GB2346166A

GB2346166A - A seal for a window and a vent for a window

Info

Publication number: GB2346166A
Application number: GB9828703A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Young
Original assignee: HILL LEIGH
Current assignee: HILL LEIGH
Priority date: 1998-12-24
Filing date: 1998-12-24
Publication date: 2000-08-02
Also published as: GB9828703D0

Abstract

A seal for a sash window comprising first and second attachment portions 42, 46 for attachment or abutment to a frame and a linking element having at least one "U" or "V" shaped portion such that at least one apex 54, 56 abuts the casement 20, 22 of the window to exclude drafts. The seal may have enlarged elements 44 & 48 on its attachment portions which can engage with a respective channel on the window frame and may be held in a bowed state to urge the seal into engagement with a casement or sash of the window. The seal can have a plurality of turning points in order to seal with two sash windows. A vent within a window frame comprising a duct formed within the frame having a first opening facing outwardly and a second opening facing inwardly.

Description

SEAL FOR A WINDOW. VENT FOR A WINDOW. AND A TILT AND SLIDE WINDOW INCLUDIN THèSE FEATURES The present invention relates to a seal for a window, a vent for a window and to a tilt and slide window including these features.

It is known to provide sash windows which slide vertically in order to provide ventilation, but which are also tiltable in order to facilitant cleaning. Such windows are examples of tilt and slide windows. Known seals typically comprise an elongate brush which extends between the window frame and the sash in order to exclude draughts. It is also known to provide a seal between upper and lower windows in a sash window which comprises a generally"V"shaped element wherein the arms of the V abut the frames of the sash Windows. The requirement to seal against draughts whilst also accommodating movement of the tilt and slide sash window, which movement occurs in two orthogonal directions, has resulted in such seals failing prematurely.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a seal for a window, the seal comprising a first attachment portion for attachment to a frame of the window, a second portion for abutment or attachment toi the frame of the window, and a linking element having at least one generally"U"or"V"shaped portion such that the at least one apex of the intermediate element abuts the casement of the window in order to exclude draughts.

It is thus possible to provide a seal which is particularly suited for use in tilt and slide sash windows.

Preferably the second portion also attaches to th window frame. Advantageously each of the first and second portions is provided with an, enlarged element which engages within a respective channel formed in the window frame ; Thus the opposing sides of the seal are held against movement. This helps the seal withstand the shearing forces that it experiences when the sash is tilted. The attachment to the frame in this manner also ensures that the seal is held in a generally compressed or bowed state. This helps to urge the seal into engagement with the casement or sash in order to ensure a good seal is made, even when the sealing element ages and may loose some of its resilience.

The apex of the"V"or"U"shape is to be considered as the linking region which is provided between the two arms of the"V"or"U". The apex may also be regarded as a turning region or a turning point since the material forming the seal changes direction.

Advantageously the sealing element is provided with a plurality of turning points in order that it can seal to two sash windows simultaneously. In order to achieve this, the seal may have a generally"M"shaped cross-section.

In an alternative arrangement suitable for sealing to a single sash or casement, the first portion of the seal may be attached to the window frame and the second portion may lie against the surface of the frame.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vent for provision within a window frame, the vent comprising a duct formed within the frame, and having a first opening facing outwardly and a second opening facing inwardly.

It is thus possible to provide venting via the window frame whilst leaving the window in a closed state. The closed state corresponds to the most secure state of the window. In particular, the window does not need to be left in a"night lock"position where although the window is locked such that it cannot be opened, it is vulnerable to being forced open.

Preferably the vent is provided within a sash window. The vent may be provided in the top section of the frame and the outwardly facing opening may also face downwards, thereby inhibiting the ingress of moisture into the duct. Advantageously at least one of the first and second openings may also be provided with a cover. The cover may have a plurality of apertures, for example slots, formed therein in order to reduce the rate at which air can pass along the duct, thereby preventing uncomfortable draughts from occurring whilst simultaneously allowing ventilation to occur through a closed window. An internal blanking element may also be provided. The blanking element or one of the covers may be slidable such that apertures in one of the covers may be opened or occluded in order to control the amount of ventilation provided via the vent in the window frame.

Preferably the outwardly facing opening is hidden from view by a depending lip. This serves to hide the opening from the casual observer, thereby allowing the window to look as if it is of traditional design and construction. This allows the windows to be used on traditional look buildings and those subjected tq conservation restrictions.

It will be appreciated that such a venting arrangement may be provided in any window frame.

The present invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section, looking vertically downward, through a incorporating a seal constituting an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 1 a shows the seal in more detail; Figure 2 is a vertical section through the winder illustrated in figure 1, and showing seals disposed at the foot of the sash window and between the upper and lower sashes; and Figure 3 is a section through the top of the window, illustrating the integrated vent formed in the window frame; and Figure 4 illustrates the vent cover in greater detal.

Figure 1 is a cross section through the frame of a window. The window frame, generally indicated as 2, comprises an inner lining 4, and an outer lining 6 separated from one another by a jamb 8. An extruded element 10 s located in a region defined by the inner and outer linings and the jamb. The element 10 defines two open mouthed, generally u-shaped channels 12 and 14 which face opposing u-shaped recesses 16 and 18 formed in sashes 20 and 22, respectively. Linking elements may extend between the u-shaped regions 12 and 16 in order to hold the sash 20 aligned with respect to the window frame.

