GB2544773A

GB2544773A - Window sealing systems

Info

Publication number: GB2544773A
Application number: GB1520863.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Constable Graham
Original assignee: Reddiplex Ltd
Current assignee: Reddiplex Ltd
Priority date: 2015-11-26
Filing date: 2015-11-26
Publication date: 2017-05-31
Also published as: GB201520863D0

Abstract

A channel adapted to retain a scaling bead 13 of a window scaling system comprises an elongate substantially U-shaped member (1 figure 1) of rigid plastics material, having a base (3 figure 1) and two side walls (4 figure 1). The base (3 figure 1) is adapted to be fixed to a base of a groove 14 in a window frame, and one of the side walls (4 figure 1) has an external projection 2 of resilient material adapted in use to contact a corresponding wall of the groove 14. The projection 2 of resilient material can take up any clearance between the groove 14 and the channel (1 figure 1), ensuring that the channel is securely held in the groove, and thus the sealing bead 13 is similarly held securely relative to the groove. The channel (1 figure 1), together with the sealing bead 13 has a foot (16 figure 2) adapted to fit into the channel and a member 17 projecting from the foot to provide a seal with a movable window member forms a window sealing system.

Description

WINDOW SEALING SYSTEMS

This invention relates to a window sealing system, and in particular to a system where a sealing bead is located in a groove in a window frame for sealing against a movable window member.

Such a system is typically used in a sash window, although it may be used in other types of window. In a sash window a parting bead is accommodated between the inner and outer sliding window members, and a staff bead is provided on the inside of the frame to guide the inner window member. The parting and staff beads may be provided as sealing beads. These may be an extruded plastic component comprising a foot located in the groove in the window frame, and a member projecting from the foot for guiding and sealing with the window members. When sash window frames are of timber it is difficult to make the grooves for the beads to close tolerances. For example, a nominal 9mm groove may vary between 9mm and 9.5mm, because of the nature of the timber and the tools used to make the groove. The sealing bead, which needs to be held securely in the groove so that it can properly perform its guiding and sealing function, is normally located in a U-shaped channel which in turn is fixed in the groove. The channel, which is typically an extruded rigid plastic component, can be made to much smaller tolerances, and can therefore hold the sealing bead securely. The channel is fixed to the base of the groove, usually by staples, and the foot of the bead is held in the channel. Although the bead is held securely in the channel it is still possible for the top of the channel to move sideways in the groove, if there is a clearance between the top of the groove and the top of the channel.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, we provide a channel adapted to retain a sealing bead of a window sealing system, comprising an elongate substantially U-shaped member of rigid plastics material, having a base and two side walls, the base being adapted to be fixed to a base of a groove in a window frame, and one of the side walls having an external projection of resilient material adapted in use to contact a corresponding wall of the groove.

The projection of resilient material can take up any clearance between the groove and the channel, ensuring that the channel is securely held in the groove, and thus that the sealing bead is similarly held securely relative to the groove.

The external projection is conveniently of a more flexible and resilient plastics material than the rigid plastics material of the U-shaped member. The plastics materials are preferably compatible, so that the U-shaped member and the external projection may be co-extruded. The external projection is preferably a small pip, or alternatively a fin.

The side walls of the U-shaped member may be relatively rigid, having an internal profile shaped to hold the sealing bead, and a straight external profile. The side walls flex outwardly to allow insertion of the sealing bead.

Alternatively, the side walls of the U-shaped member may have an internal profile shaped to hold the sealing bead, and a corresponding external profile. This enables the side walls to be resilient, so that the sealing bead is a snap fit in the channel. The resilience of the side walls also allows the sealing bead to be removed if necessary.

The external projection is preferably provided at the free edge of the side wall, as this is the optimum position for taking up any clearance between the groove and the channel. The external projection can then also urge the top of the channel to close over the sealing bead to hold it firmly in place.

The external projection may be provided on just one side wall of the U-shaped member, or on each of them.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a window sealing system adapted to fit in a groove in a window frame comprises a channel according to the first aspect of the invention, together with a sealing bead having a foot adapted to fit into the channel and a member projecting from the foot to provide a seal with a movable window member.

