GB2051197A

GB2051197A - Window Mounting Assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2051197A
Application number: GB7920648A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Blacknell Buildings Ltd
Current assignee: Blacknell Buildings Ltd
Priority date: 1979-06-13
Filing date: 1979-06-13
Publication date: 1981-01-14

Abstract

A window mounting assembly includes a window frame having four inwardly facing recessed and slotted surfaces 4. Twelve locating clips 10, having jaws 14, are screwed into the frame surfaces 4, and a bedding gasket 30 is wrapped round a double glazed window unit 26. The wrapped unit 26 is rested against the clips 10 and pushed against the frame step 8. A rectangular retainer frame having inclined arms 18 and 20 is aligned with the clips 10, and prongs 24 on the retainer arms 18 are pushed into respective jaws 14 to retain the window unit 26 in position pressed against the frame step 8. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Window Mounting Assembly Technical Field The present invention relates to a window mounting assembly for mounting a window pane in a support structure, such as, for example, a wall of a building. In this Specification, the expression "window pane" includes any sheet-like material, whether transparent, translucent or opaque, intended to be retained in a support structure. The expression "window pane" is also intended to include a single sheet or a plurality of spaced parallel sheets such as, for example, a double glazed window unit. The expression "window" includes any form of opening or aperture, such as, for example, a partition wall section or door.

Background Art One conventional window frame includes a stepped portion defining the frame opening; this stepped portion constituting a forward side of the frame rebate to receive the peripheral regions of the window pane. It is desirable to be able to use this conventional type of frame with a double glazed window pane unit in which two parallel, aligned rectangular glass panes are spaced a small distance from one another. The two panes are retained in their spaced relationship by either a rectangular frame or four spacing strips secured to the aligned peripheral portions of the frames to define a closed space between the frames. This space can be evacuated in order to increase the heat and sound insulation of the double glazed unit.

One method of mounting a double glazed unit into the aforementioned conventional window frame is to have the peripheral region of the unit stepped so as to be complementary to the stepped portion of the frame. A disadvantage of this stepped construction is that it increases the expense of the double glazed unit.

Statement of Invention and Advantages It is an aim of the invention to provide a window mounting assembly suitable for mounting a window pane having a straight edge; i.e. a nonstepped edge, and accordingly there is provided a window mounting assembly comprising a frame having a stepped portion defining a frame opening surrounded by recessed inward facing sides of the frame, locating means secured to said inward facing frame sides to locate a window pane in the opening with peripheral regions of the pane resting against said stepped portion, and retaining means adjustably engageable with the locating means to press said pane peripheral regions against said stepped portion thereby retaining the pane in the frame.

In a preferred embodiment the locating means consists of a plurality of locating members adapted to be secured to the frame. Each locating member may be a clip having a coupling portion adapted to engage the retaining means. This coupling portion may comprise space barbed jaws adapted to receive therebetween and engage a complementary prong on the retaining means.

Preferably, the retaining means may be a rectangular frame in which each frame side has two inclined arms; one arm forming the prong to engage one or more locating members, and the other arm being adapted to act on the peripheral region of the pane. The window mounting assembly may include a gasket which is located on and covers the said other arm of the retainer frame.

FigureS in the Drawings An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a window frame and a locating clip, Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing part of a window pane mounted in the frame, Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing one retaining strip bearing on the window pane, Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing a gasket located on the retaining strip, Figure 5 is a view of the upper part of Figure 4 Idoking along the direction of the arrows 5-5, Figure 6 is a diagrammatic front view of the frame with locating clips fitted, Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 of a modified assembly, and Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 5 of another modified assembly.

Detailed Description of Drawings For clarity, corresponding components of the different assemblies have been given the same reference numerals.

Referring to the drawings, one window mounting assembly of the invention includes a rectangular window frame in which each of its four sides 2 has a recessed inward facing surface 4 having a slot 6 extending longitudinally along its length. The surfaces 4 bound and define the frame opening to receive a window pane, and each side 2 includes a step 8 at the front of each recessed surface 4. The frame is constructed of timber and polyvinyl chloride to provide an attractive appearance together with the advantages of timber construction.

Three aluminium locating clips 10 are secured to each frame side 2 by a wood screw 12 screwed into the recessed surface 4, and each locating clip 10 consititues a platform or guide surface for a double glazed window pane unit to be hereinafter described. Each clip 10 includes a pair of parallel spaced jaws 14 which are barbed on their inner faces, and a projecting flange 1 6 extending perpendicularly from one of the jaws 14. Each clip 10 and frame side 2 are dimensioned so that when the clip 10 is correctly in position the forward edge of the clip abuts the step 8 and the flange 16 abuts the rearward face of the slot 6 as shown in Figure 5.

