GB2515339A

GB2515339A - Window arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2515339A
Application number: GB1311087.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Miller; Rupert Wilkins
Original assignee: Trend Marine Products Ltd
Current assignee: Trend Marine Products Ltd
Priority date: 2013-06-21
Filing date: 2013-06-21
Publication date: 2014-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2033-06-21
Also published as: GB2515339B; GB201311087D0

Abstract

A window arrangement comprises fixed 2 and moveable 3 laminated glass panes. Each pane comprises two sheets of glass 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B bonded together by a polymeric layer (4, Fig 2). The fixed pane has an aperture therethrough to accommodate the moveable pane, such that a face of the fixed pane is essentially coplanar with a face of the moveable plane. The periphery of the edge of the aperture or the edge of the moveable pane is configured in a stepped arrangement by extending the edge of one of the sheets of the glass forming said pane beyond the edge of the other sheet. A frame may be provided in either or both of the fixed and moveable panes, engaging with the stepped edge configuration.

Description

WINDOW ARRANGEMENT

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to window arrangements for opening windows, especially for use in marine applications such as in boats.

Backeround and Prior An Where marine vessels are equipped with interior spaces, windows are often provided to enable natural light. t.o enter the interior, and to afford a view t.o the occupants.

Marine environments pose a difficult challenge to the designers of such windows, as the pressures that can he exerted on the window elements from the action of pounding is wave can he extremely high, and the consequences of a window breaking at sea would he severe, and could affect the safety of Lhe vessel. Ibis is especially so where it is required to provide an opening window. As a result, such window arrangements, especially for opening windows tend to be of a bulky construction. This not only increases the amount of niaterials used in construction, hut prevents a designer from producing a sleek look to the interior and especially the exterior of a vessel. This is especially a problem for the design and construction of luxury yachts where a smooth and sleek exterior finish is desirable.

It is therefore amongst the object of the invention to provide a window arrangement that reduces materials of construction and allow's the creation of a more streamlined and smooth exterior finish.

Summary of the Invention

so Accordingly, the invention provides a window arrangement comprising a fixed pane and a movable pane, each of said panes comprising laminated glass having two sheets of glass bonded together by a polymeric layer; said fixed pane having an aperture therethrough so sized and shaped as lo accommodate said moveable pane (such that a face of the fixed pane is essentially coplanar with a face of the moveable plane); and wherein the periphery of the edge of the aperture or the edge of the nioveahk pane is configured in a stepped arrangement by extending the edge of one of the sheets of the glass fonning said pane beyond the edge of the other sheet. In this way, the overlapping features that are required (1) to act as a restraint to stop the moveable a pane moving beyond its co-planar position (i.e. to stop the window opening both inwards and outwards) and (2) to provide resistance to the ingress of wind and water are provided within the width of the tixed pane, thereby creating a thinner overall window arrangement.

to Preferably, said stepped arrangement is located on the periphery of the aperture in said fixed pane, and more preferably said nioveable pane is thinner than said fixed pane. The smaller size of the nioveable pane allows it to be of a thinner construction.

In any aspect of the invention it is preferred that the window arrangement further is comprises a first frame having a cross-section adapted to lay adjacent two adjacent faces of said stepped arrangement. Such an anangement. leads t.o greater strength and stability, and also protects the edge of the glass from chipping. Preferably, said first frame is adapted to further abut a face of said pane. In this way, an adhesive bond may bc formed between the frame and the pane; usc of an adhesive bond on the cdgc of the pane provides further strength, as the forces on the adhesive tend to he primarily shear forces, which are more easily accommodated across the width of the edge section, again providing greater strength and stability.

More preferably such a window arrangement further comprises a second frame attached to Lhe periphery ol the lace ol the other pane and extending there from to sit within the first frame. This provides yet more strength and stability, and edge protection for the second frame.

In any aspect of the invenlion, it is further preferred that said nioveable pane is hinged to said fixed pane.

In any aspect of the invenl.ion, it. is further preferred that. said window arrangement further comprises a resiliently-deforniahie seal ocated between said fixed and nioveable panes.

Where one or more frames are pmvided, it is preferred dat each or preferably both frames are adhesively-bonded to an edge face of its corresponding pane.

a Ihe invention also includes a window arrangement substantially as described herein with reference Lo and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Figures

Ihe invention will he described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a window arrangement. of the present invention; Figures 2-6 show cross-sectional views of embodiments of a window is arrangement of the present invention; Figure 7 shows a plan view of a window arrangement. of the present invention; and Figures 8-11 show cress-sectional views of embodiments of a window arrangement of the present invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 illustrates, in plan view, a window arrangement of the present invention, generally indicated by 1, comprising a lIxed pane 2 having an aperture t.herethrough, and a nioveable pane 3 locatable within the aperture. Ilie aperture and the inoveaHe pane are so sized and shaped such that the movcahle pane can fit within the aperture, leaving a clearance gap of few millimetres (typically between 1 and 5mm) between the edge or the aperture and the edge of the moveahle pane. ftc aperture would preferable be circular in shape, for reasons of strength and niinimisation of edge curvature to prevent stress fractures, but other shapes arc envisaged.

