AU770855B2 - Joinery construction - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant/s: Actual Inventor/s: Address for Service: Invention Title: Details of Assoc. Provisior and Convention Applicatio Architectural Profiles Limited lan Paul Baines and Michael Frederick Glover BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS MARGARET STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000 "CONDENSATION CONTROL IN JOINERY" ial in No's: New Zealand Patent Application No. 331231 filed 31 July 1998 and PP5753 filed 8 September, 1998.

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- File: 22600.00 -2-

INTRODUCTION

This invention relates to improvements in joinery construction and method of manufacture of joinery, and has particular applications to glazing and condensation control in joinery.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

In the past, joinery has traditionally been constructed in a variety of elongate 10 materials including timber, metal (particularly aluminium), and some plastics materials.

Construction of joinery in one or other of the above-mentioned materials, or others, has resulted for reasons of convenience, economy and the like in the normally intended inner portions of the joinery being formed in a material common with that used on the outer or exterior exposed portions of the joinery.

An internationally growing trend of considerations of aesthetics, particularly the leo.

interior aesthetics of joinery is developing in importance, where customer demand has created a market for so called "composite" joinery is formed from a mixture of materials, often taking the best of the inherent advantages of each material and reducing, if not eliminating the disadvantages of such materials in the resultant finished article.

As an example, timber, whilst often regarded as having highly desirable aesthetic properties, particularly on the interior of a building, carries with it the disadvantages of manufacturing costs, high maintenance and a lack of weatherliness. Further, aluminium, whilst often able to technically provide joinery performance aspects desired and meet cost criteria, is often regarded by customers to lack the desired beneficial aesthetic properties. Aluminium joinery is also often associated with problems of heat conduction and associated heating and condensation control difficulties, particularly in colder climates.

Plastics, for example PVC and UPVC manufactured joinery, whilst providing inherent insulation and cost advantages, is often associated with compromised mechanical properties, particularly in tortional rigidity and generally strength, together with other perceived durability and aesthetic disadvantages.

Composite joinery construction also has in many instances been found to also be compromised, for example in the-cost of manufacture and in performance where condensation on and between interior exposed glazing, metal and timber componentry of the joinery can lead to significant disadvantages. These disadvantages have been at least to some extent identified and addressed in our co-pending Australian patent application number 83099/98.

Whilst condensation and deterioration of the joinery components as a result of exposure to moisture and dampness, together with staining as a result of mould and the like has been a problem in composite joinery, the addressing of removal of condensation on the interior of a building, particularly on joinery componentry has been a significant problem, particularly in colder or more humid climates. Attempts have been made to address condensation issues in a variety of ways; some have included the use 25 of specialist expensive glazing panels including multiple glazing sheets which increase the ability of the joinery to create a high thermal gradient between the inner and outer surfaces of the glazing in use, .**:*however exposed surrounding conductive material can still create condensation problems.

Where multiple glazing is utilised, often special joinery and a variety of joinery components are necessary to enable the multiple glazing, this leads to significant manufacturing cost in terms of stock holding, varieties of extrusions, extrusion shapes and the like.

Furthermore, often it is difficult for the joinery manufacturer to present to customers joinery having a common appearance where, for example, some joinery is multiply glazed and others are single glazed.

This difference in appearance, the presence of often exposed joinery components in comparative single glazed joinery and the often significant added cost has been found to discourages customers from potential usage where it might be appropriate, particularly in temperate climates where the need for multiple glazing (in the absence of an additional noise control requirement) is arguably "essential" only on the "cold" sides of the building not generally exposed to direct sunlight.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

Modifications are envisaged and may be incorporated without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

BROAD DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a joinery construction adapted for mounting predetermined single and multiple panels, said joinery construction including at least one frame portion having a primary recess which has opposingly arranged first and second abutment portions adaptable to contact a panel, an optional independent infill member adapted to be positionable in the primary 25 recess, said infill member being independent of frame portion and engageable with the frame portion to form a secondary recess and a third abutment portion; It and at least one panel positionable in the secondary recess, said panel being securable between the first and third abutment portions; wherein the joinery construction is adaptable to accommodate single or multiple panels by the presence or absence of the independent infill member.

Preferably a single panel is secured in said joinery construction between the second and third abutment portions.

o• Preferably multiple panels are secured in the joinery construction between the first and second abutment portions.

