WO2004070155A1

WO2004070155A1 - Window vent

Info

Publication number: WO2004070155A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/000430
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jane Cynthia Margaret Harding
Original assignee: Jane Cynthia Margaret Harding
Priority date: 2003-02-07
Filing date: 2004-02-04
Publication date: 2004-08-19

Abstract

A window vent for mounting in a window frame (10) to allow communication between the inside and the outside of the window has two parts (16, 18) which can be pushed into a slot (20) through the window frame, from opposite sides of the frame. The two parts then form an enclosed passage through the window frame through which air can circulate, and no tools or other fixings are needed to retain the vent in place in the slot.

Description

WINDOW VENT

The invention relates to a window vent for mounting in a window frame to allow the circulation of air between opposite sides of the frame and therefore between the interior and exterior of a building when the window frame is mounted in a wall of the building.

It is common in the building trade to insert vents into window frames which allow the air to circulate in and out of a room when the window is shut. Such vents are often required by certain Statutory Regulations, particularly in rooms or properties where there is gas heating.

According to the invention, there is provided a window vent for mounting in a window frame to allow communication between opposite sides of the frame, the vent having two parts which can be pushed into a window frame from opposite sides, the parts being adapted to form an enclosed passage through the window frame through which air can circulate.

Having two parts which combine across the width/thickness of a window frame to form an enclosed passage substantially prevents ventilation air from flowing all around hollow spaces in the frame which are often present, particularly in frames made up from extruded sections.

Each part of the vent may have a mounting face which, in use, will be located at a surface of the frame, and a duct portion which, in use, will extend within the frame, and each part can be a single plastics moulding. The duct portion of one part has dimensions such as to receive the duct portion of the other part with a snug fit so that the duct portions together form a single passage through the vent. The duct portions are preferably oval when seen in cross-section and are symmetrical about the major axis of the oval shape, so that the duct portion of one part can be received in the duct portion of the other part either way up. If one (or both) of the parts has a canopy through which ventilation air enters or leaves, the vent can be assembled with the canopy opening upwards or opening downwards . The vent part with the larger dimension duct portion will normally be fitted on the side of the frame which will be on the exterior of a building and the vent part with the smaller dimension duct portion is adapted to be fitted on the internal side of the frame.

The two duct portions of the two parts preferably slide one within another and have interengaging formations which can engage with each other at a range of different positions. One of the duct portions can have a range of parallel ridges at right angles to the axial direction of the duct portion, and the other duct portion can have at least one ridge to engage with a ridge of the range on the said one portion, at a position which depends on the extent of overlap between the duct portions . This enables the duct portions to be pushed together as far as they will go, and then to lock against each other. It is then not necessary to provide any other means to hold the two parts to the window frame.

The vent can include acoustic damping material to hinder sound transmission through the vent. The damping material can be a single, shaped body which fits in the passage through the vent, and can be inserted in one or other of the duct portions (preferably the smaller one) before the duct portions are pushed together from opposite sides of the window frame .

The mounting face of at least one of the parts can include a movable flap which can be moved to vary the flow cross- section of the passage through the window frame. One or both of the mounting faces can include a heat or humidity sensor adapted to operate a mechanism for opening and closing the movable flap.

One or both of the mounting faces can include a detachable grille extending across the passage. One suitable type of grille is a so-called 'hit and miss' grille which has a fixed part and a movable part so that the grille openings can be opened or closed by moving the movable part relative to the fixed part.

A solar panel and a light source powered by the solar panel can be mounted on the external mounting face of the window vent, to provide illumination around the windows. The light source could be switched on by a PIR sensor. There may also or alternatively be a battery charged by the solar panel which stores energy and provides a power source for the light above the window during the hours of darkness and/or for the mechanism for moving the flap.

Insertion of the vent parts into the frame is preferably limited by outwardly extending flanges mounted adjacent the mounting faces which abut a surface of the window frame when the vent parts are fully inserted. Seals may be fitted between the flanges and the adjacent window frame surfaces .

The invention extends to a window frame incorporating a window vent as set forth above .

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a representation of a window frame containing a window vent;

Figure 2 is a perspective sectional view of a window vent according to the invention in a window frame;

Figure 3 is a perspective sectional exploded view of two parts making up the window vent of Figure 2 ;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the window vent of Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective, exploded view of the window vent and window frame; and

Figure 6, 7 and 8 show three alternative forms of grille for fitting at an end of the window vent.

Figure 1 shows a window frame 10 which is built into a wall 14 and which has a double glazed window pane 9. A vent 12 is fitted at the top of the frame to allow circulation of air between opposite sides of the wall 14.

The vent 12 fits into a slot 20 formed through the thickness of the window frame 10. The frame 10 shown in Figure 2 is hollow, with opposite side walls 10a and 10b. The walls 10a and 10b each have a slot formed in them, and the slots in the two walls line up with one another. As can be seen in Figure 2, the vent 12 has two main parts, one of which will be inserted into the slot 20 from the internal side of the frame (the internal part 16) through wall 10a, and the other of which will be inserted from the external side (the external part 18) through wall 10b. Both the internal part 16 and the external part 18 have canopies 15,17, each fitted with a grille 11,19.