Figure 2 illustrates in cross-section a portion of a window arrangement of the present invention taken along e.g. line A-A of I'igure I, and generally indicated by I. The arrangement comprises a fixed pane 2 and a movcable pane 3. Each of the panes 2, 3 is constructed of laminated glass comprising two sheets of glass 2A, 213 and 3A, 313 bonded together by a polymeric layer 4. The arrangement is illustrated in its partially open configuration. In the embodiment illustrated the layers 2A and 3A are on the inside of the opining window, i.e. the moveable pane opens inward. Ihe moveable a pane 3 is mounted for hinging movement in the direction indicated by the arnw 5.

In this embodiment, the periphery of the edge of the fixed pane 2 forming the aperture and the periphery of the edge of the moveable pane 3 both have a stepped arrangement. In the fixed pane 2, the stepped arrangement is created by the outer to sheet of glass 2A being larger than the inner sheet of glass 2B. In the moveable pane 3, the stepped arrangement is created by the inner sheet of glass 313 being larger than the outer sheet of glass 3A. A seal 6, preferably formed of resiliently-deformable material, is provided between the edges, and adhesively mounted on (he stepped arrangement of the fixed pane 2. It could readily also he mounted in a corresponding is position on the moveable pane.

Figure 3 illustrates the embodiment of Figure 2 in a closed position, showing how the arrangement can produce an essentially flat profile on at least the outside of the opcning window arrangement.

Figure 4 illustrates, again in cross-sectional view corresponding to section A-A of I igure I, a more preferred arrangcmcnt of a pane (and preferably a fixed pane) of the invention in which a first frame 7 is provided having an "L-shapcd" cross-section, so sued as (.0 abut the two adjacent faces of the st.epped arrangement. The frame 7 is adhesively-bonded to the edge of the inner sheeL ol glass 213 and to the extending inner face of thc outer shcct of glass 2A. In more preferred embodiments, an adhesive bond is also formed between the frame 7 and the edge face of the inner sheet of glass 213. This provides an adhesive bond acting in shear against loads applied to the window, and provides additional strength. The frame 7 provides additional strength and impact resistance to the arrangement, and is preferably made of a metallic material such as stainless steel or, preferably, aluminium.

I'igurc 5 illustrates, again in cross-sectional view corresponding to a section 15-13 in Figure 7 (hut in an open configuration), a yet more preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the first frame 7 has a generally right-angled "V.-shaped" cross-section to sit adjacent the two adjacent faces of the stepped arrangement of the fixed pane 2, and also extend onto the inner face of the fixed pane 2. [he first frame 7 is bonded by means of an adhesive layer 8 to that inner face, and a also to the inner face of the sheet of glass 2A that extends to form the stepped arrangement. This frame configuration gives enhanced strength to the arrangement whilst also seals the gap between the frame and the edge of the inner sheet of glass 2B forming the fixcd pane. A second frame 9 is also provided around thc periphery of the movable pane 3, and extending beyond the edge of that moveable pane thereby to creating a further stepped arrangement of the periphery. The frame is bonded to the inner surface of the frame by means of another adhesive layer 8. A resiliently-defonnabic seal 10 is also provided along the abutment of thc sccond frame 9 to form a seal between (he movable pane 3 and the fixed pane 2 when in the closed position.

Ihe second frame 9 is also preferably made of a metallic material such as stainless is steel or, preferably aluminium.

Figure 6 illustrates the cross-section B-B of Figure 9, and shows the arrangement of Figure 5 in its closed position. It can be seen most clearly in Figure 6, hut also in I"igurc Sm, that the moveahle pane 3 is thinner than the fixed pane 2. Ihis is possible because the movable pane is generally smaller than the fixed pane, and impact forces from e.g. waves hitting the outside of the window create a smaller bending moment on the smaller area of glass. Ibis allows a much more overall compact arrangement to be created. It can he seen in Figure 6 that the seal 10 will deform against the first frame 7. (hereby creating a watertight seal. The whole arrangement may he configured such that the inner face of the first frame 7 and the inner face of the second frame 9 are approximately co-planar as illustrated, thereby creating a sleek internal finish that is free from edges that might pose a safety risk, and provides a more desirable aesthetic finish.

I "igure 7 shows, in plan view, a window arrangement of the present invention, generally indicated by 1. Figure 7 show a view from the inside of the window arrangement.. The arrangement comprises a fixed pane 2 and a moveable pane 3, the fixed pane 2 having an aperture thercthrough to accommodate the moveable pane.