Although this described embodiment uses twelve locator clips 10, any suitable number of clips could be used provided that there are at least two clips for each frame side 2.

Referring to Figures 3. 4 and 5 the assembly includes an aluminium retained frame of rectangular construction, in which each frame side comprises two arms 18 and 20, and a base 22 to rest against the recessed surface 4 of the frame side 2. The forward portion of the arm 18 is shaped to form a barbed prong 24 dimensioned to engage with the barbed jaws 14 to locate the retainer frame at a desired position with respect to the locating clips 10. It will be appreciated that by advancing or withdrawing the prong 24 into and out of the jaws 1 4 it is possible to adjust the distance of the retainer arm 20 from the step 8.

The assembly is intended to mount a double glazed unit 26 having two parallel aligned rectangular glass panes which are spaced apart by an aluminium rectangular spacing frame 28 extending around the inner facing peripheral regions of the glass panes. The double glazed unit 26 is wrapped in a bedding gasket 30 of polyvinyl chloride which is nicked at the corners to provide a continuous single length. One side of the wrapped gasket 30, which will be hereinafter referred to as the forward side, has a downwardly tapered overhang portion 32.

In order to provide an attractive appearance to the rearward or inner edge of the mounting assembly, an edge gasket is shaped to make a press fit on the retainer frame. This edge gasket consists of four strips 34, and each strip is of substantially the same length as its respective retainer frame side. The strips are each cut and mitred at 45C at each end so that when all four strips are mounted on their respective sides of the retainer frame, the strips provide a continuous rectangle.

In order to mount the double glazed unit 26 in the frame, twelve locating clips 10 are screwed into the recessed surface 4 of the frame with three clips 10 in each frame side 2. The bedding gasket 30 is wrapped around the double glazed unit 26, and the wrapped unit 26 is rested against the mounted locating clips 10 and pushed against the frame step 8 with the overhang portion 32 resting on the upper surface of the step 8 as illustrated in Figures 3 to 5.

The retainer frame is then aligned with the locating clips 10, and the prongs 24 are pushed into their respective jaws 14 until the frame arms 20 act on the bedding gasket 30 to press the wrapped double glazed unit 26 against the frame step 8 thereby retaining the unit 26 in the frame.

Finally the four strips 34 of the edge gasket are pressed onto their associated arms 20 of the retainer frame to cover the retainer frame.

It will be appreciated that the described and illustrated window mounting assembly enables a straight edge i.e. a non-stepped edge double glazed unit to be securely mounted in a conventional stepped window frame. Double glazed units of differing thicknesses can be mounted in the frame by adjusting the extent to which the prongs 24 of the retainer frame are inserted in the jaws 14 of the locating clips 10.

The edge gasket is preferably constructed of polyvinyl chloride, but both the bedding gasket 30 and the edge gasket can be made of any suitable rubberised or plastics material.

Instead of the locating clips 10 it is possible to use any suitable form of locating means. Two examples of a suitable construction are a rectangular locater frame dimensioned to sit in the frame opening, or four locater strips with each strip of substantially the same length as its associated window frame side.

Similarly it is possible to have other forms of retainer means such as, for example, four retainer strips with each strip of substantially the same length as its associated window frame side.

Referring to Figure 7, another window assembly of the invention includes a retainer gasket 36 in place of the aluminium retainer frame having arms 18 and 20, and the edge gasket 30 consisting of the four strips 34.

The retainer gasket 36 is in the form of a rectangular frame, and each frame side comprises two arms 38 and 40, and a base 42 to rest against the recessed surface 4 of the frame side 2. The forward portion of the arm 38 is shaped to form a barbed prong 44 having the same dimensions and function as the prong 24 of the assembly of Figures 1 to 6.

The arm 40 has the same function as the combined arms 20 and edge gasket locater strips 34 of the assembly of Figures 1 to 6. The retainer gasket 36 is constructed so that the regions 46 and 48 are flexible and the remainder of the gasket is rigid. One example of-a suitable material for the retainer gasket 36 is a mixture of polyvinyl chloride and rubber having the trade name Lozaron.

