GB2549292A

GB2549292A - Glazing bar for a window or door

Info

Publication number: GB2549292A
Application number: GB1606168.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Montgomery Mervyn
Original assignee: HAMPTON CONSERVATORIES Ltd
Current assignee: HAMPTON CONSERVATORIES Ltd
Priority date: 2016-04-12
Filing date: 2016-04-12
Publication date: 2017-10-18

Abstract

A glazing bar for securing and separating adjacent panels of glass in a window or door, said glazing bar comprising a pair of first 20 and second 22 head portions arranged to be located on opposite sides of the window 11 separated by a central rib 24 extending between the first and second head portions and between the adjacent glazing panes. In use at least one of said first and second head portions incorporates an elongate slot 26 in a base for receiving a distal edge of the central rib to secure the at least one of the first and second head portions to the central rib. The central rib may also be received in respective slots in both the second and first head portions. Also disclosed within are a glazing frame comprising said glazing bar and a window or door assembly comprising said glazing frame.

Description

Glazing bar for a window or door

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a glazing bar for a window or door and in particular to a glazing bar for a double glazed window or door having multiple lights.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A glazing bar is a strip of wood that divides a window horizontally or vertically into smaller panes of glass (or lights). Glazing bars are also known as muntin bars in the US or sash bars. Until the middle of the 19th century, it was economically necessary to use smaller panes of glass, which were much more affordable to produce, and to fabricate the frame of the window from a grid of glazing bars that separated and held the multiple panes of glass. Even in modern times, many consider the division of a window or glazed door into smaller panes to be more architecturally attractive than use of single large panes. Georgian sash windows typically have 'six over six' panes or lights, meaning each sash has six individual panes of glass separated by glazing bars.

Where a building is listed, planning authorities usually require existing windows to be retained and repaired where possible. Where a window requires replacement, such replacement must appear essentially identical to the window being replaced. The replacement of an existing window with a modern double glazed window will usually be refused and double glazing can rarely be added to existing windows without major modification due to the need for wider glazing bars, the additional thickness of the sealed double glazing units and the additional weight of glass requiring larger weights.

There is more flexibility for introducing double glazing in unlisted buildings within a conservation area, as the emphasis of control is on protecting the external appearance of a building and the affect of alterations on the character of the area. However, here too the need to retain glazing bars presents almost insurmountable problems, as the 22mm width of a typical glazing bar is too narrow to hide the spacing bar of a sealed unit. One solution is to incorporate dummy timber glazing bars which follow the original profile and pattern exactly, but are applied onto the inner and outer faces of the glass and do not run through. However, such solutions are frequently unacceptable in listed buildings.

Old windows can be an enormous energy drain and frequently do not function in the manner they were intended. Modern manufactured windows, on the other hand, often are not historically correct in their detailing, as discussed above.

Windows with "true divided lights" need to make use of thin glazing bars, typically around 22mm wide in residential windows, positioned between individual panes of glass to achieve an original appearance. In old wooden windows an enlarged head is provided at an inner side of each glazing bar providing a seat against which the panes of glass are mounted and putty or thin strips of wood or metal are then used against an outer side of the glazing bar to hold the panes of glass in place. The enlarged heads of beads of the glazing bars located on either side of the window are typically milled to traditional profiles. However, the use of putty to retain the panes of glass in the window is time consuming and lacks security.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a glazing bar for securing and separating adjacent panes of glass in a window or door, said glazing bar comprising a pair of first and second head portions arranged to be located on opposite sides of the window separated by a central rib extending between the first and second head portions and between the adjacent glazing panes, in use, at least one of said first and second head portions incorporating an elongate slot in a base thereof for receiving a distal edge of the central rib to secure said at least one of the first and second head portions to the central rib.

In one embodiment the central rib is integrally formed with the first head portion. In an alternative embodiment each of the first and second head portions may incorporate a respective slot for recieving a respective distal edge of the central rib.

The central rib may be secured to the slot of said at least one of the first and second head portions by an adhesive.

Preferably said first and second head portions and said central rib are made of wood. The first and second head portions and said central rib are preferably milled from solid wood.

