicable for fitting along sash side edges are equally embraced within the invention as herein described and hence the invention is not limited to locks and/or hinges.

From a further aspect, the present invention resides in a sash profile for use in a sash sealing system as hereinbefore described, the sash profile comprising an elongate member for fitting around the side edges of a sash and providing retaining means for securing a seal carrier thereto to provide a weatherproof seal around the sash when the sash is in a closed position with respect to a surrounding frame, wherein the sash profile comprises a channel for accommodating the seal carrier or part thereof and wherein the channel is provided with a retaining slot for capturing the seal carrier when the latter is pressed into the channel during fitting.

Preferably the retaining slot of the sash profile provides a snap fit with the seal carrier.

Typically, the sash profile may comprise an extruded element, for example, of substantially hollow cross-section, with one or more internal webs to provide strength and rigidity. Advantageously, as with a preferred hardware, the sash profile may be provided with two channels, preferably a pair of channels, to enable sealing strips to be fitted on both sides of the sash. For ease of insertion of the seal carrier, the sash channel is preferably substantially U-shaped in cross-section.

As described hereinbefore in relation to the sealing system, the channel in the hardware is adapted to accommodate adjustment of the hardware into and off the side edge of the sash. In some circumstances, lateral adjustment may be required where

S

the hardware is moved along the side edge. To allow for such lateral adjustment, the end of the sash profile adjacent to the hardware may be spaced therefrom, rather than being in abutment with the hardware. This is generally a matter of cutting the sash profile to the desired length, allowing sufficient gap between the end of the profile and the end of the hardware to accommodate limited lateral movement of the hardware in due course.

From a yet further aspect, the present invention resides in a method of fitting a seal around a door or window sash or the like, the method comprising installing a sash profile and hardware as hereinbefore described around the edge of the sash so that respective channels in the profile and hardware are aligned, and fitting a seal carrier into the aligned channels to form a substantially continuous seal around the sash, and adjusting the hardware as required.

The invention will now be illustrated by way of example only in the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section through a sash sealing system according to the invention; Figure 2 is cross-section through the hardware element and seal carrier of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view in partial cross-section of the sash sealing system of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a cross-section through an alternative sash sealing system according to the invention.

Turning first to Figure 1, there is shown a sash sealing system comprising a sash profile 10 being symmetrical about its central axis and having a pair of parallel channels 16, 16' extending longitudinally along the outer profile face in use.

Aligned with the sash profile 10 along a sash side edge (not shown) is a further component of the sash sealing system, namely a hardware component in the form of a sash hinge 30. The hinge component 30 has a substantially hollow section with interior wall 32 for added strength. Parallel channels 36, 36' are provided which extend longitudinally along the sash edge when installed on a sash and align with the channels 16, 16' of the sash profile as may be seen from Figure 1. As will be apparent from Figure 2, the channels 36, 36' of the hinge component 30 are deeper than the sash profile channels 16, 16'.

The system further includes a seal carrier 40 in the form of an elongate retaining element 42 which extends substantially the entire length of the sash edge to which it is to be fitted and has a T-shaped slot 44 running therealong, and an elongate brush seal 46 mounted on a corresponding T-shaped insert 48 captured in the slot 44.

The seal carrier 40 is fitted in each of the sash profile channels 16, 16'. The retaining element 42 fits snugly within the side walls of the channels 16, 16', and the outer face of the retaining element 42 lies substantially flush with the upper extremity of the channel walls to provide a neat appearance and to lessen the opportunity for dirt or water to penetrate between the seal carrier 40 and the sash profile 10.

The channels 36, 36' of the sash hinge 30 are deeper than the depth of the retaining element 42 of the seal carrier 40 and Figure 2 illustrates the position of the retaining element 42 in the channels 36, 36' when the hinge 30 is first installed on the sash edge. The clearance gap 60 between the underside of the retaining element 42 and the base of the channels 36, 36' allows adjustment of the hinge 30 into and off the sash edge (as indicated by the arrow) such as may be required to achieve the best fit with the frame surrounding the sash without any deflection or distortion of the retaining element 42.

Figure 3 shows in perspective view the assembled components of the sealing system (sash not shown). It will be understood that a further section of sash profile 10 would be included so that such profiles extend from both ends of the sash hinge 30. This would be conventional where sash hinges are installed part way along the sash edges rather than at the extremities thereof. Also shown is seal carrier 400 mounted on an adjacent sash (not shown) such as in a bi-fold door arrangement. Seal carrier 400 abuts with seal carrier 40 when the adjacent sashes are in a closed position. It will be understood that an adjacent sash will also have the sealing system of the invention fitted thereto, so that in practice, there will be a pair of abutting seals along each of the respective side edges.