Preferably the infill member is a frame member and is adapted to have a common appearance with the interior surfaces of the frame portion and at least partially provides thermal insulation.

Preferably the joinery construction is formed to present a substantially identical appearance in exterior surfaces irrespective of whether single or multiple panels are secured by the joinery construction.

Preferably the joinery construction the infill member is formed as an elongate member in sufficiently rigid material to form the third abutment portion.

Preferably the infill member is formed in a material of lower thermal conductivity than the frame and/or panel in communication for heat conduction with outer exposed portions of the joinery construction.

Preferably the infill member is formed in an extruded plastics material.

Preferably the infill member has the same colour, appearance and/or surface finish as internal surfaces of the frame portion.

Preferably the infill member is provided in various widths to complement the number of panels to be supported by a frame portion.

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Preferably the panel(s) are transparent or translucent and include glass panel.

loll Preferably at least one port is provided as an opening defined by non correspondingly shaped abutting end portions of separate infill members co-operating in said primary recess, in a sill region of the joinery construction.

0 Preferably the infill member includes a groove to collect and channel liquid received from interior surfaces of the joinery construction.

Preferably the infill member includes at least one port adapted to channel liquid collected in the groove to exterior portions of the joinery construction.

Preferably the at least one port is positioned to enable two way movement of fluid through said joinery construction from an outer side to an inner side thereof, and/or vice versa.

Preferably the port incorporates a control means to control the movement of fluid therethrough.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a method of constructing joinery in situ including the steps of; providing a frame portion including a primary recess adapted to accommodate an edge portion of a predetermined first panel; selecting an optional independent infill member independent of the frame portion to complement the thickness of a predetermined second panel, which is thinner than the predetermined first panel, and which has been selected for securement by said joinery, and engaging the infill member in the recess of the frame portion to form a secondary recess of reduced dimensions relative to the primary recess, said secondary recess being capable of accommodating and securing the predetermined second panel in the joinery.

Preferably the primary recess is capable of accommodating a range of predetermined panels of varying thicknesses.

i Preferably each infill member is adapted to engage with the frame portion and at least one predetermined panel.

Preferably the method includes the steps of forming the infill member in a material sufficiently rigid to provide an abutment portion which abuts said panel in the completed joinery construction.

~Preferably the method includes the steps of selectively engaging a panel chosen 35 from a range of predetermined panels to the frame portions and engaging an infill member S. of a predetermined thickness into the primary

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recess to match the thickness of the predetermined panel.

Preferably the method further provides that a relatively thin panel of the joinery construction can be replaced with a relatively thick panel selected from the predetermined range by creating the primary recess and/or adjustment of the secondary recess to enable accommodation of the thicker panel by removal or substitution of the infill member.

Preferably the relatively thick panel includes double glazing.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a joinery frame portion incorporating a primary recess, adapted to received a predetermined panel therein with an outer surface of the panel abutting a secondary abutment, a first abutment provided to oppose an inner surface of the panel and an infill member to provide a third abutment portion of at least one dimension of which co-operates in the recess to secure an inner face of a predetermined thinner (in relation to the predetermined panel) panel whilst maintaining an outer face of the predetermined thinner panel against said second abutment portion.

Other aspects of this invention should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description.

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INTERPRETATION

Throughout this specification, references are made to "inner" and "outer", and "exterior" and "interior" and words of a similar orientational concept with reference to buildings and joinery. These references are to be taken logically as referring to the outer portions or inner portions with reference to what is generally regarded as the exterior of the building assuming the joinery is intended for placement close to the building from the exterior environment or the interior of the building. Further orientational references such as "upwardly" and "downwardly", are also to be logically taken in an orientation relevant to the normal usage of the element/componentry or article with which use is normally contemplated.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: Is a diagrammatic typical joinery construction crosssection through a sill for fixed multiple glazing; in this case double glazing in a frame member; the sill board or jamb liner is partially shown.

ooooo Figure 2: Is a similar view to that described with reference to Figure 1, except where the joinery construction accommodates single glazing.

Figure 3: Is an exploded perspective partial view of a typical corner joint assembly between a sill and joints in the single glazed form according to Figure 2 showing a drainage arrangement for condensation.

Figure 4: Is a similar corner perspective partial view in non exploded form showing an alternative drainage arrangement for condensation.

e Whilst the preferred embodiment of the invention is described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, and in relation to, so called, composite joinery, the invention is not limited thereto and is applicable to all forms of joinery where varying thicknesses of glazing and glazing panels for the joinery is intended.

