GB2539191A

GB2539191A - Window and door shell construction

Info

Publication number: GB2539191A
Application number: GB1509776.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Johnson Paul
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-06-05
Filing date: 2015-06-05
Publication date: 2016-12-14
Also published as: GB201509776D0

Abstract

A window or door comprises a first shell member 1 and a second shell member 10 secured together with a panel member 7, 14 mounted therebetween. At least one of the shell members has at least one aperture 4, 11, through which a portion of the panel is visible. At least one of the shell members may be a frame member mounting the panel. The first and second shells may mount first and second panel members and the shell members may be secured together so the panels are parallel and coextensive. There may be a third panels mounted between the first and second, the third panel 24 may be of thermal or acoustic insulating material. At least one of the first and second panels may be transparent, and a perforated decorative screen may be located between them. The panels may be attached to the shell members by retaining strips 8, 9, 15, 16. The second shell member may be located within the first. The panel member may be a roller blind (30, Fig. 3).

Description

WINDOW AND DOOR SHELL CONSTRUCTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a window or door mounting multiple panel members.

Background to the Invention

Doors and windows are typically constructed with recesses in one face, into which panels, especially glazing panels, are then located and secured, for example by the use of secondary glazing bars. While this method of construction is satisfactory for many uses, it can be more difficult to create multi-layer lo structures.

Shutters for doors and windows are typically constructed as a frame with a panel mounted therein, with little scope for creating custom decorative effects. Summary of the Invention According to the invention, there is provided a window or door compris-ing a first shell member and a second shell member secured together with a panel member mounted therebetween, at least one of the first and second shell members having at least one aperture therein through which a portion of the panel member is visible.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first and second shell members is in the form of a frame mounting said panel member.

Preferably, the first shell member mounts a first panel member and the second shell member mounts a second panel member, the first and second shell members being secured together such that the first and second panel members are substantially parallel and coextensive.

It will be understood that "window or door" includes shutters for window and door openings in a building.

Other features of the invention are set out in the claims.

A benefit of the invention is that different configurations can readily be assembled using a standard frame structure. For example mirrors and decora- tive screens can be incorporated into a shutter, and thermal or acoustic insula-tion material can be incorporated simply and quickly. -2 -

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through a window according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1, but with an additional panel member installed; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of one shell member with a roller blind installed therein; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of one shell member adapted to mount 10 a composite panel member; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment to that shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is an exploded isometric view showing the window of Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a view of two hinged panels showing an electrical connection between them.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments Referring to Figure 1, a hinged panel for a window, door or shutter comprises a first shell member 1, suitably fabricated from metal sheet, having adja- cent opposed edges 2 and 3 of the central opening 4 of the shell screw-threaded sockets 5 and 6. A panel member 7, for example a mirror or a decorative panel, extends across the opening 4 and is held in position by retaining strips 8 and 9, each being secured to the first shell member 1 by means of screws (not shown) passing through holes in the retaining strip and engaged in the respective sockets 5 and 6.

A second shell member 10 similarly has a central opening 11 and screw-threaded sockets 12 and 13 adjacent opposed edges of the opening, a second panel member 14 being held in the second shell member by retaining strips 15 and 16 held by screws (not shown) engaged in the sockets 12 and 13. The second shell member 10 has an outwardly-directed flange 17 therearound.

Screws (not shown) engage threaded sockets 19 and 20 on the first shell member 1, located outwardly of the sockets 5 and 6, through holes through the -3 -flange 17 to secure the first and second shell members together with their openings 4 and 11 aligned.

The first shell member 1 has a flange 21 around the periphery thereof extending normally to the plane of the opening 4 and surrounding the second shell 5 member. The flange 21 mounts hinges 22 and 23 on opposed sides, by which the resulting panel can be hingedly connected to similar panels to permit folding when not in use. It will be appreciated that the hinges on one side thereof can be used to mount the window or shutter in a window opening, rather than to another such frame, and that it may be sufficient to have hinges on only one side, 10 where there is a single window or shutter in an opening, or where two windows or shutters are separately hinged and meet in the middle.

Figure 2 illustrates an alternative configuration, in which a sheet 24 of thermally-insulating material is sandwiched between the first and second shell members of the frame of Figure 1. The insulating material may be adapted to absorb sound as well as offering thermal insulation.

