GB2172330A

GB2172330A - Window glazing

Info

Publication number: GB2172330A
Application number: GB08505380A
Authority: GB
Inventors: B P Lightfoot
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-03-01
Filing date: 1985-03-01
Publication date: 1986-09-17
Also published as: GB8505380D0

Abstract

A window glazing arrangement comprises studs (4 fig 1A, not shown) fixed, at spaced positions, along a frame member 1, and a glazing bead 11 adapted to snap-fit onto said studs, being formed with a sloping wall 15. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Glazing arrangernentsfcrthe glazing of steel win dows This invention relates to steel window frames for fixed and/or hinging windows, and particularly to glazing arrangementsforfixing the glazing thereof in-situ.

The profile of steel section, mass produced in steel mills forfabrication into such window frames, has remained unchanged for many years. This profile is basically as shown in Figures 1 A and 1 B of the attached sketches and comprises a horizontal flange 1 having an inwardly projecting vertical flange 2 (for the inwards facing sideofthewindow) and an outwardly projecting, outer, vertical flange 3. The dimension "X" oftheflange 1 is generally only sufficient for single glazing, or relatively narrow double glazing units, to be held in-situ by glazing putty beads or clips.For single bead glazing (see Figure 1A) it has been normal practice to fit a line of spaced studs 4 along the lengths oftheflanges 1 ofthe windowframe, as shown, and to snap-fit glazing beads 5, which are bent from metal to form a channel-section with inwardlyturned feet 5A, onto said studs. The beads 5 are abutted, preferably mitred, together at the frame corners and bear against the glazing via a suitable mastic 6 to seal the window.

In orderto fit wider double glazed units, various glazing arrangements have been proposed. A typical arrangement is shown in Figure 1 B and comprises an extruded strip 7, preferably of non-rusting material such as aluminium, which is attached to the face of the outerflange3, preferably bythecounter-sunkscrews 8 screwed into tapped holes Sin the frame. Alterna- tively, hardened self-tapping screws 8 may be used in plain bores 9. An advantage of this typical arrange ment isthatthe strip is formed with a sloping wall 10, as shown, so thatthefinished glazed window has a chamfered-surround effect normally associated with windows traditionally sealed with putty or mastic.

However, the arrangement otherwise has two major disadvantages, viz the time and expense required to drill the holes 9 in the flange 2 and corresponding countersunk holes in the strip, and the fixing which, in the case of a hinged window, would include cutting the strip to fit around the hinges. The finished window is also unsightly due to the screw heads being visible.

Because ofthe potential demand for greater thermal insulation, and the availability of wider double glazing units, the steel mills will now offer a profile (hereinaf ter referred to as the "new profile") as shown in Figure 2. It can be seen that the profile is basically similar to the old profile (like parts having the same reference numbers) but has a lengthened horizontal flange 1 which provides an increased dimension "X" forwider double glazing units.

An object ofthe invention isto provide a glazing arrangementforthe new profile which combines the advantages of ease of glazing with the traditional chamfered-surround effect.

According to this invention, for a window con structedfrom steel section of said new profile, a glazing arrangement is provided comprising studs fixed, at spaced positions, along the lengthened portion of the horizontal flange of said new profile of each frame member to provide a line of studs around the windowframe, and a glazing bead for each frame member adapted to snap-fit onto said studs, each glazing bead being of metal or substantially rigid plastics and formed with a sloping inwardly facing wall which tapers to a nose portion so that, when snap4itted around said frame and abutted together at corners of the window frame, the glazing beads provide a traditional chamfered-surround effectfor the window with novisiblefixings.

The invention includes, within its scope, glazing beads, which are preferably formed as extrusions, specificallyfor use in such a steel window glazing arrangement.

In orderthatthe invention may be readily understood, two embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:~ Figures 1A and B are cross-sectional views showing known glazing arrangements as discussed above, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a "new profile" metal section as discussed above, Figures 3A and B and Care respective crosssectional views of said various embodiments ofthe invention, and Figures 4A and B and Care respective, modified, forms of the arrangement of Figures 3A and B and C.

Referring to Figure 3A, the cross-section is taken through the lowerframe member of the window frame and showsthe lengthened horizontal flange 1 of the new profile. In accordance with the invention, a number of studs 4 are screwed into the lengthened part ofthe flange 1 at spaced positions along the length of this and the otherframe members to provide a line of studs around the window frame. Each frame member has a glazing bead 11 of special form snap4itted thereon. The glazing beads are extruded or pressed from metal (e.g. aluminium or steel), or suitable rigid plastics (e.g. UPVC) and are formed with a pair of legs 1 2 with opposed mutually inwardly extending feet 13 for snap-fitting overthe studs 4, and a nose portion 14 adapted to sit on the outer end ofthe flange 1.The legs and nose portion are connected by a sloping inwardlyfacing wall 15 which tapers to said nose portion. Itwill be appreciated thatthe slope is such that, with all the glazing beads fitted to their respective frame members, and the beads mitred together atthe frame corners, a traditional chamferedsurround effect is created with no visible fixings.

Figure 3B is similarto Figure 3A but shows a modified form of extruded glazing bead 11,where only one inner leg 12 is provided and its mutually opposed foot 13 is formed as part of the nose portion 14. Figure 3C is a variant of Figure 3B with the bead formed from pressed steel.

Figures 4A to 4C show the glazing beads of Figures 3Ato 3C as they could be applied to a steel, T-section The drawing(s) originally filed was (were) informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

The claims were filed later than the filing date within the period prescribed by Rule 25(1) of the Patents Rules 1982.

profile, section 16 which could be connected together as a framework and used to support double glazing units contiguouslyto cover a large window area orto give a small pane "Georgian" effect, said units being fitted to each side ofthe limbs 17 ofthe sections 16.

Claims

1. Awindow glazing arrangement in which the window frame is constructed from steel section of said new profile, comprising studs fixed, at spaced positions, along the lengthened portion ofthe horizontal flange of said new profile of each frame memberto provide a line of studs around the windowframe, and a glazing bead for each frame member adapted to sn a pfit onto said studs, each glazing bead being formed with a sloping wall which tapers to a nose portion and being mitred at its ends so that, when snap-fitted around said windowframe and abutted together at corners of the window frame, the glazing beads provide a traditional chamfered-surround effect with no visible fixings.

2. A window glazing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each glazing bead comprises a pair or' opposed mutually inwardly extending feet on the underside of the sloping wall, which are spaced apart and shaped such that they can be snap-fittexi over the studs.

3. Awindow glazing arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said feet and provided on a pair of legs extending from the undersideofsaidwall.

4. Awindowglazing arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the innerfootis provided on a leg extending from the underside of said wall, and the outerfoot is formed as part of said nose portion.

5. A window glazing arrangement according to my preceding claim, wherein the glazing beads are extruded or pressed from metal or rigid plastics.

6. A window glazing arrangement constructed, arranged and adapted for use substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 3R or 4A, 3B or 48, or3C or4C of the accompanying drawings.

7. A glazing bead extruded or pressed from metal or plastics and having mounting means specifically adapted to snap-fit into a window glazing arrange ment according to any one of the preceding claims.