The base portions of the first and second head portions on opposite sides of the central rib and adjacent portions of the central rib preferably define rabbets for seating panes of glass therein.

In one embodiment the width of said elongate slot formed in the at least one of the first and second head portions of the glazing bar may be greater than the width of the central rib to allow clearance for said adhesive and to facilitate alignment of the first and second parts with one another.

In an alternative embodiment the distal end of said central rib adapted to be received within the slot in said at least one of the first and second head portions and/or the receiving slot may be provided with barbs or other retaining formations for retaining the rib with said slot.

One or both of the first and second head portions may have a milled profile adpated to match that of the glazing bars of the original windows to be replaced or may be milled to a profile to suit customer requirements.

Preferably the width of the first and second head portions is less than 25mm. More preferably the width of the first and second head portions is 22mm or less.

The depth of the central rib of the glazing bar may be at least 12mm, depedent upon the thickness of the glazing to be used.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a glazing frame assembly for a plurality of sealed double glazing panes each having a sealed peripheral portion comprising a pair of vertical stiles between top and bottom rails and separated and supported by an array of vertically and horizontally arranged glazing bars, each glazing bar comprising a pair of first and second head portions arranged to be located on opposite sides of the window separated by a central rib extending between the first and second head portions and between the adjacent glazing panes, in use, the central rib extending between adajcent glazing panes, in use, to be received within a slot formed in at least one of the first and second head portions to secure said at least one of the first and second head portions to the central rib.

In one embodiment the central rib of each glazing bar is integrally formed with the first head portion thereof. Alternatively each of the first and second head portions of each glazing bar may incorporate a respective slot for recieving a respective distal edge of the central rib thereof.

Preferably each glazing bar is formed from wood.

Each side of the central rib and adjacent regions of the first and second head portions of each glazing bar preferably define rabbets within which an edge of the respective glazing pane is securely retained, in use.

In one embodiment the width of the slot formed in the at least one of said first and second head portions of each glazing bar may be greater than the width of the central rib to provide clearance between the sides of the rib and the slot when the rib is inserted into the slot.

In an alternative embodiment the distal end of said central rib adapted to be received within the slot in said at least one of the first and second head portions of each glazing bar and/or the receiving slot is provided with barbs or other retaining formations for retaining the rib with said slot.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a window or door assembly comprising a comprising a frame assembly and a plurality of double glazed panes mounted therein, said frame assembly being defined by a pair of vertical stiles extending between top and bottom rails and separated and supported by an array of vertically and horizontally arranged glazing bars, each glazing bar comprising a pair of first and second head portions arranged to be located on opposite sides of the window separated by a central rib extending between the first and second head portions and between the adjacent glazing panes, the central rib being received within a slot formed in at least one of the first and second head portions of each glazing bar.

Preferably each glazing bar is formed from wood.

Preferably the sides of the central rib and adjacent regions of the first and second head portions of each glazing bar define rabbets within which an edge of a respective glazing pane is securely retained.

In one embodiment the width of the slot in said at least one of the first and second head portions of each glazing bar is greater than the width of the central rib to provide clearance between the sides of the rib and the slot when the rib is inserted into the slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Windows incorporating glazing bars in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 is a front/outside view of a double glazed sash window incorporating glazing bars in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a rear/inside view of the window of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the window of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view of one of the glazing bars of the window of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view of the glazing bar of Figure 4 used with a window having laminated glass.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As illustrated in the drawings, a window assembly 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a double hung sash window having a box frame 4 within which is mounted a pair of double glazed sashes comprising an upper sash 5 and a lower sash 6, said sashes 5,6 being mounted in overlapping relationship to be vertically slidable within the box frame 4.

Each sash 5,6 is supported by a pair of weights (not shown) mounted within weight pockets behind inner linings on either side of the box frame 4, said weights being mounted on the end of respective sash cords attached to each sash and extending over respective pulleys mounted in the sides of the box frame 4. Each sash 5,6 comprises a plurality of separate double glazed glazing units (lights) 8 mounted within a frame 9 comprising a pair of vertical stiles extending between top and bottom rails and separated and supported by an array of vertically and horizontally arranged glazing bars 10. In the embodiment shown, each sash 5,6 includes 6 separate glazing units 8.