In operation, the retainer gasket 36 is aligned with the locating clips 10, and the prongs 44 are pushed into their respective jaws 14 until the gasket arms 40 act on the bedding gasket 30 to press the wrapped double glazed unit 26 against the frame step 8 thereby retaining the unit 26 in the frame.

It will be appreciated that the retainer gasket 36 retains the double glazed unit 26 firmly in position, and provides a weather proof cover for the rearward or inner edges of the unit 26.

Figure 8 illustrates another window assembly of the invention which includes a back-up gasket 50 of polyvinyl chloride in place of the bedding gasket 30. The back-up gasket 50 is in the form of a rectangular frame, and each frame side comprises two arms 52 and 54 which are perpendicular to one another, and a locating finger 56. The window assembly also includes a retainer gasket 58 which replaces and has the same function as the retainer gasket 36. This retainer gasket 58 differs from the gasket 36 by having a single flexible region 60 in place of the two flexible regions 46 and 48 of the gasker 36, and three locating fingers 62 in place of the flexible region 48 of the gasket 36. One example of a suitable material for the retainer gasket 58 is a mixture of polyvinyl chloride and rubber having the trade name Lozaron.

In operation the arms 52 and 54 of the backup gasket 50 are secured to the upper and inner surfaces respectively of the step 8 by means of self-adhesive strips 64 so as to locate the gasket 50 on the step 8 with the locating finger 56 extending inwardly of the window frame opening.

The twelve locating clips 10 are then screwed into the recessed surface 4 of the frame with three clips 10 in each frame side 2. Each clip 10 is dimensioned and arranged so that when the clip 10 is correctly in position, the forward edge of the clip abuts the gasket arm 54, and the clip flange 1 6 abuts the rearward face of the slot 6 as shown in Figure 8.

The double glazed unit 26 is rested against the mounted locating clips 10, and pushed against the gasket arm 54 and the locating finger 56.

The retainer gasket 58 is aligned with the locating clips 10, and the prongs 44 are pushed into their respective jaws 14 until the gasket locating fingers 62 act on the double glazed unit 26 to press the unit 26 against the arm 54 and locating finger 56 of the back-up gasket 50 thereby retaining the unit 26 in the frame.

The back-up gasket 50 and the retainer gasket 58 each consists of four separate strips. The strips of each gasket are cut and mitred at 450 at each end to enable four strips to be combined to form the appropriate back-up gasket 50 or retainer gasket 58.

Referring particularly to Figures 4 and 5, the strips 34 are made of polyvinyl chloride, although any other suitable plastics material could be used.

Claims

1. A window mounting assembly comprising a frame having a stepped portion defining a frame opening surrounded by recessed inward facing sides of the frame, locating means secured to said inward facing frame sides to locate a window pane in the opening with peripheral regions of the pane resting against said stepped portion, and retaining means adjustably engageable with the locating means to press said pane peripheral regions against said stepped portion thereby retaining the pane in the frame.

2. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1, in which the locating means includes a flange arranged to abut a slot edge in the said stepped portion when the retaining means is correctly positioned in the frame.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 2, in which the locating means comprises a plurality of locating members adapted to be secured to the frame.

4. An assembly as claimed in Claim 3, in which each locating member is a clip having a coupling portion adapted to engage the retaining means.

5. An assembly as claimed in Claim 4, in which the coupling portion comprises spaced jaws adapted to receive therebetween and engage a complementary prong on the retaining means.

6. An assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the retaining means is a frame.

7. An assembly as claimed in Claim 6, in which the frame side has two inclined arms; one arm adapted to engage said locating means, and the other arm adapted to act on the peripheral region of the window pane.

8. An assembly as claimed in Claim 7, as dependent upon Claim 5, in which said one arm forms a prong to engage said jaws.

9. An assembly as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8, including a gasket to cover said other arm.

10. An assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the retaining means is made of aluminium.

11. An assembly as claimed in Claim 8, in which said retaining means is predominantly rigid and has flexible regions acting on the said inward facing frame sides and the window pane.

12. An assembly as claimed in Claim 11, in which the said flexible region acting on the window pane comprises at least one locating finger.

13. An assembly as claimed in Claim 12, including three of said locating fingers.

14. An assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 13, in which said retaining means is made of a mixture of polyvinyl chloride and rubber.

15. An assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the locating means is made of aluminium.

16. An assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, adapted for mounting a double glazed window unit.

17. A window mounting assembly substantially as herein described and shown in the accompanying drawings.