IE970654A1 - Improvements in or relating to window or door assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

A rectangular sub-frame having side profiles (2) is built with its cavity closer (4) between the bricks and blocks of wall leaves which have a check reveal. Each side profile (2) has a ridged base wall (6), from one edge of which projects an abutment (8). An extension wall (10) projects from the abutment. After building internal blocks underlie the base wall (6) to one side of the cavity closer (4) and external bricks underlie the extension wall (10) to the other side of the cavity closer (4). A window frame is pushed into place within the rectangular sub-frame which includes the side profiles (2), from the inside of the building, and is made secure therein by means of metal spring legs (not shown) carried by the profiles (18) of the window frame. The spring legs engage against the ridges in the base wall (6).<Fig.1>

Description

This invention relates to the fitting of window or door frames into sub-frames built into a building. The invention relates in particular to the fitting of window or door frames, into sub-frames having parts which act as cavity closers, located in the cavity between inner and outer leaves of a cavity wall.

Various ways have been proposed before, for fitting the frame of a door or window into a sub-frame. A first general approach is to employ fixing means to secure the window or door frame in its correct location in the subframe, with the fixing means being engaged in place after the window or door has been moved to that location. A general problem with this approach is that the window or door frame, which may often be pre-glazed and so may be heavy and unwieldy, roust be held in place whilst the fixing means are engaged in place.

Some systems employ snap-in features which mean that when the window or door frame is located in the sub-frame, by being pushed into it from the external side, the act of pushing it in brings about secuxemenL. In one example, the snap-in action is achieved by metal plates of spring steel, as described In EP-B-35643U, fitted to the window or door frame and engaging with a tooth or teeth on a specially designed sub-frame, as described in EP-A-521992Another example is given in GB-B-221153S, in which example the window or door frame has a co-moulded resilient leg, which clips over a part of the sub-frame.

Such systems are designed for use in new buildings in which there is a planar reveal. That is, the end face of the blockwork of the inner wall leaf, and the end face of OPBN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 28 AND RULE 23 JNL NO..1233.......OF - 2 the brickwork of the outer wall leaf, lie in the same plane.

Check reveal building methods are increasingly being used. In these methods the reveal constituted by the end faces of the brickwork and blockwork is not planar but has a step. This arises because either the brickwork or the blockwork is built somewhat inwardly of the other. Typically the external brickwork extends somewhat inwardly, relative to the internal blockwork. The advantages of this method of building are that it provides a clean installation, with greatly improved draught resistance and minimal cold-bridging between the window and the cavity between the blockwork and the brickwork. This means that the window must be fitted from the inside of the building. The chcckc in the reveal arc typically present in the vertical elements of the window cavity, the horizontal reveals being planar.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a rectangular sub-frame comprising two side profiles, an upper profile and a lower profile, the subframe being for use in a check reveal building method, each side profile having a base wall for engagement against the reveal of an internal leaf of the building, and from which projects a cavity closer part, an abutment projecting transversely from the base wall in the opposite direction to the cavity closer part, and an extension wall extending transversely from the abutment, substantially parallel to the base wall, for engagement against the reveal of an external leaf of the building.

Preferably, the abutment is located along one lateral edge of the base wall. - 3 Preferably, the extension wall extends from the upper edge of the abutment.

Preferably, said cavity closer part is spaced from one lateral edge of the base wall but not from the other lateral edge, the edge from which the abutment projects in preferred embodiments.

Preferably, the base wall has means which provide ’’automatic” securement of a window or door frame to the sub-frame. That is to say, the action of bringing the parts together brings about securement. For example, fixing means of spring steel, each having one or more resilient legs, may be secured to the window or door frame profile for engagement with a tooth or teeth defined on the base wall. Examples of suitable fixing means are given in EP-B-356430.

Preferably, the base wall of the upper and lower profiles may also have such means for automatic securement of a window or door frame, to the sub-frame, along these profiles.

Preferably the arrangement is such that the movement of the window or door frame into the sub-frame in a direction from the interior towards the exterior of the building brings about such ''automatic'' securement.