The preferred form of the invention is also described by way of example with reference to a typical joinery frame construction incorporating a sill, two spaced apart parallel jambs and a head to provide a substantially rectangular closure for a building opening, substantially according to known techniques. The invention is, however, not limited to this configuration of joinery and is applicable to almost all joinery forms contemplatable where multiple thickness glazing is normally possible.

Except as described hereinafter, should be contemplated that in the main, references to the cross-sectional configuration of the sill also apply to remaining perimeter members of the frame in accordance with normal joinery manufacture techniques.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular Figures 1 and 2 the joinery construction as indicated by arrow 1 preferably includes a frame 2, in this form a sill 2 having a frame flange 3 is adapted to overlay adjacent portions of the building outer surface adjacent an opening with which the joinery construction and is engageable in use, with remaining portions of the frame 2 extending inwardly of the building to position a jamb liner 4, preferably formed in timber material and mounted on an inner surface of the frame 2 to trim an inner portion of the building opening in the substantially known manner and to facilitate engagement of the joinery constructions within the building opening.

~The frame 2 in this form, but not essentially provides a glazing (or primary) recess generally indicated by arrow 5 which in the 35 preferred form of the invention (although not essentially) is openable to the exterior of the joinery construction by removal of a detachable .o glazing bead 6 which inter-engages with adjacent portions of the glazing recess 5 and facilitates the insertion, engagement and replacement of a glazing panel, in Figure 1 shown as a multiple (double) glazed "cavity" panel of substantially known construction, or alternatively in Figure 2 as a single sheet of glass for "single glazing".

It should be appreciated that whilst the invention is described with reference to unframed glazing panel 7 assemblies, in alternative arrangements, the glazing recess 5 can be adapted to accommodate a framed glazing panel 7, for example a glazed sash or other panel, and even an unglazed solid panel however in such circumstances it may be necessary to dispense with the glazing bar 6 and use such glazing bar in the sash assembly.

In this preferred form of the invention, the joinery construction frame portions 2 are formed in extruded metal, preferably aluminium, although this is not essential to the invention.

The glazing recess 5 in this form of the invention is adapted to receive a range of predetermined glazing panel thicknesses and provides a pair of opposingly arranged abutment portions 8, being an inner (or first) abutment 8a and an outer (or second) abutment 8b, a spacing between the abutment portions 8 being a dimension plus a working tolerance, for example for compressible sealing means 9 and 00C• 10 to enable accommodation of a contemplated thickest glazing panel .to 25 7 therebetween and securement and sealing of the glazing panel 7 in .me.

said glazing recess 5 via traditional resilient glazing wedges 9 and .sealing strip 10 and the like.

e.ee Referring now specifically to Figure 2, where the invention is adapted for a single glazing panel 7 or a glazing panel 7 of a predetermined thickness less than the glazing panel 7 described with reference to Figure 1, an infill member 20 is provided.

me., In the preferred form of the invention, the infill member 20 is provided in a material having a thermal conductivity less than the r-...thermal conductivity of remaining portions of the joinery exposed on i the outer surface thereof and preferably specifically including the &Soo glazing 7 and frame 2. The infill 20 is formed in a substantially rigid plastics material, such as PVC or UPVC and is preferably coloured to match with timber or other portions on the inner side of the joinery, however this is not essential.

The infill member 20 is provided as an elongate extrusion of a variety of width dimensions to suit glazing panel 7 used. Infill member is adapted to be positionable in the glazing recess 5 to form a secondary recess. The infill member 20 provides the appropriately sized secondary recess and takes up a spacing between the inner abutment 8a and outer abutment 8b of the glazing recess 5 to accommodate the desired single glazing panel 7 in the secondary recess.

When mounted the single glazing panel 7 together with infill member 20, front face 7b of glazing panel 7 is positioned in a substantially similar position to the position adopted by a multiple glazed panel 7 as will be seen by a comparison of Figures 1 and 2.

