GB2148368A

GB2148368A - Window or door frame

Info

Publication number: GB2148368A
Application number: GB08424294A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Hardy
Original assignee: LB
Current assignee: LB
Priority date: 1983-09-30
Filing date: 1984-09-26
Publication date: 1985-05-30
Also published as: GB2148368B; GB8424294D0; GB8326216D0

Abstract

Main frame components 8 comprise a plastics hollow box section forming the inner peripheral region of the assembled frame and rigidifying the component, and outwardly directed projections which can be cut away to adapt the frame to a window or door opening without destroying the integrity of the hollow box section. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Window and door frames This invention relates to window and doorframes and to components for constructing such frames.

The fitting of replacement windows and doors to buildings or the like gives rise to various problems due to the need to fit the window and door frames into existing window and door openings. As a result of irregularities in the brick-work or the like sur rounding the opening, the frames require to be adapted to the openings in which they are to be fitted, this usually involving removal of parts of the frame on site which can be a troublesome and time consuming operation.

The practice has evolved of constructing windows and doors from an inner frame which houses the window or door proper, and an outer sub-frame into which the inner frame fits. The sub-frame is usually of hardwood construction and can be cut, planed or otherwise modified to accommodate irregularities in the shape of the opening into which the window or door is to be received. Once the outer frame has been adapted to suit the opening and fitted in place the inner frame housing the window or door can be simply and easily located within the outer frame, the inner dimensions of which will not have been altered. The outer sub-frames however suffer from various draw-backs and in particular are subject to warping, cracking and other troublesome defects, in addition to being heavy and expensive.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least some of these disadvantages.

According to the invention there is provided a structural component for use in the construction of a window or door frame, the component comprising a hollow box section adapted to form the inner peripheral region of the assembled frame and serving to rigidify the component and outwardly directed projections on said box section adapted to define the outer peripheral region of the assembled frame, whereby portions of said projections may be cut away to adapt the frame to a window or door opening without destroying the integrity of said hollow box section.

Preferably said box section is of generally rectan gular section and is provided with two projecting rib portions flush with respective opposite end faces of 'the section. Advantageously a third projecting rib portion is provided intermediate the two end rib portions.

At least one of said rib portions may advan tageously be provided with locating means enabling the attachment thereto of window or door fitments.

Preferably the component is provided with means facilitating its interconnection to a further such component at right-angles to enable the formation of at least three sides of a window or door frame. In general the fourth side of the frame will be defined by a separate sill member of different construction.

The means enabling interconnection of the compo nents may comprise longitudinally extending cylin drical bores into which screws may be inserted through the adjacent components. The ends of the components may be overlapped or mitred prior to interconnection and secured together by screws inserted through the overlapped or mitred portions.

The portion of the component which is of hollow box section may be provided with locating means enabling the fitting of attachments thereto. Such attachments may comprise cover or trim strips adapted in use to conceal fittings used to secure an inner window or door frame within an outer or sub-frame constructed from components according to the invention.

Thus the invention also provides a window or door frame at least partially constructed from intercon nected structural components according to the pre ceding paragraphs.

Embodiments of the invention will now be de scribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical cross-section through a window assembly having an outer or sub-frame constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 and 2A are vertical and horizontal crosssections through one form of door having an outer frame constructed according to the invention; Figures 3 and 3A are vertical and horizontal cross-sections through an alternative form of door; and Figures 4 and 4A are vertical and horizontal cross-sections through a patio door assembly having an outer frame constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a window comprising an inner glazed frame structure 5 formed from aluminium frame components housing double glazing units 6 and cloaked at the inside of the frame by plastic clip-on cover members 7 serving to improve the internal appearance and reduce condensation. This inner glazed frame assembly is mounted in an outer sub-frame the top and sides of which are constructed from inter-connected structural members or components 8 mounted on a bottom sill component 9. The sub-frame is anchored in position in an opening in the wall of the building or the like in which the window is fitted.

