GB2258681A

GB2258681A - Window condensate collector and drain

Info

Publication number: GB2258681A
Application number: GB9103821A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William John Mccollough Fryer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-02-23
Filing date: 1991-02-23
Publication date: 1993-02-17
Also published as: GB9103821D0

Abstract

This device was designed to provide a universal yet D.I.Y. solution to the perennial problem of condensation forming on the inside of window panes. Condensation forms on the inside of the window pane (c) and then travels downwards; the unique design of the channel (e) automatically collects the water in a central reservoir serviced by a drainage hole (g) and, by means of a connecting tube (h), deposits the water outside. <IMAGE>

Description

WINDOW CONDENSATE COLLECTOR AND DRAIN This invention relates to a device which is intended to collect the dew-point deposition of water on the internal surfaces of windows and to cause this reflux to flow, after collection, to the external sill of the window.

Various assemblies are well known in the prior art to collect or absorb water reflux from windows but all suffer from various disadvantages. For example in the GB 2085951 the teachings are that the problem may be overcome by the modification of the bottom rail of new window frames and therefore almost completely rule out the facility of retro-fitting. In its only example of modification for existing frames it calls for the boring of many drain holes across the rail. In the case of GB 2170251 the innovation calls for a channel to collect the reflux and a sump to store it for disposal to the outside.In this case the sump contains an absorbent brick material to assist the collection and herein lies a major disadvantage in that the reflux water from the windows of living quarters contains minerals and nutrients and it is difficult to prevent the growth of bacteria in this block with the attendant odour problems. In the case of GB 2211234 the gutter which is placed to collect the reflux passes it through a tube to a bottle or container for internal collection thus putting an extra chore for the housewife who has to take time to dispose of this stale water.

All these disadvantages are overcome in the following innovation where there is provided a window condensate collector and drain which comprises an integrated assembly which collects the window reflux in a longitudinal channel whose floor slopes to a central point in its length where the resulting pool runs by its own hydrostatic head to the outside sill via a provided knurled outlet tube.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:- Figure 1 shows in perspective the separate components of the integrated assembly.

Figure. 1A illustrates a profiled box channel.

Figure. 2 shows in perspective a sectional view of an installed unit.

Referring to the drawings the window condensate collector and drain comprises a plastic channel D which can accept and neatly accommodate a pair of wedge shaped inserts E. In the centre portion of this channel D there is moulded a knurled plastic outlet tube G on to which can be push-fitted a flexible plastic tube H. The whole unit can be fixed to a vertical impervious surface by the use of double sided adhesive tape F.

In another embodiment the plastic condensate collection channel D can be replaced by a channel J which has a sloping circular section or profile.

When installed as a retro-fit as is the case in Figure 2 the channel D rests on the internal window board A which is normally affixed to the window sill G and in this case the impervious surface for good fixing of the tape F is the varnish or gloss finish of this sill.

Under the above described conditions of fit the collector and drain blend well into surroundings, even though a small hole has to be drilled through the sill B, and are almost invisible to the outside viewer; but there is no reason why in many cases the unit cannot be affixed directly to the glass of the window and the drain tube lead through the glass via a small hole which is now very easily drilled using the DIY range of silicon carbide spade shaped glass drills.

The described components can be easily packed as separated parts for the DIY unit sales and it is apparent that the wedge inserts E can be supplied long so that when fitting to various sizes of windows they can be trimmed at the apex ends and it is not important whether the space on either side of G is bounded by the thin ends of the wedges or the cut-off butts which in some cases could be 2 to 3 mm in depth In practice the wedge inserts integrate to the channel by the use of a contact adhesive.

Claims

1. A device for collecting condensation from a window pane comprising a P.V.C. channel, reservoir and drain and means to secure the device to the window frame.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 with a wedge-shaped channel automatically directing the condensate to a central reservoir.

3. A device as claimed in claims 1 and 2 with the wedge-shaped channel such as to form a central reservoir.

4. A device as claimed in claims 1, 2 and 3 with the channel formed by means of a pair of wedge-shaped inserts respectively sloping downwards from the lateral ends of the device towards the centre of the device so as to form a central reservoir.

5. A device as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, and 4 which automatically collects the condensate in a central reservoir.

6. A device as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 whose reservoir is serviced by a drainage hole which by means of a knurled outlet tube deposits the condensate outside.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 which is secured to the window frame with either double sided tape or the appropriate adhesive.

8. A device substantially as described herein with reference to the accomp,!apying drawings- figures 1, 1A and 2.