It will be appreciated that the infill member 20 is sufficiently rigid to produce a third abutment for the single glazing panel 7 thus the infill member 20 contacts the inner abutment 8a and the glazing panel 7 (through sealing strip "25 In the preferred form of the invention, a range of varying thickness infill members 20 are provided, preferably, although not exclusively, to enable the joinery 1 to accommodate glazing panel 7 thicknesses selected from a range of the minimum thickness .fj..

contemplated single glazing format, through to thicker glazing panel 7, even including some relatively thin multiple, and preferably double glazing unit 7, incorporating an insulating cavity there between. In the preferred form of the invention, however, preferably with multiple glazing, it is intended that the infill member 20 will be removed from 000**. the glazing recess 5, and the glazing recess 5 being of a dimension 35 which will accommodate the thickest contemplated multiple glazed, for ~example, double or triple glazing panel 7 for use. Typically, the glazing recess 5 is adapted to receive glazing panel 7 in the range of 2mm, to 13mm thickness, however these dimensions are in no way limiting.

In this form of the invention the infill member 20 is preferably upwardly grooved at 21 to provide a receptacle in the sill area of the joinery for receiving and holding liquid, such as condensation and the like running from the interior face 7a of the glazing panel 7, to prevent the liquid running where unwanted, for example on to a timber facing the inner surfaces of the joinery construction 1, or onto walls or adjacent curtains (not shown). In the preferred form, and with reference to Figure 4, preferably, the infill member 20 extends along the full length of the sill element 2 and abuts with end portions 20a of other infill members 20 engaged in the jambs, such that a small opening 25 is provided by the grooves of the jamb infill members facing side of the sill insert 21 at each end of the sill 2 whereby the liquid runoff can pass conveniently into the glazing recess 5 and drain outwardly therefrom to the exterior of the joinery 1 via a weep hole 26 or other drains 11 in the joinery elements.

With reference to Figures 3, whilst not essential to the invention, it is alternatively contemplated that the construction of this invention may also include a valving mechanism 27 constructed substantially as described in our co-pending New Zealand patent application number 286859 dated 20 June 1996. In this form but not essentially the valving mechanism 27 may be positioned under end portions of the infill members 20 of the jambs, to hide, substantially, the valve mechanism 27 from view.

e• ~In this form of the invention, the infill member 20 is additionally preferably provided with an appropriately reduced opening recess 23 within which resilient sealing means 10 may be engaged so as to provide a seal between the inner surface 7a of the glazing panel 7 and remaining portions of the joinery. Further, a flange 22 on an opposing side of the infill member 20 is preferably arranged with a cover portion S 35 24 arranged to extend inwardly of the joinery construction 1 to slightly overlap an upper surface of an adjacent timber facing for the frame, so as to substantially hide the metal portions of the frame 2 from view on an interior of said joinery construction 1 and at least thermally insulate those portions from the building interior in use.

Preferably elongate engagement portions 25 are positioned on the infill member 20 in such a position as to "snap" engage in a reduced opening recess 12 on the abutment 8a normally provided for engaging the sealing means 10 in the form of the invention shown in Figure 1. This engagement facilitates the securement of the infill member 20 in position, whereafter it is not simply dislodged. The base 26 of the insert preferably impinges against an adjacent wall 13 of the glazing recess 5 to thus securely position the infill member between the inner surface 7a of the glazing panel 7 and the abutment 8a.

It will be appreciated that the need for condensation control is largely unrequired with the multiple glazing configuration of Figure 1, whereas, in the single glazed configuration, condensation is likely to be a significant difficulty, and such condensation capture and control is provided in a manner which is both effective and economic. Whilst additionally enhancing the thermal insulative nature of the frame and exposure of the frame portions are likely to lead to condensation.

Further, the joinery construction 1 in either the multiple glazed or single glazed configuration presents a similar appearance on the exterior of the building and furthermore, the infill member oooo 25 enhances the aesthetics of the joinery when used in a single glazed configuration, especially in conjunction with multiple glazed similar joinery in close proximity.

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Whilst the invention has been described with reference to one form, it is to be appreciated that modifications and developments may be incorporated without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

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Claims (21)

1. A joinery construction adapted for mounting predetermined single and multiple panels, said joinery construction including at least one frame portion having a primary recess which has opposingly arranged first and second abutment portions adaptable to contact a panel, an optional independent infill member adapted to be positionable in the primary recess, said infill member being independent of frame portion and engageable with the frame portion to form a secondary recess and a third abutment portion; and at least one panel positionable in the secondary recess, said panel being securable between the first and third abutment portions; wherein the joinery construction is adaptable to accommodate single or multiple panels by the presence or absence of the independent infill member.