Figure 3 illustrates yet another embodiment, in which a roller blind 30 is mounted in the second shell member 31 via opposed holes 32 and 33, the second 31 and first 34 shell members then being secured together by screws as described with reference to Figure 1.

Figure 4 illustrates a simpler embodiment in which the first shell member is formed with upstanding sockets 41 and 42 on opposed edges of the opening 43, the sockets 41 and 42 extending to substantially the same height, relative to the plane of the opening 43, as the side flange 44 of the first shell member. A simplified second shell member 45 is attached by screws (not shown) to the upstanding sockets 41 and 42 to hold in place between it and the first shell member multiple panel members, for example two decorative panels 46 and 47 with a thermally-insulating sheet 48 between them. The sides of the second shell member 45 are of simple L-shape section. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment, in which the first and second shell members are con-figured to fit together to form an enclosed unit, rather than the second shell member locating with the first. In this embodiment, the second shell member 50 is formed with a stepped surrounding flange 51 having a first portion 51A with -4 -the same external dimensions as the flange 52 surrounding the first shell member 53, and a second portion 51 B extending therefrom and dimensioned to be a close fit within the flange 52. Aligned holes 54 respectively in the flange 52 and the second portion 51 B permit the two shell members 50 and 53 to be fastened together. Each of the shell members 50 and 53 has a respective panel member 55 and 56 secured therein in the manner described hereinbefore with respect to Figure 4 and Figure 1 respectively, the panel member 55 being a composite panel.

Figure 7 shows two panels of the type shown in Figures 5 and 6, hinged together to permit folding of a shutter to one side of a window opening. The panels are provided with internal lights producing a decorative effect through a translucent or perforated panel member, for example.

An electrical connection is provided from one panel to the next by means of a spring-loaded connector 60 mounted on one side of the first shell member 53 of one panel, between the connecting hinges 61 and 62, and contacting a conductor plate 64 mounted on the second panel. It is envisaged that the panels would be formed with metal shell members, and the conductor plate would therefore need to be electrically insulated from the shell member 51, which could be configured to provide the return ground path for the electrical connec-tion.

The internal lights can be provided in a sealed composite panel provided with a suitable electrical connection to the connector 60.

While the invention has been particularly described and illustrated as including aligned rectangular openings through which the panels may be seen, it will be appreciated that other configurations are possible. For example, at least one of the shell members may be provided with a pattern of apertures in place of the one rectangular opening, suitably forming a decorative pattern over the surface of a mirror. The pattern of apertures is suitably formed by laser cutting. -5 -

Claims

CLAIMS1. A window or door comprising a first shell member and a second shell member secured together with a panel member mounted therebetween, at least one of the first and second shell members having at least one aperture therein through which a portion of the panel member is visible.
2. A window or door according to Claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second shell members is in the form of a frame mounting said panel member.
3. A window or door according to Claim 2, wherein the first shell to member mounts a first panel member and the second shell member mounts a second panel member, the first and second shell members being secured together such that the first and second panel members are substantially parallel and coextensive.
4. A window or door according to Claim 3, comprising a third panel member mounted between the first and second panel members.
5. A window or door according to Claim 4, wherein the third panel comprises thermal and/or acoustic insulating material.
6. A window or door according to Claim 3, wherein at least one of the first and second panels is light-transmitting.
7. A window or door according to Claim 6, wherein at least one of the first and second panel members is transparent.
8. A window or door according to Claim 6 or 7, comprising a perfo-rated decorative screen located between the first and second panel members.
9. A window or door according to Claim 3, wherein at least one of the first and second panel members is a perforated decorative screen.
10. A window or door according to any of Claims 3 to 9, wherein the first and second panel members are each attached to the respective shell member by retaining strips extending along and engaging opposed edges of the panel member and attached to the shell member.
11. A window or door according to any of Claims 3 to 9, wherein the first and second panel members are each attached to the respective shell -6 -member by a retaining frame engaging the edges of the panel member and attached to the shell member.
12. A window or door according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein the retain-ing strips or retaining frames are attached to the respective shell members by 5 means of screws.
13. A window or door according to any preceding claim, wherein the second shell member is dimensioned and arranged to locate within the first shell member.
14. A window or door according to Claim 1, wherein the panel mem-ber is in the form of a roller blind.
15. A window or door, substantially as described with reference to, and/or as shown in, any of the drawings.