WO2009095694A1

WO2009095694A1 - Apron flashing for window

Info

Publication number: WO2009095694A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/000277
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Plunkett Coyle
Original assignee: Keystone Lintels Limited
Priority date: 2008-02-01
Filing date: 2009-02-02
Publication date: 2009-08-06

Abstract

An apron flashing (1, 2) for windows comprises a single flat sheet of material (10) having a lengthwise cut-out (12) extending inwardly along one elongate side (14), the sheet being formed by being drawn over a mould of a required shape to provide a substantially flat apron portion (16) with an upstanding wall formed by wall portions (17, 18) along three sides of the cut-out, the apron portion being translated curvingly into the upstanding wall whereby the waterproof integrity of the material is not compromised.

Description

APRON FLASHING FOR WINDOW

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an apron flashing for a window, particularly, but not exclusively, a roof window. An apron flashing is used to shed away rainwater from the bottom and/or top of a window.

BACKGROUND ART

Heretofore, apron flashings for windows are each formed from two or more parts of sheet aluminium material, usually including a front and two side portions. The front portion is substantially rectangular and is upwardly curved along one elongate side and the side portions have an upstanding wall of similar height to the curved side. The portions are connected together by lock seams. Disadvantages of these lock seams is the cost and labour in the preparatory work in cutting out and forming the pieces to form the seam joints and that it is not always possible to ensure that the seams form sound waterproof joints.

An object of the present invention is to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid disadvantage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is an apron flashing for a window, the apron flashing being formed from a single substantially flat sheet of material having a lengthwise cut-out extending inwardly along one elongate side, the sheet being drawn over a mould of a required shape to provide a substantially flat apron portion with an upstanding wall formed by wall portions along three sides of the cut-out, the apron portion being translated curvingly into the upstanding wall whereby the waterproof integrity of the material is not compromised.

Ideally, the apron portion is curvingly translated into the upstanding wall.

In one embodiment the apron flashing the top of one wall portion of the upstanding wall is translated at a substantial right angle into a ledge extending between the other two side wall portions. Conveniently, the ledge is adapted to engage with a window frame member onto which it is placed in use. Advantageously, the ledge is provided along its rear edge with a downturned peripheral lip which is adapted to grip a window frame member when the apron flashing is fitted to a window frame.

In another embodiment, the upper edges of the upstanding wall portions are provided with a downturned peripheral lip which is adapted in use to engage with a window hood.

Ideally, the marginal edge of the apron portion is beneficially kinked downwardly or bent upwardly.

Alternatively, the apron portion is extendable by a strap of lead or lead like material secured along its marginal edge.

Ideally, the single sheet from which the apron is formed is aluminium.

Conveniently, the single sheet is formed into the apron flashing by being drawn over a mould of a required shape.

Alternatively, the single sheet is other than aluminium provided it has substantially the same or similar characteristics for forming over a mould without impairing its waterproof integrity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, the apron flashing of the invention.

IN THE DRAWINGS:

Fig. 1 is perspective view of an apron flashing according to the present invention, the flashing shown being a lower flashing suitable for use at the bottom of a window;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apron flashing of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apron flashing of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an apron flashing according to the present invention, the flashing shown being an upper flashing suitable for use at the top of a window;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the apron flashing of Fig, 4; and

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the apron flashing of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, apron flashings 1 , 2 for use at the bottom and top of a window respectively, are shown. The apron flashings are formed from a single substantially flat sheet 10 of material, preferably aluminium, having a lengthwise cut-out 12 extending inwardly along one elongate side 14. The sheet 10 is drawn over a mould of a required shape to provide a substantially flat apron portion 16 with an upstanding wall formed of wall portions 17, 18 along three sides of the cut-out 12, namely a front side portion 17 and two side wall portions 18. The apron portion 16 is translated curvingly into the upstanding wall whereby the waterproof integrity of the aluminium material is not compromised. In Figs. 1-3 apron flashing 1 which is adapted for use at the bottom of a window is shown whereby the top of the front side portion 17 of the upstanding wall is translated at a substantial right angle into a ledge 22 extending between the two side wall portions 18. Ledge 22 is adapted to engage with a window frame bottom member on to which it is placed in use. Extending along the rear of ledge 22 there is provided a downturned peripheral lip 23 which is adapted to grip the window frame bottom member when the apron flashing is fitted to the window frame.

The marginal edge 20 of the apron portion 16 of flashing 1 opposite to cut-out 12 may be kinked downwardly as shown in Figs 1 , 2 and 3. This kink is beneficial when the flashing is to be fitted to a roof having a flat or slate surface however where the roof is tiled this kink can be replaced by or augmented with a strap of lead or lead-like material (not shown) which is secured along the marginal edge of the apron portion.

The marginal edge 20a of the apron portion 16 of flashing 2 opposite to cut-out 12 is upturned as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

As shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, apron 2, which is adapted for use at the top of a window, is provided with downturned peripheral lip 24 which extends inwardly along the upper edges of wall portions 17, 18, the lip being adapted to engage with a window hood over which the apron is fitted. In use, an apron flashing when fitted to the bottom and/or top of a roof window overlaps the tiles/slates or is integrated into a tiled/slated or other covered roof of a building in a conventional manner.

The material can be other than aluminium provided it has substantially the same or similar characteristics for forming over a mould without impairing its waterproof integrity.

It will of course, be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apron flashing (1 , 2) for a window, the flashing being formed from a single sheet of material (10) having a lengthwise cut-out (12) extending inwardly along one elongate side (14), the sheet further comprising a substantially flat apron portion (16) with an upstanding wall formed by wall portions (17, 18) along three sides of the cut-out, the apron portion being translated into the upstanding wall so that the waterproof integrity of the material is not compromised.

2. An apron flashing (1 , 2) for a window as acclaimed in Claim 1 , wherein the apron portion is curvingly translated into the upstanding wall.

3. An apron flashing (1) for a window as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the top of one wall portion (17) of the upstanding wall is translated at a substantial right angle into a ledge (22) extending between the other two side wall portions (18).

4. An apron flashing (1) for a window as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the ledge (22) is adapted to engage with a window frame member onto which it is placed in use.

5. An apron flashing (1) for a window as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the ledge (22) is provided along its rear edge with a downtumed peripheral lip (23) which is adapted to grip a window frame member when the apron flashing is fitted to a window frame.

6. An apron flashing (2) for a window as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the upper edges of the upstanding wall portions (17, 18) are provided with a downturned peripheral lip (24) which is adapted in use to engage with a window hood.

7. An apron flashing (1 , 2) for a window as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a marginal edge (20, 20a) of the apron portion (16) is kinked downwardly or bent upwardly.

8. An apron flashing (1) for a window as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apron portion (16) is extendable by a strap of lead or lead like material secured along its marginal edge.

9. An apron flashing (1 , 2) for a window as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the single sheet (10) is aluminium.

10. An apron flashing (1, 2) for a window as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the single sheet (10) is formed by being drawn over a mould of a required shape.

11. An apron flashing (1 , 2) for a window as herein described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.