GB2128234A

GB2128234A - Insulated frame member

Info

Publication number: GB2128234A
Application number: GB08301054A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Anthony Whiting
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-01-16
Filing date: 1983-01-14
Publication date: 1984-04-26
Also published as: SE8300112D0; GB8301054D0; SE8300112L; DE3301326A1; NL8300109A

Abstract

An elongate frame member, for use in a window, door or other framed assembly, comprises separate elongate structural components 11, 12, 13 and elongate connecting elements 25 of low thermal conductivity, the connecting elements 25 interconnecting the structural components and locating them in spaced parallel relationship and thereby providing a thermal break between them. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to the provision of a thermal break in a window, door or other framed assembly The invention relates to the provision of a thermal break in a window, door or other framed assembly and particularly, but not exclusively, to the provision of a thermal break in frame members which are formed by extrusion.

Hitherto, if it has been desired to incorporate a thermal break within an extruded frame member, the conventional practice has been to form the frame member with a channel which is subsequently filled with settable plastics material of low thermal conductivity, such as synthetic resin. When the resin has set, the web of the channel is machined away so that the resin then forms the only connection between the two parts of the section which were previously connected by the channel. While a thermal break formed by this method may be effective, it can be expensive to produce in view of the number of manufacturing steps involved. Also, the necessity of incorporating a channel in the design of the section of the frame member can impose undersirable limitations on the design of that member.The present invention sets out to provide an improved method of providing a thermal break in a frame member.

According to the invention an elongate frame member, for use in a window, door or other framed assembly, comprises at least two separate elongate structural components and a third elongate connecting element of low thermal conductivity, the connecting element and structural components being so interconnected that the connecting element locates the two structural components in spaced parallel relationship and provides a thermal break between them.

The structural components and connecting element may be so shaped that they are engageable only by relative longitudinal sliding movement between the connecting element and the components, the arrangement being such that the components cannot be separated from the connecting element by displacement transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof. Alternatively, the structural components and connecting element may be so shaped that they may be snapped into or out of interlocking engagement by movement transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof.

Preferably the connecting element is mechanically interconnected between the two structural components. For example, the connecting element and structural components may be formed with interengaging projections and recesses. Preferably the connecting element is formed with at least one projection which is an interference fit in a recess in one of the structural components. Thus, the connecting element may be formed with a longitudinally extending flange which is received within a longitudinally extending groove in the structural component. Preferably the flange on the connecting element projects from a surface of the element which overlies and abuts a surface of the associated structural component when the flange is received in said groove in that component, so that the surface provides support for the element.

The interengagement between the connecting element and at least one of the structural components may be such as to permit limited relative movement between the structural components, when connected by the connecting element, in a direction transverse to the general plane of the frame of which the frame member is to form a part. The arrangement may be such that the insertion of a further component between two structural components of the frame member urges those components to the outer limit of their relative movement so as to hold the connecting element in tension and thus render the frame member rigid. The further component may comprise a locking component introduced between two structural components so as to force them apart, or it may comprise a peripheral edge of a glazing assembly or like panel to be embraced by the frame.

The connecting element may comprise, as viewed in cross-section, a central portion and two flanges extending in opposite directions from the ends of the central portion so that the element is of generally zig-zag configuration.

The frame member may comprise three components including inner and outer cover components connected to opposite sides of a central component by said connecting elements.

The invention includes within its scope a frame member incorporating a thermal break provided by any of the methods referred to above, and also a frame assembled from a number of such frame members.

The following is a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a horizontal section through a vertical stile assembly suitable for a glazed door frame, Figure 2 is a horizontal section through a fixed outer door frame, Figure 3 is a horizontal section through a portion of an alternative form of door and door frame, and Figure 4 is a horizontal section through a portion of a window and window frame.

Referring to Figure 1, the stile or vertical frame member 10 comprises a central component 11 and two similar outer cover components 12 and 13 respectively. The components are formed by extrusion from any suitable material. For example, all three components may be extruded from aluminium.

The central component 11 is generally I-shaped in overall cross-section and comprises a planar backbone or web portion 14 from the opposite ends of which extend flange portions 1 5, 1 6, 1 7 and 18. The flange portions 15 and 17 define a generally U-shaped glazing channel 18.

The two cover components 12 and 13 are similar in cross-section and are shaped along each longitudinal side edge to define a retaining groove 23 and a glazing gasket groove 24.