The aperture and moveable pane are circular in plan view. A cross-section through the line B-B is illustrated in Figure 6, and in Figure 5 in an open configuration. A first frame 7 is bonded 10 the ouler, fixed pane 2, and a second frame 9 is bonded to the inner, moveable pane 3 as described above. The frame 7 of the movable pane 3 is attached to the frame 9 of the fixed pane by means of a hinge mechanism ii. in a alternative embodiments, such as the frameless embodiments dcscrihcd above, the hinge mechanism may be adhesively bonded directly to the glass panes 2, 3.

Window catches 12 are also provided to allow the moveable pane 3 to he locked into us dosed position.

I'igure 8 illustrates, in a cross-sectional view analogous to those of I'gures 2-6, a yet further cinbodiment of the invention colllprising a fixcd panc 2 and a movable pane 3.

In this embodiment., t.he fixed pane 2 is triple-laminated, comprising three sheet.s of glass 2A -2C bonded together with polymeric layers 4. A fixed frame 7 is also is provided, secured by an adhesive byer 8 to the stepped edge 1gion of the fixed pane 2. The movable pane 3 comprises two sheets of glass 3A, 3B, bonded by a polymeric layer 4. A moveable frame 9 is also provided, adhesively-bonded to the inside surface of the movable pane. A resiliently-deformable seal II) is also pmvided at the abutment of the moveable frame 9 and the movcahlc pane 3, to provide sealing engagement with the fixed frame when in a closed position as illustrated in Figure 8.

Ihe thicknesses of the elements 2A-2C of the fixed pane 2 and the fixed frame 7 may he chosen such that the inner faces of the fixed pane 2 and the fixed frame 7 are essentially co-planar. The thicknesses of the elenient.s 3A-3B of the moveable pane 3 and the moveable frame 9 may also he chosen such that the inner faces of the moveable frame and the fixed frame are also essentially co-planar when the arrangement is in its closed position.

Figure 9 illustrates the arrangement of Figure 8 in its open configuration. The arrangement of! igures 8-9 provides a flush finish between the inside surface of the fixed frame 7 and the inner surface of the fixed pane, again providing am aesthetically-pleasing look, as well as an absence of edges that might. pose a safety risk or dirt trap.

Figure 10 illustrates a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention, again in a corresponding cross-seclional view analogous 10 those of Figures 2-9. In this embodiment. the fixed pane 2 is essentially the same as thai illustrated and described in Figures 8-9, hut the moveable pane 3 is formed using a triple-laminated a construction with three sheets of glass 3A-3B bonded together with polymeric layers 4. A nioveable frame 9 is also provided, and the moveable pane 3 and nioveable frame 9 may he so sized such that the inner face of moveable pane 3 is essentially co-planar with the inner face of the nioveahie frame 9. In this way, the inner and outer surfaces of Lhe window arrangement each present an essentially smooth finish with to evident safety, cleanliness and aesthetic benefits. Window fittings such as a hinge and catch arrangement may he attached by adhesively-bonding them to the panes 2, 3 or frames 7. 9. Alternatively, the fittings niay be recessed into the laminated construct of either or both of (he panes 2, 3.

is Figure 11 illustrates the arrangement of Figure lOin its open configuration.

Claims

CLAIMSI. A window arrangenienL comprising a fixed pane and a movable pane, each of said panes comprising laminated glass having two sheets of glass bonded together by a a polymeric layer; said fixed pane having an aperture therethrough so sized and shaped as to accommodate said moveable pane (such that a täce of the fixed pane is essentially coplanar with a face of the moveable plane); and wherein the periphery of the edge of the aperture or the edge of the inoveable to pane is configured in a stepped arrangement by extending the edge of one of the sheets of the glass forming said pane beyond the edge of the other sheet.
2. A window arrangement. according to Claim I wherein said stepped arrangement is located on the periphery of the aperture in said fixed pane.
3. A window arrangement according to Claim 2 wherein said moveahie pane is thinner than said fixed pane.
4. A window arrangement according to any preceding claim further comprising a first frame having a cross-section adapted to lie adjacent two adjacent faces of said stepped arrangement..
5. A window arrangement according to Claim 4 wherein said first frame is adapted to further abut a face of said pane.
6. A window arrangement according to any of Claims 4 to S further comprising a second frame attached to the periphery of the face of the other pane and extending therefroni to sit within the first frame.
7. A window arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein said moveahle pane is hinged to said fixed pane.
8. A window arrangement according to any preceding claim further comprising a rcsilicntly-dcformahk seal located between said fixed and moveahlc panes.
9. A window arrangeIiienL according to either claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said first frame is adhesively-bonded to an edge face of its corresponding pane.
10. A window arrangement according to any of claims 6-8 wherein one or both of said frames is adhesive'y-bonded to an edge face of its corresponding pane.
11. A window arrangement substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings. i0
12. A window arrangement according to any preceding claim suitable for use in a marine vesseL