The top and side components 8 of the sub-frame comprise extruded plastics frame members, only the top one of which is visible in Figure 1. Each frame member comprises a portion 10 of hollow box section forming the inner peripheral region of the frame and reinforced by internal ribs 11 provided with circular hollow bosses 12 adapted to receive screws by means of which the components are secured together. A plurality of ribs 13 are provided on the outer surface of the box section 10, two of the ribs forming extensions of the inner and outer end faces of the box section and the third being disposed intermediate the two end ribs. These projecting ribs define the outer peripheral region of the frame members and may be cut-away as desired to adapt the frame to an opening in a wall without cutting into the box section 10.In this way the frame members can be readily modified on site to accommodate irregularities in the opening in which the window is to be mounted without destroying the integrity of the box-like portion of the frame and hence the rigidity of the components and of the frame itself.

Inwardly directed projections 1 3A are formed at the outer edges of the ribs 13 and form retaining members or clips co-operable with complementary portions of fitments such as the drip deflector 14 shown in Figure 1 which can thus be readily engaged with appropriate ones of the frame components as required.

In assembling the outer sub-frame the component 8 forming the top frame member is butted up against the upper ends of the components defining the side frame members and the components are then secured together by screws inserted through the overlapping end portions of one top component and engaging in the bores 12 in the side components. At their lower ends the side frame members 8 rest on the upper surface of the sill member 9 and are secured thereto by screws (not shown) inserted upwardly through the sill member into engagement with the bores 12 in the side frame members.

In order to secure the inner glazed frame Sin position in the outer sub-frame, metal clips 15 are engaged with the aluminium frame components at spaced locations and have projecting arms 16 which are secured by screws 17 to the frame components 8. After the frames have been secured together the screws 17 remain visible and in order to conceal the screws and the projecting arms 16 of the clips 15, trim strips 18 of extruded plastic construction are provided. These have locating arms 19 provided with barbed projections 20 engageable in longitudinal recesses 21 formed in the hollow box portions 10 of the frame components 8.The recesses 21 are provided with inwardly directed ribs or barbs engageable with the projections 20 to retain the trim strips in position. Aflexible sealing strip 22 is provided at the inner region of the trim strip 18 and engages against the surface of one of the plastic cover members 7 to provide a draught and weather seal. A longitudinal recess 23 similar to the recess 21 is provided adjacent the upper edge of the inner face of the sill component 9 and is engaged by a similar trim strip 18 which thus extends around the entire frame structure concealing the visible portions of the clips 15 and their attaching screws and providing a neat appearance to the inner face of the assembled frame.

Figures 2 and 2A show an inward opening door assembly comprising an inner door frame 25 to which a door 26 is hingedly attached by pivots 27 (Figure 2A), the inner frame being mounted in an outer sub-frame of identical construction to that described with reference to Figure 1. In this case the inner door frame is secured to the sub-frame by screwing through the latter into the inner frame. The fixings are not therefore visible and there is therefore no requirement for trim strips similar to the strips 18 of Figure 1. In this case plastic clip-on cover members 28 similar to the cover members 7 of Figure 1 are engaged with the inner frame and with the door itself, those cover members which engage the inner frame being provided with projecting flanges 28A which extend across the recesses 21 in the frame members 8 to conceal the recesses from view.The recess 23 in the sill member 9 is concealed by a projection 25A on a component of the frame 25.

Figures 3 and 3A show an alternative form of door constuction which opens outwardly rather than inwardly. The inner frame and door are of similar construction to those shown in Figure 2 and are mounted to an outer sub-frame the top and sides of which are constructed from components 8 identical to those described with reference to Figures 1,2 and 2A. In this case however the components 8 are reversed so that the recesses 21 are directed outwardly and are covered by a projecting portion 25A of the aluminium inner frame 25. In other respects the outer sub-frame is constructed in the same manner as the frames of Figures 1, 2 and 2A but is mounted on a hardwood sill 29.

