IE83612B1 - Cavity closer - Google Patents

Description

Cavity Closer This invention relates to a cavity closer for use in an opening formed in a cavity wall in which a window or door is to be fitted.

Cavity closers typically comprise a component to be received within the cavity of the wall. In some arrangements, the component includes flanges which project laterally and sit on the surfaces defining the opening. A window or door frame is secured to the cavity closer using a range of techniques. For example, GB 2277768 describes an arrangement in which a window or door frame is clipped to an attachment member which, in turn, is clipped onto the cavity closer. Such an arrangement has the disadvantage, however, that the range of door or window frames with which the arrangement can be used is limited as only a few frame designs are capable of being clipped securely to the attachment member, and the frames may require components to be factory fitted thereto in order to be used in this manner. It is an object of the invention to provide a cavity closer in which this disadvantage is of reduced effect.

According to the present invention there is provided a cavity closer comprising a closer member, a first frame supporting member, a first coupling arrangement whereby the first frame supporting member can be secured to the closer member, a second frame supporting member, and a second coupling arrangement whereby the second frame supporting member can be secured to the first frame supporting member, wherein the closer member is adapted to close, in use, the cavity of a cavity wall, the closer member including outwardly projecting flanges adapted to overlie, in use, parts of the wall defining the cavity.

The first and second frame supporting members, when secured to one another by the second coupling arrangement, conveniently define a channel which, in use receives a door or window frame. The first and second frame supporting members each conveniently define an upstanding wall, the walls extending parallel to one another and facing one another, the walls gripping the frame therebetween, in use.

The first coupling arrangement is conveniently designed to permit the first frame supporting member to be secured to the closer member in a range of lateral positions.

Preferably, the first frame supporting member is shaped to define a projection adapted for engagement with a part of a skin of the cavity wall.

In use, the closer member is secured in position, and the first frame supporting member secured to the closer member. The window or door frame is then positioned against the upstanding wall of the first frame supporting member. After positioning the frame, the second frame supporting member is secured to the first frame supporting member. The use of this technique for securing the frame in position allows a wide range of frames to be used with the cavity closer.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view illustrating a cavity closer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view illustrating an alternative embodiment; and Figures 3 to 6 are views illustrating further alternative embodiments.

Figure 1 illustrates a cavity closer comprising a closer member 10 of elongate plastics construction, conveniently of moulded plastics form, the closer member 10 defining a pair of side walls 12 from the upper ends of which extend flanges 14. The side walls 12 are interconnected by an upper cross-member 16 and a lower cross- member 18. The upper cross-member 16 is spaced from the plane of the flanges 14 and carries a pair of projections 20. It will be appreciated that the side walls 12, upper cross-member 16 and projections 20 define therebetween, three grooves 22. Projections 24 are provided on the side walls 12 and projections 20.

As illustrated, the side walls 12 may be shaped to define channels 12a or to include a range of other features, the provision of such channels or other features being well known.

A first frame supporting member 26 is provided, the first frame supporting member 26 comprising a base region 28 which is integrally formed with a first upstanding wall 30. The end 28a of the base 28 remote from the wall 30 is shaped to define part of a snap—fit coupling permitting the first frame supporting member 26 to be secured to any one of the grooves 26, the projections 24 also forming part of the snap-fit coupling.

The base 28 is shaped to define a groove 32. A second frame supporting member 34 is provided, the second frame supporting member 34 defining a second upstanding wall 36 and a region 38 arranged to be received within the groove 32 in a snap-fit manner.

In use, the cavity closer is used to close a cavity of a cavity wall in which an opening is formed, the opening being intended to receive a window or door frame. The closer member 10 is located within the cavity of the cavity wall, the flanges 14 overlying a part of the wall defining the opening. Once correctly positioned, and bricked or otherwise secured in position, the first frame supporting member 28 is secured to the closer member 10 by inserting the end 28_a_ part thereof into one of the grooves 22, the snap—fit coupling between the first frame supporting member 26 and the closer member 10 ensuring that the first frame supporting member 26 is firmly secured in position. It will be appreciated that the first frame supporting member 26 can be secured to the closer member 10 using any one of the grooves 22, the selection of groove 22 being determined by the desired lateral position of the first frame supporting member 26. After the first frame supporting member 26 has been secured in position, the window or door frame is positioned against the upstanding wall 30 of the first frame supporting member 26, and once the frame has been positioned, the second frame supporting member 34 is secured to the first frame supporting member 26 using the snap-fit coupling defined by the part 38 and the groove 32.

The cavity closer described hereinbefore has a number of advantageous over certain typical arrangements. It will be appreciated that none of the components used in the cavity closer arrangement have a particular handedness, thus assembly of the cavity closer on site is relatively simple. Further, as the first fiame supporting member 26 can be secured using any of the grooves 22 formed in the closer member 10, the window or door frame position can be made on site after the closer member has been secured in position. Further, the technique used to secure the window or door frame in position using the first and second frame supporting members permits the use of a wide range of window and door frames to be secured in position using the cavity closer, the cavity closer further accepting door or window frames made from a range of materials, and not requiring the frames to be factory modified or have components fitted thereto.

Another advantage of the arrangement is that the first frame supporting member 26 can be provided with a rib or projection 40 which will engage the brickwork of the cavity wall, the window or door frame ensuring that such engagement is achieved and maintained.

Another advantage is that, as the upstanding walls 30, 36 define a relatively deep channel, the cavity closer will accept frames which are not of exactly the correct dimensions, the cavity closer having a wide tolerance compared to existing arrangements. Further, the flanges 14 are of low thickness, thus the gap between anything mounted upon one of the flanges 14, for example plasterboard, and the brick or blockwork of the skin of the cavity wall is small.

Figure 2 illustrates an arrangement which is similar to that of Figure 1, the main distinction between the two arrangements being that in the arrangement of Figure 2, only two grooves 22 are provided, the arrangement of Figure 1 having three such grooves. Clearly, the reduction in the number of grooves reduces the number of lateral positions in which the first frame supporting member 26 can be positioned. However, in some applications, this may be acceptable.

Figures 3 to 6 illustrate further possible arrangements and in each case the first frame supporting member 26 can only be located in two positions. In such arrangements, in order to increase the range of positions in which the window or door frame can be installed, a range of designs of first frame supporting member 26 may be provided, Figures 3 and 4 illustrating two alternative designs of first frame support member 26.

Clearly the arrangements of Figures 3 to 6 differ in shape from those of Figures 1 to 2 and it will be appreciated that a range of other designs could be manufactured, the designs all falling within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (6)

Claims

1. A cavity closer comprising a closer member, a first frame supporting member, a first coupling arrangement whereby the first frame supporting member can be secured to the closer member, a second frame supporting member, and a second coupling arrangement whereby the second frame supporting member can be secured to the first frame supporting member, wherein the closer member is adapted to close, in use, the cavity of a cavity wall, the closer member including outwardly projecting flanges adapted, in use, to overlie parts of the wall.

2. A cavity closer as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first and second frame supporting members, when secured to one another by the second coupling arrangement, define a channel which, in use, receives a door or window frame.

3. A cavity closer as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the first and second frame supporting members each define an upstanding wall, the walls extending parallel to one another and facing one another, the walls gripping the frame therebetween, in use.

4. A cavity closer as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first frame supporting member is shaped to define a projection adapted for engagement with a part of the skin of the cavity wall.

5. A cavity closer as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first coupling arrangement is designed to permit the first frame supporting member to be secured to the closer member in a range of lateral positions.

6. A cavity closer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. DERMOT P. CUMMINS & CO., Applicant’s Agents,