A vent passage is formed through the vent, with the air flow through the vent being indicated by arrow 100. Ventilation air passes through the grilles (which are present to prevent flies and other foreign objects from passing through the vent) .

Figure 3 shows more details of the internal and external parts 16,18. Both parts have external flanges 13 which will abut external surfaces of the window frame 10 when the parts 16,18 are introduced into the slot 20 from their respective opposite sides.

The internal part 16 and the external part 18 each have a duct portion 26, 24. The dimensions of these duct portions are such that the portion 26 fits inside the portion 24, to complete an enclosed passage through the vent. The extent of overlap between the two portions will vary, depending on the thickness of the frame . The portions are pushed into the slot 20 and into each other until the flanges 13 abut external surfaces of the frame 10.

The parts 16, 18 are moulded as single, unitary plastics components.

An array of parallel ridges 25 is formed on both the internal faces of the overlapping duct portion 24 on the external part 18 and the external faces of the overlapping duct portion 26 on the internal part 16 of the vent 12. These ridges will interlock when the two parts, 16 and 18, are pushed into place inside the slot 20 in the frame. This engagement holds the two parts to each other, and the contact between the flanges 13 and the frame holds the vent in place in the frame .

A sound-insulating cartridge 21 can be included in the vent, to prevent or at least hinder the passage of noise between opposite sides of the window. The cartridge 21 is placed in the vent passage, so as to occupy substantially the full cross-section of the passage. The cartridge may have a set of parallel ridges 25 on its upper and lower surfaces. The internal part 16 may also have parallel ridges on its internal surfaces (not shown) which can engage with the ridges 25 on the upper and lower surfaces of the sound insulating cartridge 21. This enables the cartridge to be set in a fixed position within the internal part 16. In use therefore, the cartridge 21 is placed in the internal part 16, and then both the internal part 16 and the external part 18 are inserted into the slot 20 from opposite sides of the frame until the duct portion 26 slides inside the duct portion 24, and the two parts are then pushed into one another, with the ridges 25 clicking over one another, until the flanges 13 make contact with surfaces of the window frame .

The parts 16 and 18 are constructed so that they can be fitted either way up. In Figure 3, the canopies 15, 17 are shown both opening downwards. However the parts 16, 18 can be fitted so that both canopies open upwards, or so that either one opens upwards and the other opens downwards.

Figure 4 shows a fixed (downwardly open) canopy 17 on the part 18. At the mouth of the canopy, a grille 19 is fitted. This grille can take a variety of forms, as will be described below. The grille has peripheral noses 50 which snap into corresponding sockets 52 formed in the canopy area of the part 18.

A solar panel (photovoltaic cell) 40 is fitted on the external surface of the canopy. This can be used to provide power for a number of different purposes, in particular lighting and/or opening of the ventilation passage .

The canopy on the internal part 16 is of a different design. This canopy comprises a flap 27 hinged at one edge 28 and spring-biased to the open position shown in the drawing. In the open position, a grille 19a mounted on the flap extends across the ventilation passage. The flap also has a catch by which it can be held in the closed position, against the spring force which tries to open the flap. The catch, located at the bottom edge of the flap, can be of the push-push type, ie push to open and push to close. A detent on the edge of the grille 19a may engage behind a ridge on the part 16, to limit the opening movement of the flap. The arrow 29 indicates the opening and closing movement of the flap.

As an alternative to the spring-loaded operation of the flap 27, a motor 42 can be mounted in the vent, to be powered by the solar cell, and this can provide a positive drive to operate the opening and closing action of the flap. The flap can be fully open or fully closed or can be set at any intermediate position, to give the amount of ventilation required by a user at any time.

Figure 5 shows that the vent is elongate, with rounded ends and fits into a correspondingly shaped slot 20.

The grilles shown in Figures 6,7 and 8 are interchangeable and any one of them can be used at either end of the vent . In all cases, fitting the grille is simply a case of snapping the noses 50 into sockets 52 provided in the moulding of the internal and external parts, or using attachment points provided on a flap such as the flap 27 when the grille is to be mounted on a movable flap.

Figure 6 shows a grille 28 designed to conform with the gas regulations and which can be clipped inside either or both of canopies 15 or 17 on the internal part 16 and/or the external part 18 of the vent 12 respectively.

Figure 7 shows a hit and miss grille 30 with a slidable shutter 54 which can be slid longitudinally to either open or close the slots 31 to vary the flow cross-section of the passage through the window frame 10.

Figure 8 shows a grille 32 to which is attached a light source, in this case a light tube 60. The tube 60 is mounted between end sockets 62, and may derive its power from a solar panel 40. The possibility of using mains electric power is also not excluded.

The light tube will be on the inside of the grille, so that the light from the tube will pass out through the slots in the grille. The light will therefore be directed downwards. If the light is on the external side of the vent, it will light up the windows in an attractive manner at night. This light may also act as a security light by deterring burglars .

The canopy 17 of the external part, when it faces downwards, will prevent rain entering the passage but will allow air to pass into the passage. The grille inside the canopy prevents insects passing through the window vent.