The lower profile preferably has a said cavity closer. The upper profile may or may not have a cavity closer. For example, the upper profile may have a cavity closer adapted to extend up inside a lintel so that the sub-frame may have a cavity closer along all four peripheral edges thereof. Alternatively, the upper profile may have no cavity closer and may for example be - 4 substantially flat on top so as to fit below the lintel. Thus, the sub-frame may then have a cavity closer along three peripheral edges thereof. An upper profile which has no cavity closer and is flat on top may be a simple relatively flat profile, to act as a cross-brace, for example of plastics with metal reinforcement. Alternatively it may be deeper, and be of hollow box section, having a base wall preferably adapted on its underside to engage the window or door frame, a rear portion to be located internally of the building and a front wall portion to be located externally, and ventilation openings theret.hrotigh to allow air communication between the inside and outside of the building. Preferably the front wall portion of the upper profile provides a hood projecting outwardly over the window or door frame. This improves the weather resistance of the fitted window or door. The hood may be comprised by an upper wall which slopes downwards in the outward direction, and an under-wall. The under-wall preferably has a ventilation opening or openings. The under-wall may be generally horizontal, but preferably slopes downwards in tile outward direction, but at a lesser angle to the horizontal than the upper wall of the hood. The hood may include a drainage opening or openings through the base wall of the upper rail, located inwardly of the ventilation opening or openings.

The rear wall portion of such an upper profile preferably comprises an upright wall which has a ventilation opening or openings. Suitably the ventilation opening or openings is/are under the control of damper means, which a user may operate from the inside of the building, in order to control the degree of ventilation. - 5 Such an upper profile may have one or more internal strengthening walls, and the or each said strengthening wall has an opening or openings not less in area than the opening or openings of either of the front wall portion, or the rear wall portion. Generally the area of the ventilation opening or openings of the front wall portion is substantially equal to that of the ventilation opening or openings at the rear wall portion.

Preferably, such an upper profile ic formed with at least one screw port, preferably located within the hollow box section, to receive a screw from the respective side rail. Preferably there are two screw ports.

It will be appreciated that one or both of the upper and lower profiles may be substantially similar to the side profiles as described. In particular, one or both of the upper and lower profiles may include; a base wall; optionally, a cavity closer; optionally an abutment; and, when there is an abutment, optionally an extension wall, the latter being used for example if the horizontal reveals have checks. Normally, however, the upper and lower profiles have a said base wall but no extension wall, and preferably also no abutment. The lower profile preferably has a cavity closer. Whether the upper profile has a cavity closer or not will depend largely on the design of lintel specified. If the lintel can accommodate the cavity closer the upper rail will preferably have one.

Preferably the upper profile has a base wall part which extends beyond the position on the base wall which corresponds to the position on the side profiles from which the abutment extends. Such an arrangement is suitable for structures in which the upper horizontal reveal does not have a check. The base wall then has - 6 flanks which rest against the end faces of both wall leaves .

Preferably the lover profile has a base wall part which extends beyond the position on the base wall which corrccponde to the position on the side profiles from which the abutment extends. Such an arrangement is suitable for structures in which the lower horizontal reveal does not have a check. The base wall then has flanks which rest against the end faces of both wall leaves.

Preferably each of the four profiles has a flank which rests against the end face of the brickwork or blockwork and a flank which rests against the end face of the other of the brickwork or blockwork, the latter flank being an extension wall as defined above when there is a check in the reveal and an extension of the base wall when there is no check in the reveal. Preferably substantially the entire width of the cavity therebetween accommodates a said cavity closer, at least in the case of the side profiles, preferably also in the case of the lower profile and optionally, depending on the design of lintel specified, in the case of the upper profile.

Profiles used to make up the sub-frame, preferably the side profiles at least, may be non-unitary parts, comprising two or more profile portions securable together, preferably by press-fitting.

Suitably the cavity closer may be comprised by a first profile portion; and the abutment and extension wall, required at least in the side profiles, may be comprised by a second profile portion. The second profile portion may also comprise the base wall or a part thereof, — 7 — being that part which is adjacent to the abutment. When the second portion comprises only a part of the base wall the remainder of the base wall may be comprised by a said first profile portion. Alternatively it may be comprised by a third profile portion.

For upper and lower profiles not requiring an extension wall, or not requiring an extension wall and an abutment, corresponding profile portions to those described above, but without an extension wall, or without an extension wall and abutment, may be provided.

In certain embodiments the profiles used to make the sub-frame may comprise a first profile portion which comprises the base wall and, at least in the case of the side profiles, the abutment and extension wall; and separately, a second profile portion which comprises the cavity closer.

Preferably, the sub-frame of the invention is adapted for a system in which a window or door is fitted from the inside of a building.

