GB2151289A

GB2151289A - Structural member for a bay window

Info

Publication number: GB2151289A
Application number: GB08431452A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Hardy
Original assignee: LB Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: LB Plastics Ltd
Priority date: 1983-12-13
Filing date: 1984-12-13
Publication date: 1985-07-17
Also published as: GB8431452D0; GB2151289B; GB8333216D0

Abstract

A structural member comprises an elongated reinforcing core member 8 and at least two outer cover members 12 to provide a sheath or casing for it. The member is intended for use as a vertical upright at the corner of a bay window assembly having window frames provided with arcuate shoe portions 18 abutting the upright. The window frames are, angularly adjustable prior to final fixing by sliding of the shoe members around the outer surface of the upright. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bay window constructions This invention relates to the construction of bay windows.

Bay windows are constructed in a wide range of different shapes and sizes and in particular the angle between the windows forming the bay varies considerably between one construction and another. It is therefore necessary to provide some means of varying the angle between the window frames which make up the bay window and hitherto this has been achieved by providing tubular supports at the corners of the bay around which the adjacent window frame assemblies can be angularly adjusted to suit the geometry of the bay.

Previously proposed bay window constructions of this kind have generally incorporated supports comprising an internal metal reinforcing member surrounded by an outer tube. These suffer from the disadvantage that it is necessary for the tube to be located over the reinforcing member before the support is fitted into the bay opening and the tube can easily be damaged during fitting. Since portions of the tube are visible after assembly of the bay window damaged tubes require to be removed and replaced which is time consuming and inconvenient.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate this disadvantage.

The invention provides a structural member comprising an elongated reinforcing core member and at least two outer cover members adapted to locate around the core member to provide a sheath or casing therefor.

Preferably the core member is provided with recesses engageable by complementary projections on the cover members. The core member is preferably of non-circular cross-section and the cover members of arcuate cross-section whereby to present a cylindrical external appearance. The cover members may abut one another to enclose the core member entirely or may partially enclose the core member leaving peripheral gaps in regions of the structural member which are concealed from view when in use.

Advantageously two cover members are provided which are of identical cross-section and may therefore be formed by cutting suitable lengths from a single member. The core member may ad vantageousiy be formed from aluminium by extrusion and the cover members from extruded plastics material.

The invention also provides a bay window assembly comprising at least two structural members in accordance with the preceding paragraphs forming vertical uprights at the corners of the bay, and window frames provided with arcuate shoe portions disposed in abutment with the associated uprights and angularly adjustable relative thereto prior to fixing by sliding of the shoe members around the outer surfaces of the uprights.

Preferably the shoe members are provided with abutment faces adapted to contact one another when adjacent shoe members are disposed at right angles to one another. The shoe members may advantageously be formed from extruded plastics material.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a horizontal cross-section through a corner of a bay window assembly in which the adjacent window frames are inclined to one another at an angle greater than 90 ; and Fig. 2 is a similar cross-section in which the adjacent window assemblies are disposed at right angles to one another.

Referring to the drawings, the window assembly comprises window frames 5A and 5B formed from extruded plastics frame members 6A and 6B the vertical side frame members only of which are shown in the drawings. At the corners of the bay the window frames abut against vertical corner posts one of which is shown at 7 in the drawings.

Generally the bay window will incorporate two corner posts 7 and three window frames but in some constructions there may be four or more corner posts and a correspondingly increased number of window frames.

Each corner post comprises an inner core 8 of constant cross-section throughout its length and formed from aluminium by extrusion. The core has spaced parallel sides 9 interconnected by rounded ends 10 each of which incorporates a longitudinally extending recess or channel 11. A pair of cover members 12 are clipped on to the central core 8 by means of in-turned peripheral projections 13 engaging the edges of the recesses 11 so as to cloak the major portion of the reinforcing member 8 leaving parallel uncloaked channels 14 at opposite sides. Longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs 15 are provided on the inner surfaces of the cover members 12 and abut adjacent portions of the outer surface of the core member 8 to rigidify the assembly.

Both the cover members 12 are of identical cross-section and formed from extruded plastics material. Both cover portions may therefore be formed by cutting suitable lengths from the same extrusion. The cover portions are flexed slightly to engage the projections 13 with grooves 11 in the core member 8 and are retained in position due to the inherent resiliency of the plastics material.

The side members of each of the window frames 5A and 5B are provided with elongated locating members or shoes 18 secured to the frame members by screwing or adhesive and having arcuate outer faces 19 complementary to the outer surfaces of the cover members 12. In this way the window frames 5A and 5B may be rotated around the outer surface of the upright 7 to angular positions appropriate to the construction of the bay in which the window assembly is to be installed. Installation of the window is then completed by securing the window frames in the bay opening in the desired angular positions.

In order to facilitate the construction of bay windows in which the window frames are disposed at right angles to one another the inner portions of the shoe members 18 are provided with abutment faces 20 which engage one another when the shoes, and hence the associated frames, are disposed at right angles to one another as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. In this position the outer portions of the shoes continue to cover the recesses 14 and the inner and outer exposed edges of the shoes are designed to produce a pleasing internal and external appearance to the assembled window.

In constructing the window the internal reinforcing cores 8 are first mounted in the brickwork or the like of the bay opening and suitably secured at top and bottom. The window frames can be tested relative to the cores to check that everything is in order prior to final fitting, following which the window frames can be removed, the covers 12 fitted to the cores 8 and the frames relocated in the openings and secured in place. In this way necessary adjustments to the uprights can be effected before the covers 12 are fitted and once the cores have been secured in position the outer covers 12 can be clipped in place just prior to final assembly of the window. This considerably reduces the likeli hood of damaging the external surface of the up rights during installation of the window.

Various modifications may be made without de parting from the invention. For example, the window frames themselves may be of different construction and the core and cover members may be of different cross-sectional form. The cover members could encase the entire core by arranging for their edges to abut one another when fitted to the core and if desired the inner and outer cov ers could be of different cross-sectional form.

Moreover while reference has been made to construction of the core from aluminium and the cov ers and other components from plastics material, other materials could be employed if desired.

Claims

1. A structural member comprising an elongated reinforcing core member and at least two outer cover members adapted to locate around the core member to provide a sheath or casing therefor.

2. A structural member according to claim 1 wherein said core member is provided with re cesses engageable by complementary projections on the cover members.

3. A structural member according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said core member is of non-circular cross-section and said cover members of arcuate cross-section whereby to present a cylindrical ex ternal appearance.

4. A structural member according to any pre ceding claim wherein said cover members abut one another to enclose said core member entirely.

5. A structural member according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said cover members partially enclose the core member leaving peripheral gaps in regions of the structural member which are con cealed from view when in use.

6. A structural member according to any preceding claim wherein there are two of said cover members which are of identical cross-section.

7. A structural member according to any preceding claim wherein said core member is formed from extruded aluminium.

8. A structural member according to any preceding claim wherein said cover members are formed from extruded plastics material.

9. A structural member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A bay window assembly comprising at least two structural members according to any preceding claim forming vertical uprights at the corners of the bay, and window frames provided with arcuate shoe portions disposed in abutment with the associated uprights and angularly adjustable relative thereto prior to fixing by sliding of the shoe members around the outer surfaces of the uprights.

11. A bay window assembly according to claim 10 wherein said shoe members are provided with abutment faces adapted to contact one another when adjacent shoe members are disposed at right angles to one another.

12. A bay window assembly according to claim 10 or 11 wherein said shoe members are formed from extruded plastics material.

13. A bay window assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. 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.