As previously mentioned, the internal part of the window vent may be inverted so that the canopy faces upwards. This is more suitable for complying with the gas regulations and also reduces sound penetration as it allows the incoming air to flow upwards . Temperature and/or moisture sensors can be provided as part of the vent system. These sensors can sense the ambient environment and provide signals to a motor (such as the motor 42) to open or close the vent in accordance with pre-programmed instructions.

The sound-insulating cartridge 21 may be a frame of plastic or aluminium or any other suitable material filled with acoustic damping material, or may simply be a block of acoustic damping material . The acoustic damping material should not unduly impede air flow through the passage . An advantage of a separate sound insulating cartridge is that it can either be fitted initially along with the window vent or at a later date, for example if the building regulations alter, or if sound insulation is required after the vent has been first installed.

The adjustable vent flap described here may be used in other applications, and thus the invention extends to a window vent which has an intake and/or an outlet with an adjustable aperture, where the size of the aperture is variable, and is controlled by a sensor in accordance with ambient conditions. The sensor may for example vary the size of the aperture in response to changes in light level, temperature, pressure or humidity.

The window vent described here can be used with window frames of a range of widths/thicknesses, without any modification being needed to the two main parts. Furthermore, once the slot 20 has been formed, the vent can be fitted without the need for any tools, adhesives or additional fastenings.

The construction whereby one part is sleeved within the other adds strength to the vent and helps to maintain the shape of the passage through the vent.

If the exact width of the window frame is known then it may not be necessary to provide for the adjustment represented by the ridges 25. Instead, only a single clip fastening may be needed so that once the two parts have been pushed into the window frame and clipped together they won't slide out again.

However, the advantage of having multiple ridges on the overlapping portions is that the same vent components may be used for many different thicknesses of window frames. Depending on the frame thickness, the two parts will overlap to different extents, but will always be held to each other by engagement between a set of the ridges 25.

The invention can also be applied to cavity closers. In many buildings with cavity walls, cavity closers are fitted between the two skins of the wall, to close the cavity and to provide a mounting for a window frame which can then be fitted in the building wall opening by engagement with the cavity closers .

Cavity closers are typically hollow sections accessible from both the opposite sides of the wall. The hollow section can thus be used to provide a vent passage between opposite sides of the wall, and vent openings can be fitted to allow a ventilation passage to be provided by way of the cavity closer. The vent flaps can be manually operated, or motorised as described above.

Claims

1. A window vent for mounting in a window frame to allow communication between opposite sides of the frame, the vent having two parts which can be pushed into a window frame from opposite sides, the parts being adapted to form an enclosed passage through the window frame through which air can circulate.

2. A vent as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each part of the vent has a mounting face which, in use, will be located at a surface of the frame, and a duct portion which, in use, will extend within the frame.

3. A vent as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein each part is a single plastics moulding.

4. A vent as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the duct portion of one part has dimensions such as to receive the duct portion of the other part with a snug fit so that the duct portions together form a single passage through the vent .

5. A vent as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the duct portions are oval when seen in cross-section and are symmetrical about the major axis of the oval shape, so that the duct portion of one part can be received in the duct portion of the other part either way up.

6. A vent as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the vent part with the larger dimension duct portion is adapted to be fitted on the side of the frame which will be on the exterior of a building and the vent part with the smaller dimension duct portion is adapted to be fitted on the internal side of the frame.

7. A vent as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the two duct portions of the two parts slide one within another and have interengaging formations which can engage with each other at a range of different positions.

8. A vent as claimed in Claim 7, wherein one of the duct portions has a range of parallel ridges at right angles to the axial direction of the duct portion, and the other duct portion has at least one ridge to engage with a ridge of the range on the said one portion, at a position which depends on the extent of overlap between the duct portions.

9. A vent as claimed in Claim 8, wherein, in use, the duct portions are held within the frame by the engagement of the ridges.

10. A vent as claimed in any preceding claim, which includes acoustic damping material to hinder sound transmission through the vent .

11. A vent as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the damping material is a single, shaped body which fits in the passage through the vent, and can be inserted in one or other of the duct portions (preferably the smaller one) before the duct portions are pushed together from opposite sides of the window frame.

12. A vent as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 11, wherein the mounting face of at least one of the parts includes a movable flap which can be moved to vary the flow cross-section of the passage through the window frame.

13. A vent as claimed in Claim 12, wherein one or both of the mounting faces can include a heat or humidity sensor adapted to operate a mechanism for opening and closing the movable flap.

14. A vent as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or both of the mounting faces includes a detachable grille extending across the passage.

15. A vent as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the grille is a so-called 'hit and miss' grille which has a fixed part and a movable part so that the grille openings can be opened or closed by moving the movable part relative to the fixed part.

16. A vent as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a solar panel and a light source powered by the solar panel are mounted on the external mounting face of the window vent, to provide illumination around the windows.

17. A vent as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the light source is connected to a PIR sensor which will switch the light on when needed.

18. A vent as claimed in Claim 16 or Claim 17, including a battery charged by the solar panel which stores energy and provides a power source for the light above the window during the hours of darkness and/or for the mechanism for moving the flap.