As best shown in Figure 4, each glazing unit 8 comprises two parallel panes of glass 11,12 separated by a cavity 13. In the embodiment shown, each glass pane 11,12 is approximately 4mm thick and a cavity 13 of approximately 16mm is provided between the panes to give a total thickness of 24mm. However, other thickness may be used. Each glass pane 11,12 may be coated to reduce heat loss and the cavity 13 may be partially evacuated and/or filled with air or an inert gas for better thermal insulation performance. The panes 11,12 are separated by a spacer 14 around the periphery of the glazing unit and the cavity 13 is sealed by the use of a suitable sealant 15 around the spacer 14, as is conventional in the art.

Each glazing bar 10 comprises a pair of milled wooden first and second glazing beads 20,22 arranged to be located on opposite sides of the window separated by a central rib 24 extending between the glazing beads 20,22 and between the adjacent glazing units, in use. The central rib 24 is integrally formed with the first glazing bead 20 and extends between adajcent glazing units to be received within a slot 26 formed in the base of the second glazing bead 22. The second glazing bead 22 may be bonded to the central rib 24 by a suitable adhesive provided in the slot 26 once the glazing units have bee installed in the window frame. The central rib 24 and the bases of the first and second glazing beads 20,22 define a rebate within which an edge of the respective glazing unit 8 is securely retained.

The width of the slot 26 is greater than the width of the central rib 24 to provide clearance between the sides of the rib 24 and the slot 26 when the rib is inserted into the slot 26. This provides space for the adhesive and allows for any misalignment between the first and second glazing beads 20,22 to be adjusted. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) barbs or other retaining formations may be formed on the sides of the central rib 24 and/or the sides of the slot 26 for retaining the rib within the slot, in addition to or as an alternative to adhesive.

As best shown in Figure 4, the first glazing bead 20 may be milled to the dimensions and shape of a traditional glazing bead to match the existing or original windows in a property in which the new windows are to be installed or to any other profile to suit customer requirements. The first glazing bead 20 is typically arranged to be located on the inner side of the window, in use.

The second glazing bead 22 is preferably milled to match the shape and dimensions of the exterior portion of the original glazing bars once putty has been applied to retain the original glass panes within the window.

The width of the first and second glazing beads 20,22 of the glazing bars may typically be 22mm, which is a common width for the original glazing bars of traditional sash windows. If required, this width can be reduced or increased to match the glazing bars of the original windows. By using a single piece second glazing bead 22 in place of narrow strips of putty or wood the strength and security of the glazing bar 10 is improved.

The depth/length of the central rib 24 is adapted to be slightly greater than the width of the glazed units so that the rib 24 extends between and beyond the glazing unit to be received within the slot 26 of the second glazing bead 22 when the first and second glazing bead are located on either side of the window.

The glazing bar is preferably milled from a solid hard wood, such as sapele, although could be made from a soft wood or any other hard wood depending upon customer requirements.

While the central rib 24 is decribed as being integrally formed with the first glazing bead 20, it is envisaged that both of the first and second glazing beads 20,22 may be formed with a respective slot in the base thereof for receiving a respective distal edge of the central rib 24, such that the first and second glazing beads 20,22 and the central rib 24 are formed as separate components.

While an embodiment of the invention is described in relation to a double hung sash window, the invention is also applicable to single hung sash windows, a casement window or door having multiple panes or lights separated by glazing bars.

Figure 5 illustrates the use of the glazing bars 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention to separate and locate panes of laminated glass in a window or door. Other than the glass panes being laminated from multiple layers of glass 110,112,114 separated by layers of resin or plastic sheets 115,116, the construction of the glazing bars 10 is identical to that of the glazing bars shown in Figures 1 to 4.

The glazing bars in accordance with the present invention enable old buildings to be brought up to modern standard in terms of thermal efficiency, by allowing for the use of double glazed glazing units without detracting from the aethetic appeal of the building by maintaining the traditional apperance of the windows.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A glazing bar for securing and separating adjacent panes of glass in a window or door, said glazing bar comprising a pair of first and second head portions arranged to be located on opposite sides of the window separated by a central rib extending between the first and second head portions and between the adjacent glazing panes, in use, at least one of said first and second head portions incorporating an elongate slot in a base thereof for receiving a distal edge of the central rib to secure said at least one of the first and second head portions to the central rib.