2. A joinery construction according to claim 1, wherein a single panel is secured in said joinery construction between the second and third abutment portions.

3. A joinery construction according to claim 1, wherein multiple panels are secured in the joinery construction between the first and second abutment portions.

4. A joinery construction according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the infill member is a frame member and is adapted to have a common appearance with the interior surfaces of the frame portion and at least partially provides thermal insulation. A joinery construction according to any one of the preceding claims wherein such i joinery construction is formed to present a substantially identical appearance in exterior surfaces irrespective of whether single or multiple panels are secured by the joinery construction.

6. A joinery construction according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the infill member is formed as an elongate member in sufficiently rigid material to form the third abutment portion.

7. A joinery construction according to either claims 1 or 4 wherein the infill member is formed in a material of lower thermal conductivity than the frame and/or panel in communication for heat conduction with outer exposed portions of the joinery construction.

8. A joinery construction as claimed in claim 7 wherein the infill member is formed in an extruded plastics material.

9. A joinery construction as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the infill member has the same colour, appearance and/or surface finish as internal surfaces of the frame portion. A joinery construction as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the infill member is provided in various widths to complement the number of panels to be supported by a frame portion.

11. A joinery construction as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the panel(s) are transparent or translucent and include glass panel. 25 12. A joinery construction as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one port is provided as an opening defined by non :correspondingly shaped abutting end portions of separate infill members co-operating in said primary recess, in a sill region of the joinery construction.

13. A joinery construction as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the infill member includes a groove to collect and channel liquid received from interior surfaces of the joinery construction. S14. A joinery construction according to claim 13 wherein the infill member includes at least one port adapted to channel liquid collected in the groove to exterior portions of the joinery construction. A joinery construction as claimed in claim 14 wherein the at least one port is positioned to enable two way movement of fluid through said joinery construction from an outer side to an inner side thereof, and/or vice versa.

16. A joinery construction as claimed in either claims 14 or 15 wherein the port incorporates a control means to control the movement of fluid therethrough. io 17. A method of constructing joinery in situ including the steps of; providing a frame portion including a primary recess adapted to accommodate an edge portion of a predetermined first panel; selecting an optional independent infill member independent of the frame portion to complement the thickness of a predetermined second panel, which is thinner than the predetermined first panel, and which has been selected for securement by said joinery, and engaging the infill member in the recess of the frame portion to form a secondary recess of reduced dimensions relative to the primary recess, said secondary recess being capable of accommodating and securing the predetermined second panel in the joinery.

18. A method of constructing joinery as claimed in claim 17 wherein the primary recess is capable of accommodating a range of predetermined panels of varying thicknesses.

19. A method of constructing joinery as claimed in either claims 17 or 18 wherein each infill member is adapted to engage with the frame portion and at least one predetermined panel.

20. A method of constructing joinery according to any one of claims 17 to 19 including the steps of forming the infill member in a material sufficiently rigid to provide an abutment portion which abuts said predetermined thinner panel in the completed joinery construction.

21. A method as claimed in claim 17 including the step of selectively engaging a panel chosen from a range of predetermined panels to the frame portions and engaging an infill member of a predetermined thickness into the primary recess to match the thickness of the predetermined panel.

22. A method of constructing joinery as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the method further provides that a relatively thin panel of the joinery construction can be replaced with a relatively thick panel selected from the predetermined range by creating the primary recess and/or adjustment of the secondary recess to enable accommodation of the thicker panel by removal or substitution of the infill member.

23. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the relatively thick panel includes double glazing.

24. An infill member in the joinery construction as claimed in claim 1. An infill member used according to methods as claimed in claim 17.

26. A joinery frame portion incorporating a primary recess, adapted to receive a predetermined panel therein with an outer surface of the panel abutting a secondary abutment, a first abutment provided to oppose an inner surface of the panel and an infill member to provide a 25 third abutment portion which co-operates in the recess to secure an inner face of a predetermined thinner (in relation to the predetermined S•panel) panel whilst maintaining an outer face of the predetermined thinner panel against said second abutment portion.

27. A joinery construction as herein described with reference to any one of Figures 1 to 4.

28. A method of constructing joinery as herein described and with reference to any one of the accompanying Figures 1 to 4. DATED this 7 th day of February, 2003 BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS Attorneys for: ARCHITECTURAL PROFILES LIMITED