An alternative sash sealing system is shown in Figure 4 in which the sash profile 110 is of substantially hollow cross-section with interior walls 112, 112' and transverse interior wall 114 therethrough. The sash profile 110 is again symmetrical and has a pair of parallel channels 116, 116' extending longitudinally, the internal walls of which are contoured to provide a pair of opposing internal ribs 118, 118' creating a slot 120 therebetween.

The retaining element 42 carries a pair of snap arms 50, 50' having outwardly directed hooks 52, 52'. In this arrangement, the seal carrier 40 is snap fitted in each of the sash profile channels 116, 116', the hooks 52, 52' being captured after passing through the slot 120 in each of the channels 116, 116' by means of the internal ribs 118, 118'.

The sash hinge 30 is substantially similar to the one shown in Figures 1 to 3 and cooperates with the retaining element 42 of the seal carrier 40 in the same way.

Various adaptations and modifications may be made and it is to be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the specific ways described herein and the scope of the invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

C LA I MS1. A sash sealing system for installation around the side edges of a door, window or like sash closure comprising a sash profile for fitting along a sash edge having a channel adapted to receive and retain a seal carrier in a fixed position thereto, sash hardware having a channel adapted to align with the sash profile channel when the sash profile and sash hardware are fitted to a sash edge, and a seal carrier for providing a seal along the sash edge, wherein the sash hardware channel has a depth sufficient to permit adjustment of the hardware into or off the sash edge without deflecting the portion of the seal carrier spanning the hardware.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the gap between the base of the seal carrier and the base of the hardware channel when the system is fitted to the sash edge but prior to any hardware adjustment is about 5mm or less.
3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sash profile channel has a complementary shape to the underside of the seal carrier, so that the seal carrier is supported against the base and internal side walls of the sash profile channel when installed.
4. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer face in use of the seal carrier lies flush with the outer surface in use of the sash profile when installed.
5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seal carrier is adapted to snap fit with the sash profile.
6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the underside of the seal carrier includes a pair of cantilever snap arms having opposed outwardly directed hooks, and the sash profile includes an elongate slot along the base of the profile channel through which the hooks are forced by deflection of the snap arms to provide a snap fit.
7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seal carrier comprises an extruded retaining element and an elongate seal adapted to be secured by the retaining element.
8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the extruded retaining element includes an elongated T-shaped slot and the elongate seal comprise a brush seal or sealing gasket having a complementary T-shaped profile for insertion and retention in the retaining element slot.
9. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the sash profile and hardware are provided with a pair of channels for accommodating a pair of seal carriers along each side edge of the sash when installed on the sash.
10. Sash hardware for fitting to the side edge of a sash closure, the hardware comprising a sash edge member securable to the sash edge and adjustable into and off the sash side edge, wherein said edge member has a channel for alignment with a channel in a sash profile to be fitted to the sash edge at one or both ends of the hardware for retaining a seal carrier strip providing a substantially continuous seal along the sash side edge, and wherein the hardware channel has a depth such as to allow adjustment of the hardware after the seal carrier strip has been fitted without deflecting the portion of the strip spanning the hardware.
11. Sash hardware according to claim 10, wherein the hardware channel provides a maximum clearance depth between the base of the channel and the underside of the seal carrier strip of about 5mm or less to accommodate a commensurate maximum adjustment of the hardware into or off the sash edge.
12. Sash hardware according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the hardware channel is configured so that when the hardware is adjusted to its closest position with respect to the sash side edge, the seal carrier strip, or at least an extruded element thereof that retains the elongate seal, resides within the hardware channel.
13. Sash hardware according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the hardware channel is substantially U-shaped.
14. Sash hardware according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the sash edge member is provided with two said channels for enabling parallel sealing strips to be fitted along each of the sash side edges.
15. Sash hardware according to any one of claims 10 to 14 comprising one of more of a window or door lock, window or door hinge, or a component thereof.
16. A sash profile for use in a sash sealing system of claim 1, comprising an elongate member for fitting around the side edges of a sash and provided with retaining means for securing a seal carrier thereto to provide a weatherproof seal around the sash when the sash is in a closed position with respect to a surrounding frame, wherein the sash profile comprises a channel for accommodating the seal carrier or part thereof and wherein the base of the channel is provided with a retaining slot for capturing the seal carrier when the latter is pressed into the channel during fitting.
17. A sash profile according to claim 16, wherein the retaining slot provides a snap fit with the seal carrier.
18. A sash profile according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the profile comprises an extruded element of substantially hollow cross-section, with one or more internal webs for strength and rigidity.
19. A method of fitting a sash sealing system of claim ito a door or window sash or like closure, the method comprising installing the sash profile and hardware along a side edge of the sash so that respective channels in the profile(s) and hardware are aligned, fitting a length of the seal carrier along the sash profile channel and through the hardware channel to form a substantially continuous seal along the sash edge, and adjusting the hardware as required.
20. A sash sealing system, sash hardware or sash profile, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.