GB2069035A - Window frame - Google Patents

Abstract

A window frame (12) is fixed in an opening in a partition or wall (10) e.g. of a vehicle or boat by means of separate fasteners spaced at intervals around the frame each comprising a saddle (34) slidably in slots in a block (28). A screw (42) enables the saddle (34) to be urged towards the wall (10) into pressure contact therewith. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Window frame This invention relates to frames for windows, and is particularly concerned with the fixing of window frames into openings in the sides of boats and vehicles as well as in other partitions of sheet material.

One method of fitting a window frame into an opening is described in our UK patent specification 1361285. In that specification there is described a window having a frame fixed into an opening in a partition of sheet material, the frame being shaped to present a right-angled section to the edge of the opening received therein, being of a depth greater than that of the opening, with a channel formed at the free inner edge of the section receiving and retaining an annular strip, and the frame being firmly retained by a resilient insert pressed into the space between the surrounding partition and the annular strip.

in this known arrangement, the annular strip may consist of an aluminium ring which runs around the frame, and the resilient insert which is pressed between the partition and the annular strip may comprise resilient wedge strips, a rubber cord, or spring clips.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a window frame fitting which does not require an annular strip around the inner edge of the frame and which also avoids the need to provide a resilient insert pressed into the space between the partition and the annular strip.

Broadly in accordance with the present invention there is provided a window having a frame fixed into an opening in a partition or wall, wherein the fixing of the frame is effected by a plurality of discrete fasteners spaced at intervals around the periphery of the frame, each fastener comprising a first element fixed relative to the frame, a second element inter-engaged with and movable relative to the first element, and tightening means carried by the first element and urging the second element into pressure contact with the partition or wall adjacent to the opening.

Preferably, the second element is formed as a saddle which slides in slots formed in the first element whereby the second element is held captive by the first element.

The tightening means may comprise a screw extending through the first element into engagement with the second element. The screw may be threaded into a bush carried by the first element. The first and second elements may be formed of synthetic plastics material formed by injection moulding.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame is of a depth greater than the thickness of the partition or wall in which it is fixed, and the frame includes a channel extending around the periphery of the opening and in which said first elements of the individual fasteners are fixedly positioned.

In order that the invention may be fully understood one presently preferred embodiment of window frame fitting in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a horizontal cross-section through one limb of the frame fixed in an opening in a partition or wall; Fig. 2 is a view taken along the line Il-Il of Fig.

1 ; and, Fig. 3 is a view taken along the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 1.

In the drawings the partition or wall into which the frame is fitted is indicated at 10. The frame, which may be an aluminium extrusion for example, is indicated generally at 12, and is in practice inserted into the opening in the partition or wall from the outside, i.e. from right to left as shown in Fig. 1. The limb of the frame 12 which is shown in Fig. 1 is deeper than the thickness of the partition or wall 10, and a U-section channel 14 is formed around the periphery of the free inner edge of the frame. The frame 12 also includes a main web 16 which, towards its outer end, carries a pressure flange 18 extending at right-angles to the main web 16 and arranged to extend parallel to the adjacent face of the partition or wall 10.The frame also includes an outer flange 20 and a dividing flange 22 which, in conjunction with the inner flange 24 which forms parts of the U-section channel 14, are designed to accept panes of glass or double glazing.

The securement of the frame 12 within the opening in the partition or wall 10 is effected by a plurality of discrete fasteners spaced at intervals around the periphery of the U-section channel 14 which runs around the frame. These fasteners, indicated generally at 26, may have a length dimension along the channel 14 of 1 inch for example, and would then be spaced at a centreto-centre spacing of approximately 4 inches.

Each fastener 26 comprises a block 28 which has a projecting leg 30 which is a tight fit in the U-section channel 14 of the frame. The block 28 is preferably of a plastics material, such as nylon, and may be made by injection moulding. The block 28 is recessed at each side as indicated at 32. A U-shaped saddle 34, also of plastics material, interengages with the block 28 by having its side limbs 36 fitted into the recesses 32 in the block 28. The saddle 34 is thus able to slide relative to the block 28 in the direction towards and away from the adjacent face of the partition 1 0. The block 28 has a bore 38 therethrough which is counterbored to receive an internally threaded bush 40. A screw member 42 is threaded into the bush 40 and has a rounded inner end which is arranged to abut a part-spherical depression in the opposite face of the transverse limb of the saddle 34.

In use, the frame 12 is fitted into the opening in the partition 10, the individual blocks 28 are pushed into the U-section channel 14 at spaced intervals around the periphery of the frame, and then by tightening the screws 42 the saddles 34 slide as captive elements relative to the blocks 28 and are pushed by the screws into pressure contact with the adjacent face of the partition 10 just inside the opening. This provides a considerable area of contact with the face of the partition and ensures a secure fastening. The fasteners 26 can be tightened up until the outer face of the partition 10 contacts the inner face of the pressure flange 18 of the frame, or, alternatively, a sealing member (not shown) may be provided between the partition and the pressure flange 18.

The frame and the elements of the individual fasteners 26 can be dimensioned to be used with different ranges of thickness of the partition or wall 10. An insert, indicated in broken outline at 44 in Fig. 1 may be provided between the face of the opening in the partition 10 and the adjacent main web 1 6 of the frame, this optional insert being secured, such as by screws, to the outer face of the main frame web 1 6.

In order to mask the fasteners 26 from view when the frame is fitted into the partition a trim strip 46 is fitted around the full periphery of the frame. The trim strip 46 is provided with a backing 48 of expanded metal which has its one end turned in around the top of the fastener block 28.

The other end of the backing 48 and the adjacent end of the trim strip 46 are fitted between the outer face of the fastener blocks 28 and a projecting flange 50 which is an extension of the outer limb of the U-section channel 14. The other end of the trim strip 46 is simply turned in against the inner face of the partition and the trim strip 46 thus forms an aesthetic mask to hide the individual fasteners around the frame.

Although it is preferred to secure the fastener blocks 28 to the frame by lodging them in the Usection channel around the periphery of the frame, substantially the same effect could be achieved by dispensing with the U-section channel and securing the fastener blocks directly to a flange of the frame, for example by means of screws. The fasteners can also be used with frames of lesser depth which have no dividing flange 22 and which are designed to accept just a single thickness pane.

Claims (7)

1. A window having a frame fixed into an opening in a partition or wall, wherein the fixing of the frame is effected by a plurality of discrete fasteners spaced at intervals around the periphery of the frame, each fastener comprising a first element fixed relative to the frame, a second element interengaged with and movable relative to the first element, and tightening means carried by the first element and urging the second element into pressure contact with the partition or wall adjacent to the opening.

2. A window according to claim 1, in which the second element is formed as a saddle which slides in slots formed in the first element whereby the second element is held captive by the first element.

3. A window according to claim 1 or 2, in which the tightening means comprises a screw extending through the first element into engagement with the second element.

4. A window according to claim 3, in which the screw is threaded into a bush carried by the first element.

5. A window according to any preceding claim, in which the first and second elements are formed of synthetic plastics material formed by injection moulding.

6. A window according to any preceding claim, in which the frame is of a thickness greater than the thickness of the partition or wall in which it is fixed, and the frame includes a channel extending around the periphery of the opening and in which said first elements of the individual fasteners are fixedly positioned.

7. A window substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.