Preferably, the sub-frame is formed of four profiles which may be mitred together at the corners, e.g in a fusion or heat weld. Preferably however three profiles, typically the two side profiles and the bottom profile, are mitred together for example by welding and the fourth profile, typically the upper profile, is then press fitted, screwed to or clipped into or onto the mitred profiles to form the sub-frame. Thus, the fourth profile can be added after welding to suit the particular building application. This latter method is particularly suitable when the upper profile is flat or has no cavity closer since it can be difficult to mitre together irregular or - 8 different shaped profiles. Suitably the cavity closer comprises longitudinal screw ports, preferably one at each corner, to facilitate screw fitting of a generally flat upper profile to the side profiles.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a side profile per se, as herein defined.

In accordance with a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of securing a window or door within a sub-frame, the method being as herein described.

In accordance with a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts, the parts being as defined herein, for making up a rectangular sub-frame as described herein.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-section through side profiles of a sub-frame and a window frame; Fig. 2 is a cross-section through bottom profiles of the same sub-frame and the window frame, including the cill; Figs. 3 to 5 show the component profile portions of the sub-frame profiles shown in Figs. 1 and 2; - 9 Figs. 6 and 7 are cross-sections respectively through a side profile and a bottom profile of a second embodiment; Figs. 8 and 9 are cross-sections through two embodiments of upper profile, each providing for ventilation therethrough; and Fig. 10 is a cross-section through a simple upper profile, not providing for ventilation therethrough.

The sub-frame profile in Fig. 1 is a side profile arranged vertically in use. It comprises a cavity closer 4, projecting transversely from one side of a base wall 6 and, projecting transversely from the other side of the base vail, from one lateral edge thereof, an abutment 8. From the upper edge of that abutment there is an extension wall 10 parallel to but not overlying the base wall G. The spacing between the extension wall 10 and the base wall 6, corresponding to the height of the abutment 8, is equal to the depth of the check which is built into the reveal of a house under constructionIt will be observed in Fig. l that the sub-frame profile is formed in two parts, each of which is a UPVC extrusion. The first part shown in Fig. 3 comprises the base wall 6, abutment 8 and extension wall 10. The second part shown in Fig. 4 comprises the cavity closer 4. The parts are a press-fit together, by means of resilient longitudinal tangs 12 formed on the first part engageable with longitudinal hook formations 14 formed on the second part.

The. cavity closer has a screw port 15 at each corner, to facilitate screw fitting to the upper profile. - 10 As shown in Fig. 1 the sub-frame profile has an array of longitudinal ratchet teeth 16 extending up to the abutment 8. By means of the ratchet teeth the profile 18 of the window frame may be. secured by a push-in method, as will be described later.

Fig. 2 shows bottom profiles of the sub-frame and window frame. The bottom profile of the sub-frame is the same as sub-frame profile 2, but without the abutment 8, since the reveal i3 planar along the bottom of the window opening. The bottom profile is formed by press-fitting together the profile portions shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The profile, designated 20, comprises a cavity closer 22 and a base wall 24. The base wall has a base wall portion 25 which extends beyond the position on the base wall which corresponds to the end of the base wall of the side profile. The effect is that the cavity closer 22 is spaced from each lateral edge 26 of the base wall 24. The cill 27 is secured to the lowermost profile 28 of the window frame, by means such as screws, not shown.

The upper horizontal profile of the sub-frame in this embodiment is shown in Fig. 5, and is the same as the lower horizontal profile 22, except that it lacks a cavity closer. The reveal is planar along the top of the window opening. The part shown in Fig. 5 also functions as a profile portion to be joined to the profile portion shown in Fig. 4, suitably to thereby form a lower profile of the sub-frame, as shown in Fig. 2. The part shown in Fig. 5 may be reinforced by a metal strip (not shown).

In assembling the sub-frame from the profiles the side profiles and lower profile are joined together, usually by welding. When the upper profile has a cavity closer it may suitably be joined to the side profiles by - 11 welding. When the upper profile does not have a cavity closer it may suitably be joined to the respective side profile by one or more screws passing through it and into respective screw ports 15. To facilitate this the tangs 12 of the upper profile, or portions thereof lying where the screws will pass, may be. trimmed or snapped off.