The foot of the sealing bead is preferably shaped to correspond to the internal profile of the channel, so that it is held securely in the channel. The projecting member may form the seal, or may have means for carrying a separate sealing member.

An embodiment of the invention is shown, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a cross-section through an elongate channel according to the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 shows the channel in a groove in a window frame, with a sealing bead ready for insertion;

Figures 3 and 4 are similar to Figure 2, and show two stages of insertion of the sealing bead; and

Figure 5 is similar to Figure 2, but shows the sealing bead fully inserted in the channel.

The Figures show a window sealing system and a channel for use in the window sealing system. The window sealing system shown is for use with timber sash windows. Sash windows have inner and outer window members which slide vertically. A parting bead is provided between the inner and outer window members to guide and seal between them. A staff bead is provided on the inside of the frame to guide the inner window. The system shown may be used for the parting bead, which is accommodated in a groove in the window frame.

Figure 1 shows the channel. Figures 2 to 5 show the channel and a sealing bead which form the system, in place in a groove in a window frame.

The channel of Figure 1 comprises an elongate substantially U-shaped channel member 1 of a rigid plastics material, and an external projection 2 of resilient plastics material.

The U-shaped channel member 1 is extruded from a plastics material such as a rigid polyvinylchloride. It has a consistent thickness, and a relatively thin wall. It comprises a flat base 3 and two side walls 4 having a shaped profile. The side walls 4 are a mirror image of each other. Each has a first portion 5 adjacent the base 3 angled inwardly, a second portion 6 substantially perpendicular to the base 3, a third curved portion 7 leading inward and then outward, and a fourth, free end portion 8 comprising a short piece 9 substantially perpendicular to the base 3, and a short intumed, flange 10. The external dimension of the channel member 1 across the free end portions 8 is the same as that of the base 3. The smallest dimension of the channel member 1 is between the curved portions 7. The side walls 4 are able to flex towards each other, hinging about the connections between the base 3 and the first portions 5. Each side wall 4 is also resilient, as is discussed in more detail below.

The external projection 2 is a pip of rectangular outline and is provided on the outside of the short piece 9 of one of the side walls 4. It is co-extruded with the channel member 1 and is of a compatible plastics material, such as a flexible polyvinylchloride. Its size is chosen according to the tolerances of the groove in which the channel is accommodated.

Figure 2 shows the channel member 1 of Figure 1 in a position of use in a timber window frame 12 (only part of which is shown) and a sealing bead 13, shown in outline. The channel member 1 is accommodated in a routed groove 14 in the window frame 12. Because of the nature of the timber and the tools used to make the groove 14, it cannot be made to close tolerances. For example, a groove having a nominal width of 9mm may be as much as 9.5mm, and a nominal depth of 10.5mm may be as much as 11mm. The channel member 1 is able to accommodate the variation in the width by the resilience of the side walls 4 and the external projection 2. It can also accommodate the variation in the depth, simply by its location in the groove 14. The channel member 1 is held securely in the groove 14 by staples 15 passing through the base 3 into the frame 12 at appropriate intervals along its length. The channel member 1 can then accommodate the sealing bead 13.

The sealing bead 13 comprises a foot 16 adapted to fit in the channel member 1, and a sealing member 17 projecting from the foot 16, such that it is outside the groove 14. As shown, the foot 16 is not as deep as the channel, to ensure that it does not contact the staples 15. The foot 16 has a waisted profile, so that a free end portion 18 and a portion 19 adjacent the sealing member 17 are of the same width, and are separated by an intermediate portion 20 of lesser width. The profile of the foot 16 is complementary to the profiles of the side walls 4 of the channel member 1, as explained in more detail below.

The sealing member 17 may be of any appropriate construction. As shown it has a rectangular outline, but it may have grooves (not shown) to accommodate sealing fins or pile members.

Figure 3 shows the start of insertion of the sealing bead 13 into the channel member 1. The free end portion 18 of the foot 16 comes into contact with the curved portions 7 of the side walls 4. The curved portions 7 act to guide and lead the foot 16 into the channel.

