GB2258880A

GB2258880A - Window and door assemblies

Info

Publication number: GB2258880A
Application number: GB9117992A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derrick John Hatton
Original assignee: John Carr
Current assignee: John Carr
Priority date: 1991-08-20
Filing date: 1991-08-20
Publication date: 1993-02-24
Also published as: GB9117992D0

Abstract

A window or door assembly comprising a first frame 1 of generally rigid construction, having surfaces over which part of a coupling member 10 can slide which surfaces define a window or door opening, and a second frame 2 capable of receiving or fitted with a window pane or door panel, said second frame including surfaces locatable opposite said surfaces of the primary frame, and one or more separately formed coupling members 10 attachable to said second frame adjacent its said surface(s), the or each coupling member including a resiliently flexible part 12 to permit push fitting of the second frame into said opening wherafter separation therefrom is resisted. Such an assembly permits rapid fitting by unskilled labour of a prefabricated window or door unit, preferably a timber framed such unit to a rigid metal frame built into the building structure during the course of its completion. <IMAGE>

Description

WINDOW AND DOOR ASSEMBLIES This invention is concerned with window or door assemblies and in particular with such assemblies for use in the formation of window and door fittings in buildings such as houses, bungalows, flats, offices and the like.

There exists in the building industry a demand for window and door fittings which can be quickly and easily completed without requiring skilled labour in application of the final frames containing window panes or door panels. It has been preferred to use a first rigid frame member which is resistant to potential damage.

In modern housing, many window and door components are of plastics construction such as of white rigid PVC and these have economic benefits in terms of cost of material and minimal subsequent maintenance. However, there is also a demand for a more traditional style of wooden window frame at certain levels in the housing market and these have been subject to damage as the windows have been built into the structure as the work proceeds, rather than after completion of the brickwork.

To this end it is desirable to use a first relatively indestructible, non-decorative frame defining an opening, such as a substantially rigid steel section which can be tied into the brickwork as the building work proceeds, and a secondary frame comprising the finished components which can be installed later.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved window or door assembly which is capable of relatively quick insertion and completion and which permits the use of timber or even other materials as the window or door frame in conjunction with a substantially rigid first supporting frame.

According to this invention there is provided a window or door assembly comprising a first frame of generally rigid construction, having surfaces over which part of a coupling member can slide which surfaces define a window or door opening, and a second frame capable of receiving or fitted with a window pane or door panel, said second frame including surfaces locatable opposite said surfaces of the primary frame, and one or more separately formed coupling members attachable to said second frame adjacent its said surface(s), the or each coupling member including a resiliently flexible part to permit push fitting of the second frame into said opening whereafter separation therefrom is resisted.

Preferably the first frame is of metal construction such as of steel and may be in the form of a generally hollow section with opposed sidewalls and a surface for receiving a second frame. That surface is preferably sloping or inclined such that the opening at one side of the frame is greater in size than the corresponding opening at the other side of the frame.

The second frame could be of steel, or plastics or wooden construction, or even a composite of two or more such materials although it is preferred to be substantially of wood. An abutment surface may be present in the second frame to abut one sidewall of the first frame when the assembly is fully installed i.e. 'push fitted' into place.

Push fitting may be accomplished by a snap action mechanism, such as by a resiliently deformable lip, such as at the leading edge on the or each coupling member. The lip can undergo flexing during insertion of the second frame into the first frame and releasing towards its original shape, to engage, whilst still under tension, a recessed part of the first frame, and thereby prevent unwanted withdrawal of the second frame from the first frame.

Relatively short elongate strips of extruded plastics may serve as the or each coupling member, either provided with a projecting rib which engages a co-operating recess located in the second frame surface which passes over the first frame during installation, or otherwise affixed to the second frame as by screws or similar retaining means.

The connection of the or each coupling member to the second frame is preferably such as to ensure it moves with that frame during its insertion, i.e. it does not become displaced (other than its flexible part) relative to said second frame.

