IE67384B1

IE67384B1 - Window assembly

Info

Publication number: IE67384B1
Application number: IE930080A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Ernest Malcolm Heywood Scholes
Original assignee: Scholes Ernest M H
Priority date: 1992-02-04
Filing date: 1993-02-04
Publication date: 1996-03-20
Also published as: GB9302206D0; GB2263928B; GB2263928A; IE930080A1

Abstract

A window assembly (40) is built-up from frames made of extruded material e.g. UPVC and which is intended to simulate the appearance of a double hung sliding sash type window of traditional design, in which the assembly comprises an outer frame (50) having a transom which divides the frame into an upper window aperture and a lower window aperture, a first glazed unit (43) hingedly mounted in the upper window aperture and a second glazed unit (55) mounted in the lower of the window aperture; in which the lower one of the glazed units (55) is inset relative to the upper one of the glazed units (43) by an amount sufficient to make it appear that the units could be slid up and dawn one in front of the other, thereby to simulate a traditional design of timber framed sash window.

Description

WINDOW ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a window assembly, and particularly, though not exclusively, to an open out, top hung window assembly constructed from extruded material sections, for example UPVC or aluminium, and which is capable of simulating the appearance of a double hung sliding sash window assembly.

It is desirable to be able to supply UPVC or replacement windows which have a traditional or distinctive appearance, and which are made traditionally from timber framed assemblies; for example, the customer may wish to have windows installed which confer a particular character or appearance to the property. One example of such windows are the traditional double hung sliding sash type windows.

Replacement UPVC windows of the sliding sash type are currently available, but these units tend to be quite expensive, whereas the types of UPVC replacement window assemblies which can be manufactured more economically, namely rectangular framed window assemblies having a fixed transom to separate a top open-out hinged unit and a bottom fixed window unit, cannot provide any effective simulation of traditional sliding sash window designs in the current state of the art.

The invention has been developed primarily, though not exclusively, with a view to address these problems by providing a conversion or modification of existing styles of manufacture of windows of the top hung open out type to a window having the appearance of the traditional style double hung sliding sash window.

The invention therefore provides for a simulation of a sliding sash type window assembly, such as a traditional design of timber framed sash window, while using modern materials which require virtually no.maintenance.

Thus, a supplier of e.g. UPVC windows may manufacture window assemblies with the traditional double hung sliding sash appearance, but using existing designs of frames and -2window units in the factory without incurring unacceptable or high setting up and tooling costs. Therefore, windows of this type can be provided at reasonable and attractive prices to the consumer when compared to existing sliding sash window units constructed from extruded UPVC or aluminium sections.

According to the invention there is provided a window assembly having frames made of extruded plastics material and intended to simulate the appearance of a double hung sliding sash type window, said assembly comprising: an outer frame of extruded plastics material having a transom which divides the frame into an upper window aperture and a lower window aperture; a first glazed unit hingedly mounted in the upper window aperture for movement between open and closed positions, said first unit having a rectangular frame made of extruded plastics material;and a second glazed unit fixedly mounted in the lower window aperture, said second unit having a rectangular frame made of extruded plastics material and of which the top horizontal frame member forms said transom; in which the second glazed unit is inset relative to the first glazed unit by an amount sufficient to make it appear that the units could be slid up and down one in front of the other, and in which the vertical side frame members of the rectangular frame of the first glazed unit are prolonged to form decorative end pieces which overlie the transom and also the upper end of the vertical side frame members of the rectangular frame of the second glazed unit.

To enhance the simulation of a traditional timber frame sash window design, the decorative end pieces may comprise simulation of sash window horns. Alternatively, the required decorative end pieces may be formed by separate addon components. -3An externally fixed outer frame feature of uniform thickness may be secured to the external face of the outer frame and projects from the outer frame to a point level with or beyond the external face of the upper sash or vent. This gives the impression that the upper vent is wholly contained within the outer frame of the window assembly. Again traditional double hung sliding sash vents are wholly contained and slide within the outer frame of the window.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of window assembly comprising top hung open out window, fixed outer frame and fixed glazed unit prior to assembly; Figure 2 is a front view of the assembled window, having the appearance of a traditional double hung sliding sash window according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of window assembly; and, Figure 4 is a side view of the second embodiment.