Figure 4 shows the next stage of insertion, where the free end portion 18 displaces the side walls 4 of the channel member 1 outwardly, in a resilient manner.

Figure 5 shows the sealing bead 13 fully inserted into the channel member 1. The free end portion 18 of the foot 16 is accommodated between the second portions 6 of the side walls 4, and the intermediate portion 20 lies between the curved portions 7, at the smallest dimension of the channel member 1. The profiles of the intermediate portion 20 and the curved portions 7 are complementary, so that a snap fit is produced by the side walls 4 returning inwardly under their resilience. As mentioned above, there is a clearance between the free end portion 18 and the base 3 of the channel, to accommodate the staples 15. The portion 19 of the foot 16 is accommodated at the free edge of the channel. The inturned flanges 10 act as a stop for shoulders 21 formed between the foot 16 and the sealing member 17, to set the amount that the sealing bead 13 can be inserted into the channel member 1. The external projection 2 takes up any clearance between the groove 14 and the channel member 1, and also urges the flanges 10 into engagement with the foot 16. The snap engagement of the foot 16 in the channel member 1 and the resilience of the projection 2 ensure both that the foot 16 is secured in the channel against lateral movement, and that the foot and channel together are held in the groove 14 against lateral movement.

The sealing system of the channel 1 and sealing bead 13 is easy to fit. The channel member 1 is inserted into the groove 14, and affixed by staples 15. Then the foot 16 of the sealing bead 13 is inserted, and is snapped into place. The snap fit provides an audible confirmation that the sealing bead is in position. Although the sealing bead is held securely, it will be appreciated that the resilience of the side walls 4 also allows it to be removed.

Various modifications (not shown) of the system are envisaged. Although the system has been described for use with a sash window, it will be appreciated that it could be used on different types of window, and is not restricted to those with timber frames. Further, the channel member may be fixed in the groove by any suitable fixing means, such as screws or double-sided adhesive tape. The configuration of the channel member provides sufficient clearance between the fixing means and the foot of the sealing bead for any suitable fixing means.

In a further modification, the profile of the side walls 4 may be modified to suit the profile of a given sealing bead 13.

It would also be possible for the external projection 2 to have a different shape. For example, it could be a fin rather than a pip. The projection 2 could be provided on each side wall 4, not just on one, or its position on the side wall could be altered.

Claims

1. A channel adapted to retain a sealing bead of a window sealing system comprises an elongate substantially U-shaped member of rigid plastics material, having a base and two side walls, the base being adapted to be fixed to a base of a groove in a window frame, and one of the side walls having an external projection of resilient material adapted in use to contact a corresponding wall of the groove.

2. A channel as claimed in claim 1, in which the external projection is a small pip, or a fin.

3. A channel as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the external projection is of a more flexible and resilient plastics material than the rigid plastics material of the U-shaped member.

4. A channel as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the plastics materials are compatible, so that the U-shaped member and the external projection are coextruded.

5. A channel as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the side walls of the U-shaped member are relatively rigid, having an internal profile shaped to hold the sealing bead, and a straight external profile.

6. A channel as claimed in claim 5, in which the side walls flex outwardly to allow insertion of the sealing bead.

7. A channel as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, in which the side walls of the U-shaped member have an internal profile shaped to hold the sealing bead, and a corresponding external profile.

8. A channel as claimed in claim 7, in which the side walls are resilient, so that the sealing bead is a snap fit in the channel.

9. A channel as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the external projection is provided at the free edge of the side wall.

10. A channel as claimed in claim 9, in which the external projection urges the top of the channel to close over the sealing bead.

11. A channel as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the external projection is provided on just one side wall of the U-shaped member, or on each of them.

12. A window sealing system adapted to fit in a groove in a window frame comprises a channel according to any of the preceding claims, together with a sealing bead having a foot adapted to fit into the channel and a member projecting from the foot to provide a seal with a movable window member.

13. A window sealing system as claimed in claim 12, in which the foot of the sealing bead is shaped to correspond to the internal profile of the channel.

14. A window sealing system as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, in which the projecting member forms the seal, or has means for carrying a separate sealing member.