2. A glazing bar as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central rib is integrally formed with the first head portion.

3. A glazing bar as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second head portions incorporates a respective slot for recieving a respective distal edge of the central rib.

4. A glazing bar as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the central rib is secured to the slot of said at least one of the first and second head portions by an adhesive.

5. A glazing bar as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said first and second head portions and said central rib are made of wood.

6. A glazing bar as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first and second head portions and said central rib are milled from solid wood.

7. A glazing bar as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein base portions of the first and second head portions on opposite sides of the central rib and adjacent portions of the central rib define rabbets for seating panes of glass therein.

8. A glazing bar as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the width of said elongate slot formed in the at least one of the first and second head portions of the glazing bar is greater than the width of the central rib to allow clearance for said adhesive and to facilitate alignment of the first and second parts with one another.

9. A glazing bar as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the distal end of said central rib adapted to be received within the slot in said at least one of the first and second head portions and/or the receiving slot is provided with barbs or other retaining formations for retaining the rib with said slot.

10. A glazing bar as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or both of the first and second head portions has a milled profile adpated to match that of the glazing bars of the original windows to be replaced.

11. A glazing bar as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the width of the first and second head portions is less than 25mm.

12. A glazing bar as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the width of the first and second head portions is 22mm or less.

13. A glazing bar as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the depth of the central rib of the glazing bar is at least 12mm.

14. A glazing frame assembly for a plurality of sealed double glazing panes each having a sealed peripheral portion comprising a pair of vertical stiles between top and bottom rails and separated and supported by an array of vertically and horizontally arranged glazing bars, each glazing bar comprising a pair of first and second head portions arranged to be located on opposite sides of the window separated by a central rib extending between the first and second head portions and between the adjacent glazing panes, in use, the central rib extending between adajcent glazing panes, in use, to be received within a slot formed in at least one of the first and second head portions to secure said at least one of the first and second head portions to the central rib.

15. A glazing frame assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the central rib of each glazing bar is integrally formed with the first head portion thereof.

16. A glazing fame assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of the first and second head portions of each glazing bar incorporates a respective slot for recieving a respective distal edge of the central rib thereof.

17. A glazing frame assembly as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, wherein each glazing bar is formed from wood.

18. A glazing frame assembly as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17, wherein each side of the central rib and adjacent regions of the first and second head portions of each glazing bar define rabbets within which an edge of the respective glazing pane is securely retained, in use.

19. A glazing frame assembly as claimed in any of claim 14 to 18, wherein the width of the slot formed in the at least one of said first and second head portions of each glazing bar is greater than the width of the central rib to provide clearance between the sides of the rib and the slot when the rib is inserted into the slot.

20. A glazing frame assembly as claimed in any of claims 14 to 18, wherein the distal end of said central rib adapted to be received within the slot in said at least one of the first and second head portions of each glazing bar and/or the receiving slot is provided with barbs or other retaining formations for retaining the rib with said slot.

21. A window or door assembly comprising a comprising a frame assembly and a plurality of double glazed panes mounted therein, said frame assembly being defined by a pair of vertical stiles extending between top and bottom rails and separated and supported by an array of vertically and horizontally arranged glazing bars, each glazing bar comprising a pair of first and second head portions arranged to be located on opposite sides of the window separated by a central rib extending between the first and second head portions and between the adjacent glazing panes, the central rib being received within a slot formed in at least one of the first and second head portions of each glazing bar.

22. An assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein each glazing bar is formed from wood.

23. An assembly as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the sides of the central rib and adjacent regions of the first and second head portions of each glazing bar define rabbets within which an edge of a respective glazing pane is securely retained.

24. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the width of the slot in said at least one of the first and second head portions of each glazing bar is greater than the width of the central rib to provide clearance between the sides of the rib and the slot when the rib is inserted into the slot.

25. A glazing bar substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. A glazing frame assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

27. A window or door assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.