In order that the invention and further preferred features thereof may be illustrated and readily carried into effect, an embodiment of the invention is now described by way of non-limiting example only and in which: Figure 1 is an 'exploded' sectional view of one side of a window assembly, in a direction parallel to adjacent brickwork, and Figure 2 is a sectional view of the same one side shown in Figure 1, but fully assembled.

Referring to the drawings, a first steel frame 1, of which only one side is illustrated, is rigid and hollow, its interior referenced 3, and is tied (not shown) into the adjacent brickwork 4 by means of ties although other methods of attachment are possible. The first frame has an upper, inclined surface 5 which is continuous and generally planar.

When the steel frame has been tied into position a window opening is defined by the surfaces 5, the opening at the side of the frame which is outside the building structure being greater in size then the corresponding opening at the inside of the building. A recessed part 15 has an engagement surface for abutting the resiliently flexible lip 12 of a coupling member 10, which is a plastics extruded component also featuring a projecting rib 11 to enable linking or coupling of that member 10 to a second frame 2.

In the illustrated window assembly embodiment, second frame 2 is formed of timber but it will be appreciated other materials could be used. The frame has a slot 8 for receiving a weathership gasket for sealing glazing applied to that frame weatherstrip. The second frame includes an abutment surface 9 to form a stop means against one sidewall of the first frame, whereby a limit to the maximum insertion of second frame onto the first frame is defined. An optional timber or plastic cover mould 14 can be located against the other sidewall of the first frame 1 when the assembly is completed to shield the metal frame from view and to blend in with applied plaster or other finish to the interior of the assembly.

During construction of the building, the first frame is conveniently built in using suitable means.

Installation of the second frame 2 can be completed after construction, when the workmen have finished. coupling member 10 is inserted into the recess 13 in the surface 6 of the second frame which is caused to pass over the cooperating surface 5 of the first frame, so that the coupling members are retained by the second frame during insertion.

Push fitting in snap fitting action is provided by the resiliently flexible lip 12 on the or each coupling member engaging the surface 5 and being compressed until the lip is partially released from tension applied to flex it during the insertion so that it locates within the recessed part 15 of the first frame. In such condition the end of the lip abuts a surface in the recess 15 to resist separation of second frame from first frame, whilst maintaining a relatively tight fit between the frames by virtue of some remaining tension in the lip after full insertion of the second frame.

Finishing of the second frame, including its glazing or fitting with panels can be undertaken in the factory to carefully monitored standards of quality, and the push fitting into ready made window or door apertures can be undertaken quickly and easily by unskilled labour, minimizing the risk of damage which is associated with conventional wooden window frames applied during construction, rather than afterwards. Accordingly modern houses, bungalows, flats, offices and the like can present attractive wooden window frames which have themselves been factory finished to any required decorative standard.

It will be appreciated that the components and method of installation will be similar for a door assembly.

Claims

1. A window or door assembly comprising a first frame of generally rigid construction, having surfaces over which part of a coupling member can slide which surfaces define a window or door opening, and a second frame capable of receiving or fitted with a window pane or door panel, said second frame including surfaces locatable opposite said surfaces of the primary frame, and one or more separately formed coupling members attachable to said second frame adjacent its said surface(s), the or each coupling member including a resiliently flexible part to permit push fitting of the second frame into said opening whereafter separation therefrom is resisted.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the first frame is of metal construction, being a generally hollow section with angled surfaces forming a recess wherein the resiliently flexible part of the coupling member(s) can be released to its normal shape.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the first frame has a surface adapted to receive said second frame and which is inclined such that the openings defined by the first frame are of different size.

4. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second frame is substantially of timber construction.

5. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the second frame has at least one abutment surface capable of abutting a sidewall of the first frame, when the frames are push fitted together.

6. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the push fitting action is conferred by a snap action mechanism between the two frames.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 6 in which the or each coupling member has a resiliently flexible lip at its leading edge which confers a snap action after release of said lip from a resiliently deformed condition.

8. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the or each coupling member comprises an elongate strip of extruded plastics.

9. An assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the or each strip has a projecting rib adapted to engage a cooperating recess in the second frame to prevent displacement of the coupling member relative to said second frame.

10. A window or door assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, substantially as herein described.

11. A window assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, subatially as herein illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.