Connecting elements 25, formed from comparatively rigid plastics material of low thermal conductivity, are provided at each side edge of each cover component to engage the adjacent flange portion of the central component and retain the cover component in engagement with the central component. Thus, each connecting element 25 comprises a central portion formed at one end with a flange 26 which is an interference fit within the retaining groove 23, and at the other edge with an opposed flange 27 which hooks over the extremity of the adjacent flange portion of the central component 11. Each connecting element is thus generally zig-zag shaped in cross-section.

The cross-sectional shapes of the components and connecting elements are so designed that they may only be assembled into the configuration shown in Figure 1 by sliding the connecting elements 25 longitudinally with respect to the components 11, 12 and 13. When the stile has been assembled in this fashion it will be appreciated that the cover components 12 and 13 cannot then be removed by moving them transversely to the longitudinal axis of the stile, but only by sliding them or the connecting elements 25 longitudinally.

However, in alternative arrangements (not shown) the interengaging components may be so shaped that the cover components may be snapped onto the central component by transverse movement.

The dimensions of the connecting elements 25 are such that they will allow no significant movement of the cover components 12 and 13 parallel to the plane of symmetry of the central component (i.e. parallel to the general plane of the frame of which the frame member is to form a part) but will allow movement of several millimetres in a direction perpendicular to that plane.

Since the connecting elements 25 are formed from a material of low thermal conductivity, it will be appreciated that they provide an effective thermal break to prevent heat conduction from the interior to the exterior surface of the frame member.

As will be seen from Figure 1, the connecting elements 25 and edge formations of the cover components 12 and 13 form continuations of the side walls of the glazing channel 18. Glazing gaskets, indicated at 28 and 29 respectively, are located by parts thereof entering the grooves 24 so that the gaskets locate between them the peripheral edge of a sheet of glass, a double glazing assembly or other panel 30.

At the opposite side edge of the stile to the glazing channel 18 there is provided a cover or locking strip 31 of plastics or other suitable material having nibs 32 at its side edges which snap into the grooves 24 in the cover components 12 and 13 respectively so as to provide a flat side edge to the stile.

The dimensions of the components are so selected that when the locking strip 31 and glazing panel 30 are in the assembled position shown, the above-mentioned permitted movement is taken up and the connecting elements 25 are placed under tension so as to render the stile assembly rigid.

It will be appreciated that the particular structural details of the frame member illustrated in Figure 1 are by way of example only and the method of forming a thermal break according to the invention may be applied to many different designs of frame member.

Figure 2 shows the method according to the invention applied to the fixed outer frame of an entrance door. In this case the fixed frame member 40 comprises an outer component 41 and an inner component 42, both extruded from aluminium.

The component 41 is formed with an L-sectioned flange 43 which provides on the component a retaining groove 44 and a support surface 45 adjacent the mouth' of the groove.

Similarly, the component 42 is formed with an L-sectioned flange 46 providing a retaining groove 47 and support surface 48. A connecting element 49, which is generally S-shaped in cross-section and is formed from comparatively rigid plastics material of low thermal conductivity, has the flanges 50 thereof engaging, in an interference fit, within the grooves 44 and 47 respectively so as to connect the two components 41 and 42 rigidly together. The element 49 thus provides an effective thermal break.

The component 41 is formed with a groove 51 which locates a resilient sealing gasket 52 against which the edge of the door 53 abuts when the door is swung to the closed position shown in Figure 2.

Unlike the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the connecting element 49 is not tensioned in use and the rigidity of the frame member 40 thus depends on the rigidity of the connecting element and of the strength of the interference fit of the flanges 50 into the grooves 44 and 47. Although the arrangement is shown applied to a fixed outer door frame, similar arrangements may be applied to other types of outer frames, transoms, mullions and glazing bars and indeed any section which is not subject to torsional load such as would occur, for example, in the frame members of a top-hung or side-hung window when in the open position.

In the alternative arrangement shown in Figure 3 the stile or vertical frame member 110 of the door comprises a central component 111 and two similar outer cover components 11 2 and 11 3 respectively. As in the previously described arrangements, the components may be formed by extrusion from any suitable material, such as aluminium.

The central component 111 comprises a backbone portion 114 which is of hollow box section and from opposite ends of the box-like section 114 extend flange portions 115,116,117 and 118. The two cover components 112 and 11 3 are similar in cross-section and are connected to the central component by zig-zag shaped connecting elements 125 which are connected in similar fashion to the corresponding connecting elements in the previously described embodiments. The connecting elements 125 are formed from comparatively rigid plastics material of low thermal -conductivity so as to provide a thermal break to -prevent heat conduction from the interior to the exterior surface of the frame member.At opposite sides of the frame member there are provided plastics locking strips 131 and 132 which engage within the longitudinal gap between the edges of the cover components 112 and 113. The locking strips are so dimensioned as to urge the cover components 112 and 113 apart to place the connecting elements 125 under tension and thus render the whole frame member rigid.

