GB2144791A - Window condensate drainage - Google Patents

Abstract

A component for attachment to a lower horizontal window member to remove condensate from a pane of glass from the interior of the window to the exterior thereof comprises an extruded strip of plastics material having a trough (16) to receive said condensate and through drainage channels (33, 32, 44) between said trough (16) and an outside wall (41) allow drainage of said condensate. A plurality of supports (14) are provided for fitment of said strip to a window member. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Window frame component This invention relates to a component for attachment to new or existing timber window frames to combat, in use, deterioration due to condensation.

In rooms prone to condensation, moisture condensed on the window panes gathers on the sill or bottom rail (according to the type of window).

Constant exposure to such dampness causes these members to rot, which then requires expensive repair. It is of course possible to overcome this problem by installing double glazing or metal replacement windows, but such a radical approach is also expensive.

It has been known to drill one or more angled holes through the timber member to allow condensed water to drain to the exterior. However, the effect of this is to concentrate and localise rot problems, despite these holes sometimes having waterproof grommets fitted thereon to prevent such rot problems.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a component which is cheap to manufacture and which can be attached to a new or existing window in a simple manner to overcome or mitigate these problems.

The invention accordingly provides a component for attachment to a lower horizontal window member, the component being in the form of an extruded strip of plastics material having an upper surface with an outer part adapted to receive a pane of glass and an inner part having a continuous longitudinal trough stepped inwardly from a shoulder separating the inner and outer parts, said shoulder to act as an abutment for said pane, a ledge extending outwardly from said shoulderto support said pane, and putty to hold said pane against said abutment, and one or more drain passages extending from the trough to the outer surface of the components.

Preferably, the drain passages are provided in supports located at intervals, suitably of 225mm, along the length of the component.

The ledge of the outer part of the upper surface is preferably provided with a longitudinal rib for retaining the pane, and a longitudinal lip at the outer edge of said ledger for use in applying the putty across the rib to the pane.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded isometric view of a component according to the invention in relation to a timber sill and a pane; and Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of one corner of a window frame having said component fitted.

Referring to the drawings, the component 10 is of a one-piece extrusion of plastics material having an upper surface with an outer part adapted to receive a pane 22 of glass and an inner part having a continuous longitudinal gutter trough 16. The trough 16 is provided mid-way of the width of a horizontal limb 28 extending inwardly from the top of a vertical shoulder 20 separating the inner and outer parts, the trough 16 being stepped inwardly from the shoulder by the portion of the limb 28 therebetween. A downwardly inclined limb 30 extends from the inner edge of the limb 28 and is intended to abut against the timber rail of a window frame when fitted. The shoulder acts as an abutment for said pane 22. The outer part comprises a ledge 18 extending outwardly from said shoulder to support said pane 22.A longitudinal upstanding rib 24 is provided spaced outwardly from said shoulder 20 for retaining the pane 22.

At the outer edge of said ledge 18, a vertical wall 42 extends downwardly as shown. A retaining lip 26 projects upwardly from wall 42 at the outer edge of said ledge 18 and for use in applying putty (not shown) across the rib to the pane 22. A flange 37, parallel to ledge 18, extends inwardly from the bottom edge of wall 42 to seat against a bottom rail 12 of a timberwindowframe. An outwardly curving ramp 40 is provided as a downward extension of wall 42 below said flange 37 as shown. A plurality of supports 14 are provided of plastics material. The upper surface of each support 14 complements the lower surface of the component 10. At every, for example 225 mm centres along the rail 12, the rail is checked out or rebated as shown in broken line in Figure 1 to provide a seat 36 for a support 14. The rebated surface complements the lower surface of a support 14.Drain holes 33 are provided in the trough 16 and wall 40 at 225 mm centres. Each support 14 has an angular bore 44 is provided as shown. The supports 14 are each glued in position prior to the component 10 being fitted, with drain holes 33 in the component aligned with drain outlets 32 of bore 44.

The glueing of the supports 14 and component 10 makes the drainage channels watertight to conduct such water condensate to the exterior of wall 42.

Each support 14 has a rebate 39 into which seats flange 37.

Weep holes (not shown) can be provided in the component 10 between shoulder 20 and rib 24to be located below the pane 22, the weep holes each to align with a passage provided in supports 14 communicating with the drain channels whereby any moisture gaining access to the said ledge 18 under the pane can drain through the weep holes and passage to the drainage channels.

Angular end pieces 46 for ledge 18 and shaped trough end ramps 48 are provided as shown in Figure 2 to be glued at each end of a component to seal the ends and thereby prevent condensate escaping into a timber rail to which the component is fixed.

The components can be applied to an existing or newly-made timber window frame in a simple and economical manner: viz. the component 10 is cut to the required length of the rail 12. Checks 36 are cut in the rail 12. The component 10 is then simply pinned to the rail 12 between supports 14 with brass pins; holes 38 are provided at 150 mm centres to receive the pins. The window frame is then glazed and replaced, either with a new pane of glass of slightly less height or with an existing pane trimmed to the new height.

It will be appreciated that the component of the invention need be applied only to those parts of a window at the foot of a pane, either a fixed or sash window or windowed door. The component can be provided in more than one width to suit different widths of timber rails.

Claims (8)

1. A component for attachment to a lower horizontal window member, the component being in the form of an extruded strip of plastics material having an upper surface with an outer part adapted to receive a pane of glass and an inner part having a continuous longitudinal trough stepped inwardly from a shoulder separating the inner and outer parts, said shoulder to act as an abutment for said pane, a ledge extending outwardly from said shoulder to support said pane and putty to hold said pane against said abutment, and one or more drain passages extending from the trough to the outer surface of the components.

2. A component as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the drain passages are provided in supports located at intervals, suitably of 225mm, along the length of the component.

3. A component as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the ledge of the outer part of the upper surface is provided with a longitudinal rib for retaining the pane.

4. A component as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3 wherein a retaining lip is provided at the outer edge of said ledge for use in applying the putty across the rib to the pane.

5. A component as claimed in Claim 1,2,3 or 4, wherein a plurality of supports are provided to be adhered to the undersurface of said strip, in spaced locations the upper surface of said supports complementing the lower surface of said strip and the lower surface of said supports complementing rebates to be provided in a timber rail to which the strip isto be secured.

6. A component as claimed in Claim 6, wherein drain holes are provided in the trough and in a wall of said outer part and an angular bore is provided in each support to be watertightly secured to said strip with the drain holes and outlets of said bore aligned.

7. A component substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A window frame when fitted with a component substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.