A window assembly according to the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 is generally indicated by reference 40 and comprise frame sections made of extruded material, such as UPVC for preference, or aluminium. The assembly 40 comprises a top hung open out window 41 mounted in an upper aperture 51 of a fixed frame assembly, generally indicated by 50, with suitable hinging means. The hinging of the window assembly 41 may be achieved with friction side stays mounted on the sides 52 of the upper aperture 51 of frame 50 and to the side rails 42 of the assembly 41 , or with conventional hinges at the top.

The hinged sash window (vent) 41 comprises a glazed unit 43 mounted via beads 43a within a frame with mechanical or welded joints 44 and 45 between the side rails 42 and top and bottom rails 47. Side rails 42 are prepared with extending shaped end portions 46 or horns. This gives the -4window the appearance of a traditional sliding sash window assembly .

Fixed outer frame 50 is constructed with normal head 48, sill 49 and sides 52 welded together with a transom 53 welded or mechanically jointed to the outer frame, to divide outer frame 50 into upper aperture 51 for openable window assembly 41, and a lower aperture 54 in which a fixed window unit 55 is mounted via side pieces 56 and transom 53. Make up side extrusions 56 are clipped or fixed by screws or other suitable means to the sides of the lower window aperture 54 and horizontally displace the plane of fixed glazed unit 55 mounted in the lower aperture 54 from that of the openable window assembly 41. Thus, upper glazed unit 41 is displaced from the lower glazed unit 55 to simulate the appearance of two sash-type glazed panels which are normally able to slide past each other, as in traditional sliding sash windows.

Thus, the lower glazed unit is inset relative to the plane of the upper (open—out) glazed unit, and gives the appearance that the two units could be slid up and down, one in front of the other like a traditional sliding sash type· window assembly .

Figure 2 shows the fully' assembled and converted window having the appearance of a traditional double hung sliding sash window. The complete unit has an outer frame feature 50a fixed to the external face of the head and side rails of the outer frame 50 and projecting from the outer frame to a point level with, or beyond the projection of the top hung sash 41 . An optional make up extrusion 57 may be added to the upper surface of the bottom of the outer frame 50 and performs the same function as side extrusion pieces 56. This gives the appearance that both sashes are wholly contained and slidable within the outer frame 50 of the window assembly .

The outer frame is connected to a UPVC sub sill 59 to complete the effect. The preferred shape of the end portions 46 of the top hung sash is shown in both Figures 1 and 2; however, ends formed with alternative or decoratively shaped' -5or patterned end portions would still achieve the same effect.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, this shows a.modified embodiment within the scope of the invention and designated generally by reference 60, having an aluminium or PVC external frame, in which a top window unit 61 is mounted by fasteners 62 shown in Figure 4, and which is built-up from a welded frame, and which is provided with decorative end pieces or horns 63, which may be attached as an integral part of the window unit during assembly, or may be applied subsequently by being attached by any suitable means.

Figure 4 shows aluminium clip assemblies 64 employed in the assembly of the top hung window unit.

This embodiment also provides a simulation of a traditional double hung sliding sash type window..

Claims

1. A window assembly having frames made of extruded plastics material and intended to simulate the appearance of a double hung sliding sash type window, said assembly comprising: an outer frame of extruded plastics material having a transom which divides the frame into an upper window aperture and a lower window aperture, a first glazed unit hingedly mounted in the upper window aperture for movement between open and closed positions, said first unit having a rectangular frame made of extruded plastics material; and a second glazed unit fixedly mounted in the lower window aperture, said second unit having a rectangular frame made of extruded plastics material and of which the top horizontal frame member forms said transom; in which the second glazed unit is inset relative to the first glazed unit by an amount sufficient to make it appear that the units could be slid up and down one in front of the other, and in which the vertical side frame members of the rectangular frame of the first glazed unit are prolonged to form decorative end pieces which overlie the transom and also the upper end of the vertical side frame members of the rectangular frame of the second glazed unit. 2. A window assembly according to Claim 1, in which the sash window decorative end horns”. pieces comprise simulation of 3 . A window assembly according to claim 2, in which the decorative end pieces comprise separately formed components attached to the lower ends of the vertical side frame members of the rectangular frame of the first glazed unit.

2. 4 . A window assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 , in which an externally fixed outer frame feature of uniform thickness is secured to the external face of the outer frame and projects from the outer frame to a point level with or 3 beyond the external face of the first glazed unit.

3. 5. A window assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, including aluminium clip assemblies employed in the assembly of the first glazed unit.

4. 6. A window assembly according to Claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in any one of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.