In use, once the rectangular sub-frame comprising the four profiles has been constructed the wall leaves are built around it. The eub-frame acts as a former, as the outer leaf of brickwork and the inner leaf of blockwork (not shown) are built up. The outer leaf of brickwork ie built up against the external side face 30 of the cavity closer, the abutment 8 and the extension wall 10. The inner blockwork is built up against the inner side face 32 of the cavity closer, and the base wall 6 inwardly of the cavity closer. It will be apparent that vertical reveals or the brickwork and blockwork thereby have a check or step. The horizontal reveals do not. Once the brickwork and blockwork are completed, and the lintel has been secured in place, the window frame which comprises four of the profiles 18 and 28 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the lower profile having secured beneath it the ci 11 27, may be fitted from the inside of the building. In this embodiment the window frame will be fitted with metal spring fixings (shown as 152 in Figs. 8 and 9, and further described in EP-B-356430) . They cooperate with the teeth 16 of the base wall along all four sides of the sub-frame. The window frame is pushed along the sub-frame until it can go no further, because of the abutments 8. If wished, the builder may, instead of or in addition to the metal spring fixings, use screws or the like to secure the window frame within the sub-frame, by screwing down through both of them. - 12 Once the window frame has been secured in place the glazing panel (not shown) is secured in place in standard manner, and if screws were used for fixing the window frame, the screw heads are thereby hidden.

In the second embodiment shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the overall shape of profiles is similar to that of the side and lower profiles shown in Figs. 1 and 2, except that the construction of the profile just beneath the base wall is less intricate, having fewer enclosed chambers, thus simplifying the extrusion tooling. However there is a significant difference in relation to the profile portions which make up the profiles. The major profile portion 40 common to Figs. 6 and 7 comprises the cavity closer 42 and a major portion of the base wall, up to the end of the array of ratchet teeth 44 nearer to the abutment 46. The minor profile portion 48 shown in Fig. 6 comprises the non-toothed remainder 50 of the base wall, the abutment 46 and the extension wall 52. The minor profile portion 54 shown in Fig. 7 comprises simply the non-toothed remainder of the base wall, including a portion 56 which extends beyond the cavity closer 42. The minor profile portions are snapped into engagement with the major profile portions, by means of longitudinal barb and hook formations similar to those of the first embodiment. In this second embodiment the side profiles are as shown in Fig. 6 and the lower profile is as shown in Fig. 7. The upper profile may be as shown in Fig. 7, when there is no check in the horizontal reveal and the lintel specified has an opening which can accommodate the cavity closer 42.

In situations where there is no check in the horizontal reveal any of the upper profiles of Figs. 8 to 10 may be used, instead of the upper profile of Fig. 7. - 13 The profiles of Figs. 8 and 9 are preferred, in providing for useful ventilation therethrough.

The upper profile 102 of Fig. 8, shown secured to a window frame profile 104, is a UPVC extrusion of hollow box section. It has a base wall 112, a rear wall 114, a top wall 116, and a front hood portion 113, projecting outwardly (that is to the exterior of the building) comprising a slant wall 120 and a horizontal under-wall 122. The under-wall 122 is connected to the base wall 112 by a short return 124. There are three sections within •the upper profile, as a result of the provision of two internal strengthening walls 126, 128. The rear wall 114 has a downward extension 13 0 beyond the base wall 112. Within the top rail, carried by the base wall 112 and top wall 116 respectively, are screw ports 132, 134. The outer side of the base wall 112 is formed with a series of engagement teeth, in the manner and for the purpose described in WO 91/14066. Accordingly they will not be described In detail herein.

A ventilation pathway is provided through the upper profile 102. A rectangular slot 136 is provided within the rear wall 114. A rectangular slot 138 is provided in the under-wall 122. Rectangular slots are also provided within the internal walls 126, 128. All of these slots are of the same area and in this embodiment that area is 8,000rom2. The amount of this area which is used is controlled by a standard manually-operated damper 140 carried by the rear wall 114, internally of the building, in use. The rectangular slot 138 in the under-wall 122 is covered by an external grille 141.

It should be noted that each side profile is secured to the upper profile by means of two screws 148, 150, each - 14 of which passes through the side profile, and into a respective screw port 132, 134 of the upper profile.

Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of upper profile, which differs from the embodiment of Fig. 8 only in relation to the design of the underpart of the front hood. The first difference is that the under-wall 122 is set at an angle to the horizontal, being slanted downwardly in the outward direction. The second difference is that the return 124 has an extension 160 above, the. under-wall 122. The third difference is that the base wall 112 has a slot 162, or slots, adjacent to the return 124 and running parallel to the slot 138. The fourth difference is that a transverse wall portion 164, internal to the upper profile and parallel to the return 124, projects from the base wall. Thio transverse wall portion 164 may have perforations adjacent to the base wall to allow water to pass through. These differences together improve the water resistance of the upper profile. In the unlikely event that water passes through the rectangular ventilation slot 138 to flow over the extension 160, the slot 162, or slots, and the transverse wall portion 164 will together assist water to run out of the upper profile. beyond that, the further slot 162, or slots, provides additional ventilation.

There are substantial advantages in providing a ventilation pathway through the sub-frame, rather than through the frame of a door or window, as previously carried out. These include the following:the structural integrity of the frame of the door or window is not affected. We consider it more structurally sound to provide openings through the subframe, which is generally a more substantial part and - 15 which is rigidly secured in place, by being built into the walls. - a greater degree of ventilation can be provided. Frames of windows or doors are becoming very slim, and thia means that only relatively narrow openings can be provided therein. it is aesthetically more appealing, because the internal ventilation openings are provided further away from the window or door panel. The window or door panel itself has the same appearance on each of its four sides. No longer does one side look different, as a result either of having an opening formed in it (possibly a very long opening because of the slimness of the frame). In an alternative prior art approach an add-on profile to the window frame (shown for example in Fig. 3 of GB 2275718A) is not of attractive appearance. the ventilation pathway may, if wished, terminate in an external hood, to give improved weatherproofing. The use of an external hood also helps to screen the lintel from external view. there are no problems in designing or opening sliding sash windows. With such windows there can be problems with opening clearances, when a ventilation damper is fitted internally, on the frame of the window.

Fig. 10 shows a simple cross-bracing upper profile having an extruded aluminium strip 200 secured by screws (not shown) to a UPVC extruded profile 202, having much lesser depth than the upper profiles of Figs. 8 and 9, and not providing a ventilation pathway therethrough. It has a drainage channel 204. The exterior portion of the UPVC - 16 profile 202 is formed with a small hood 206. The underside of the UPVC profile 202 is not provided with engagement teeth, unlike the upper profiles previously described, engagement along three sides of the sub-frame being adequate in this embodiment. Also, unlike the upper profiles shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the upper profile of Fig. 10 does not have screw ports to receive horizontal screws passed through the side profiles. Rather, screws are passed vertically through the upper profile and into the screw porte provided in the side profiles, shown in Figs. 1 and 6. Typically at least two screws are used at each joint.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. - 17 The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (13)

1. A rectangular sub-frame comprising two side profiles, an upper profile and a lower profile, the. sub-frame being for use in a check reveal building method, each side profile having a base wall for engagement against the reveal of the internal leaf, and from which projects a cavity closer part, an abutment projecting transversely from the base wall in the opposite direction to the cavity oloser, and an extension wall extending transversely from the abutment, substantially parallel to the base wall, for engagement against the reveal of the external leaf.

2. A sub-frame as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the abutment is located along one lateral edge of the base wall.

3. A sub-frame as claimed in claim l, wherein the extension wall extends from the upper edge of the abutment.

4. A sub-frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said cavity closer part is spaced from one lateral edge of the base wall but not from the other lateral edge.

5. A sub-frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base wall has means which provide securement of a window or door frame to the subframe, such that the action of bringing the parts together brings about securement. - 19

6. A sub-frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lower profile comprises a base wall and a cavity closer but no abutment or extension wall, and the upper profile comprises a base wall, but no cavity closer, abutment or extension wall.

7. A sub-frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each side profile comprises a first part which comprises the cavity closer; and a second part which comprises the said abutment and cxtencion wall; these parts being a press-fit together.

8. A sub-frame as claimed in Claims 6 and 7 together, wherein the lower profile comprises a said first part as defined in Claim 7, and a different second part from that claimed in Claim 6, comprising a extension of the base wall in the same plane, when the two parts are press-fitted together.

9. A sub-frame as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upper profile provides a ventilation pathway therethrough.

10. A side profile per se, as herein defined in any of Claims 1 to 5 or 7.

11. A method of securing a window or door within a subframe, the method using a sub-frame as claimed in any of Claims l to 9.

12. A method as claimed in Claim ii, wherein a door or window frame is fitted into a sub-frame as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, from the inside of a building. »70654 - 20

13. A sub-frame, side profile or fitting method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.