A glazing strip 1 133 has a portion 134 which snaps into a longitudinal groove in the locking strip132. The cover component 11 3 is also.

integrally formed with a glazing strip 1 35,, and the glazing strips 133 and 135, define a glazing channel to receive the edge of a glazing ,panel 130.

The fixed frame member with which the movable frame member 1-10 co-operates similarly comprises a hollow box-section - backbone portion 140 formed with flanges 141, 142,143 and 144. Plastics zig-zag shaped connecting elements 145 connect cover components 146 and 147 respectively to the flanges on the backbone portion 140, and locking strips 1-48 and 149 engage between opposite sides of the cover components -146 and 147 and place the connecting elements 145 in tension, thus rendering the whole frame member rigid. The - locking strips 148 and 149 are formed of comparatively rigid material of low thermal conductivity, such as plastics, to provide a thermal break between the two sides of the frame member.

One of the cover components 147 is integrally formed with a stop strip 150 against which the frame member 110 abuts when the door is closed and the cover component 112 on the door is similarly formed with a stop strip 151 which abuts the fixed frame member when the door is closed.

The arrangement described is particularly stuiable for frames which are to be mitred at 450 at their corners, since the use of a hollow box section backbone portion for the frame enables the limbs of an L-shaped corner bracket to be inserted in the ends of the box section of the two frame members which abut at each mitred corner, so as to secure the frame members together.

Figure 4 shows sections through a window frame member 152 which co-operates with a fixed mullion or transom 1 53. The construction of the components of the Figure 4 arrangement is generally similar to the components of the Figure 3 arrangement and will not therefore be described in detail. It will be noted, however, that the hollow box-section backbone portion of the frame member 152 is less elongate than the corresponding member 114 of the Figure 3 arrangement and corresponds in shape to the shape of the backbone portion of the fixed mullion on transom 153.

Claims

1. An elongate frame member, for use in a window, door or other framed assembly, comprising at least two separate elongate structural components and a third elongate connecting element of low thermal conductivity, the connecting element and structural components being so interconnected that the connecting element locates the two structural components in spaced parallel relationship and provides'a thermal break between them.

2; A frame member according to claim 1, wherein the structural components and connecting element are so shaped that they are engageable only by relative longitudinal sliding movement between the connecting element and the components, the arrangement being such that the components cannot be separated from the connecting element by-displacement transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof.

3. A frame member according to claim 1, wherein the structural components and connecting element are so shaped that they may be snapped into or out of interlocking engagement by movement transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof.

4. A frame member according to any of claims - 1 to 3, wherein the connecting element is -mechanically interconnected between the two structural components.

5. A frame member according to claim 4, wherein the connecting element and structural components are formed with- interengaging projections and recesses.

6. A frame member according to claim 5, wherein the connecting element is formed with at least one projection which is an interference fit in a recess in one of the structural components.

7. A frame member according to claim 6, wherein the connecting element is formed with a longitudinally extending flange which is received within a longitudinally extending groove in the structural component.

8. A frame member according to claim 7, wherein the flange on the connecting element projects from a surface of the element which overlies and abuts a surface of the associated structural component when the flange is received in said groove in that component, so that the surface provides support for the element.

9. A frame member according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the interengagement between the connecting element and at least one of the structural components is such as to permit limited relative movement between the structural components, when connected by the connecting element, in a direction transverse to the general plane of the frame of which the frame member is to form a part.

10. A frame member according to claim 9, wherein a further component is inserted between the two structural components of the frame member and urges those components to the outer limit of their relative movement so as to hold the connecting element in tension and thus render the frame member rigid.

11. A frame member according to claim 10, wherein the further component comprises a locking component introduced between the two structural components so as to force them apart.

12. A frame member according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the connecting element comprises, as viewed in cross-section, a central portion and two flanges extending in opposite directions from the ends of the central portion so that the element is of generally zig-zag configuration.

13. A frame member according to any of claims 1 to 12 comprising three structural components including inner and outer cover components connected to opposite sides of a central component by two or more connecting elements.

14. A frame member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A framed assembly incorporating at least one elongate frame member according to any of the preceding claims.