Similar elements may also be provided with respect to the sash 22. Furthermore, sash cords and counterweights may also extend within the u-shaped groove 12.

In order to prevent draughts, a seal 40 is provided. The seal 40 has a first engagement portion comprising an arm 42 terminating in an enlarged head portion 44 which is received within a groove formed in the extrusion 10. The groove is disposed at the periphery of u-shaped recess 12. Similarly a second attachment portion comprises an arm 46 terminating in an enlarged head 48 which is held within a second groove disposed at the inner periphery of the second u-shaped recess 14. These two points of attachment define the width of the seal 40. A generally m-shaped linking element 52 extends between the attachment points. The element 52 has a first apex 54 which abuts the first sash 20, and a second apex 56 which abuts the second sash 22. The natural resilience of the material of the seal together with the angles moulded into the seal between the arm 42 and linear section 60, and the corresponding arm 46 and linear section 62 ensures that the apexes 54 and 56 remain in abutment with their associated sashes. The generally v-shaped linking region 70 which extends between the apexes 54 and 56 ensures that the seal maintains its correct shape even when one of the sashes is tilted out of the plane of the window frame (the sash is provided with a tilt and slide hinge whose design is known and consequently need not be described further). The tilting of the sash window would tend to displace the apex of the seal away from its normal position, and such repeated movement would tend to degrade the sealing properties, if it were not for the fact that the design of the seal makes the seal resistant to the shearing action which it would otherwise experience during the tilting operation.

Figure 2 shows a cross section, looking vertically, through the window illustrated in Figure 1. The upper portion of Figure 2 illustrates the seal 80 which extends between the upper sash 20 and the lower sash 22. The seal 80 comprises an attachment portion 82 which is received within a groove 84 along the base of the sash 20. The seal 80 is moulded such that an arm 86 extends obliquely towards the second sash 22. The arm 86 joins to a second arm 88 at an apex 90. The apex 90 abuts the sash 22 in order to form a seal therewith. The resilience of the material ensures that the second arm 88 rests against the sash 20 and consequently exerts a force tending to push the apex 90 against the sash 22.

As shown in the lower half of Figure 2, a bottom seal extends above the seal 100. The bottom seal comprises a generally y-shaped sealing element 102 which has a depending arm 104 held in a groove at the innermost side of the seal 100.

Figure 3 shows a section through the uppermost portion of the window. A duct 100 is formed in the upper frame head 102. The duct may be formed by removing portions of the upper frame head 102 with a router. A first opening 104 faces outwardly and downwardly, whereas a second opening 106 is provided on the inner side of the window frame. A portion 108 of the upper frame head 102 extends above the line of the uppermost sash 22 in order to delimit the upwardly most position of he sash 22 and also to provide a support for a seal (not shown). The window frame is provided with inner and outer linings 110 and 112 respectively which, amongst other things, serve to conceal the duct 100 and give the window a traditional look. The openings of the duct are provided with covers 120 (also known as vent hoods) which serve to inhibit the ingress of foreign material into the duct, which make it more appealing, and which also control the rate of airflow through the duct.

The covers 120 are formed of planar sheet elements which have a plurality of slots 122 formed therein. A slideable blanking element, which also has slots formed therein matching those of the covers may be provided in order to selectively open and close the slot 122 in order to control the venting through the window. The blanking element is adjacent the inner cover 120 such that the vent can be adjusted by the occupants of the building.

It is thus possible to provide a tilt and slide window which has an effective seal for excluding draughts and which also has a vent formed therein for providing ventilation even when the window is shut. Thus there is no need to provide the window with a"night latch"and the integrity and security of the window is maintained even when ventilation is provided.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A seal for a window, the seal comprising a first attachment portion for attachment to a frame of a window, a second attachment portion for attachment or abutment with the frame of the window, and a linking element having at least one generally "U"or"V"shaped portion such that an at least one apex of the intermediate element abuts the casement of the window in order to exclude draughts.
2. A seal for a window as claimed in claim 1, in which the second attachment portion is attached to the window frame.
3. A seal for a window as claimed in claim 2, in which each of the first and second portions is provided with an enlarged element which, in use, engages with a respective channel formed in the window frame.
4. A window including a seal as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
5. A window as claimed in claim 4, in which the seal is held in a compressed or bowed state in order to urge the seal into engagement with a casement or sash of the window.
6. A window as claimed in claim 4 or 5, in which the seal has a plurality of turning points in order that it can seal with two sash windows.
7. A window having a vent, the vent comprising a duct formed within a window frame and having a first opening facing outwardly and a second opening facing inwardly.
8. A window as claimed in claim 7, in which outwardly facing opening faces downwardly.
9. A window as claimed in claim 7 or 8, in which at least one of the first and second openings is provided with a cover.
10. A window as claimed in claim 9, in which the or each cover has a plurality of apertures formed therein in order to reduce the rate at which air can pass along the duct.
11. A window as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, in which an internal blanking element is provided, which is movable between open and occluded positions.
12. A window as claimed in any one of claims 9 or 10, in which one of the at least one covers is movable between open and occluded positions.
13. A window as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, in which the outwardly facing opening is disposed behind a depending lip.
14. A window as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a seal as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3.
15. A window as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
16. A window as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
17. A window as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.