Figures 4 and 4A show an embodiment of the invention applied to a patio door. In this instance the construction is of much greater width from front to back than in the case of single windows or doors since the patio door consists either of two door panels slidable relative to one another in adjacent parallel tracks or of a single panel slidable relative to an adjacent fixed panel. As in the case of the previous embodiments the door assembly comprises an inner frame constructed of aluminium frame components indicated generally at 35 and at least one slidable door panel indicated at 36.This assembly is mounted in an outer or sub-frame the top and sides of which are constructed from identical extruded plastic frame components 38 which are similar to but approximately twice the width of the frame components 8 described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and which are mounted on a hardwood sill 39. As in the case of the previous embodiments, portions of the outer regions of the frame members 38 may be trimmed or removed to adapt the frame to irregularities in the opening in which the door is to be fitted without cutting into the hollow box portions of the frame so that the rigidity of the frame is retained. After fitting of the sub-frame in position the inner frame and door assembly may be simply and easily located within the sub-frame and secured by screwing through the latter.There is no requirement for trim strips of the kind shown at 18 in Figure 1 and the frame components 38 are not therefore provided with recesses similar to the recess 21.

By virtue of the arrangements described, windows and doors may be readily adapted to accommodate irregularities in the openings in which they are tope housed by modification of the external portions of the outer sub-frame without breaking into the hollow box section of the frame so that the strength and rigidity of the frame is retained. The outwardly projecting rib portions also enable ready attachment of drip deflectors or similar fittings where required.

The construction of the frame components is such that identical components can be utilised to form both the top and sides of the frames and may be employed for both window and door frames. This greatly reduces the number of frame components compared with conventional window and door constructions and as the frame components are of generallysymetrical construction save for the provi sion ofthe locating grooves forthe window trim strips, they may be used in association with a number of different window and door constructions.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the frame components may be secured together by welding or other means instead of screwing and need not be provided with integral formations for the attachement of drip deflectors of the like. The size, shape and position of the projecting ribs may also be varied dependent on requirements and the crosssectional shapes of the frame members and the shape and construction of the sills may be varied to suit different requirements.

Claims

1. A structural component for use in the construction of a window or door frame, the component comprising a hollow box section adapted to form the inner peripheral region of the assembled frame and serving to rigidifythe component and outwardly directed projections on said box section adapted to define the outer peripheral region of the assembled frame, whereby portions of said projections may be cut away to adapt the frame to a window or door opening without destroying the integrity of said hollow box section.

2. A structural component according to Claim 1 wherein said box section is of generally rectangular section and is provided with two projecting rib portions flush with respective opposite end faces of the section.

3. A structural component according to Claim 2 including a third projecting rib portion intermediate said two end rib portions.

4. A structural component according to Claim 2 or 3 wherein at least one of said rib portions is provided with locating means enabling the attachment thereto of window or door fitments.

5. A structural component according to any preceding claim provided with means facilitating its interconnection to a further such component at right angles to enable the formation of at least three sides of a window or door frame.

6. A structural component according to Claim 5 wherein said means enabling interconnection comprises longitudinally extending cylindrical bores into which screws may be inserted through the adjacent components.

7. A structural component according to any preceding claim wherein said portion of the component which is of hollow box section is provided with locating means enabling the fitting of attachments thereto.

8. A structural component according to Claim 7 wherein said locating means comprises a slot extending longitudinally of the component and provided with retaining means operable to prevent withdrawal of attachments engaged therein.

9. A structural component substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 2A, 3 and 3A of the accompanying drawings.

10. A structural component substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 and 4A of the accompanying drawings.

11. A window or door frame at least the top and sides of which are constructed from interconnected structural components according to any preceding claim.

12. A window or door comprising an outer frame according to Claim 11 and an inner glazed frame mounted therein.

13. A window substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A door substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 2A, or Figures 3 and 3A or Figures 4 and 4A of the accompanying drawings.

15. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.