GB2188357A - Windows - Google Patents

Abstract

A window has an outer frame 1, for mounting in a building wall opening, and intermediate frame 2 hinged to the outer frame so as to pivot or tilt inwardly into the building, and an inner frame 4 in the intermediate frame, which can be opened relative to the intermediate frame. The inner frame may tilt or slide relative to the intermediate frame. In normal use the inner frame is open and closed as the operative window or ventilator. The intermediate frame, opening inwards, permits access to the exterior of the intermediate frame and glazing for cleaning and maintenance. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Windows This invention relates to windows, and in particular to windows designed to provide multipleturning and/ortilting actions in a single unit.

The present invention resides in a window comprising a static outer frame for mounting in a building wall orthe like, an intermediate frame hinged to the static outer frame for movement between a closed position in which the intermediate frame is seated on or in the outer frame and an open position in which the intermediteframe is pivoted inwardly of the building orthe like in which the window is installed, and an innerframe accommodated and supported by the intermediate frame and openable relative to the latter slidably or outwardly of the building orthe like in which the window is installed.

According to one aspect of the invention, a window comprises a static outer frame, an intermediateframehaving one side hingedto one side of the static outerframefor pivoting about a vertical axis, and an innerframe hinged to the intermediate frame for tilting relative to the latter.

The innerframe mayfillthewhole or only partof the intermediate frame.

Preferably, the hinges between the outer and intermediate frames, and between the intermediate and innerframes, are friction lever hinges.

Preferably, the window is installed so thatthe intermediate frame pivots inwards, and the inner frame opens outwards.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a window comprises a static outer frame, an intermediate frame within the outerframe, hinged to tilt inwards, and an innerframe within the intermediate frame, hinged on the intermediate frame to tilt outwards.

Theintermediateframemayoccupyall or only part of the a rea of the outer frame, similarly the in ner frame may occupy all oronly partofthe area ofthe intermediate frame. In a preferred arrangement, the innerframeoccupiesonlytheupperpartofthe intermediate frame, acting as a ventilator, the rest of the intermediate frame being filled by a fixed pane.

Preferably, the hinges between the outer and intermediate frames, and between the intermediate and inner frames, are friction lever hinges.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a window comprises a static outerframe, an intermediate frame hinged in the outer frame, and at least one sliding innerframe in the intermediate frame.

The innerframe may be arrangedto slidevertically or horizontally in the intermediate frame. The intermediate frame, may be hinged in the outer frame, to turn about a vertical axis, orto tilt.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 8 show a window according to a first embodiment of the invention, in different positions, Figures 9to 14 show a window according to a second embodiment of the invention, in different positions, and Figures 15 and 16 ill ustrate windows according to further embodiments of the invention, and Figure 17shows a detail in cross section of window frames.

The first embodiment of the invention comprises a staticouterframei to be mounted ator in an opening inthewall of a building. An inwardly opening intermediate frame 2 has one vertical side hinged to one of the vertical sides of the static frame.

The hinges, visible in Figures 3, 7 and 8, are friction lever or linkage hinges 3, connected between the horizontal upper and lower sides of the outer frame, and the corresponding sides of the intermediate frame.

A locking mechanism is provided for locking the intermediate frame in its closed position in the outer frame.

Within the inwardly opening intermediate frame, is an outwardly opening innerframe 4. This is hinged to the intermediate frame so as to tilt outwards with a "pitch and pivot" opening as can be seen in Figures 5, and 6 and 8. Friction lever or linkage hinges 5 arranged to permit this movement are connected between the corresponding vertical sides of the intermediate and innerframes. A locking mechanism is provided for fastening the innerframe in its closed position relative to the intermediate frame.

The innerframe is glazed, with single or double glazing. I envisage that in normal use, the intermediateframewill remain closed and onlythe innerframewill be opened, to act as a ventilator. As can be seen from Figure 5, the outside of the outwardlyopening innerframe is not readily accessible for cleaning or maintenance from inside the building. When cleaning or maintenance is necessary, access is obtained by opening the intermediate frame, which opens into the building so that both sides of the innerframe, and its hinges, become accessible as can be seen in Figure 8.

Suitable weather seals are provided between the inner and intermediate frames and between intermediate and outer frames. The frames can be of any convenient contruction but are preferably assembled from aluminium extrusions. Thermal breaks and other desirable window design features can be incorporated as required.

The precise design and construction of the friction hinges is not crucial but the arrangements shown in Figures 3 to 8 have been found to be particularly satisfactory.

In the illustrated embodiment, the glazed inner frame occupies the entire area of the intermediate frame. This however is not essential. In an alternative arrangement, the intermediate frame may comprise oneormorefixed panes,withthetilting innerframe occupying only a portion ofthe area ofthe intermediate frame, for example the upper or lower end or an intermediate region of the intermediate frame. lnafurtherarrangement,twoormoreinner frames may be provided in the intermediate frame, hinged and mounted to open separately or in unison.

Similarly,theouterframemaycarryoneormore fixed panes in addition to the hinged intermediate frame, and/or it may carry two or more intermediate frames hinged about vertical axis to open inwards.

The locking mechanisms for the inner and intermediate frames can be of any convenient kind.

In the window illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, there are two separate conventional window locks, the first comprising a handle 6 on the outerframeforlocking the intermediate frame shut, and the second comprising a handle7ontheinnerframeforlocking the innerframe shut in the intermediate frame.

Alternatively particularly for buildings in which the intermediate frame is intended normally to remain shut,for example in upperfloors of buildings, the lockforthe intermediate frame may be of a type that requires a special tool or key to release it, so thatthe intermediate frame cannot be opened accidentally or by children.

In a further possible construction, a single composite locking mechanism is provided having multiple operative positions in which it respectively locks shutthe inner and intermediate frames, or releases one orthe other of these frames, according to the position of the lock handle. It is particularly convenient ifthe lock handlefor such a mechanism is provided on the innerframe so that it can be used to manipulatetheinnerframewhenthatisunlocked, orto manipulate the intermediateframewhen it is unlocked and the innerframe is locked.

Figures 9 to 14 show a second embodiment ofthe invention. In this, the static outer frame 11 accommodates an intermediate frame 12 which can tilt backwards and inwards on friction lever or linkage hinges 13which are connected between the vertical sides ofthe outer frame and the vertical sides ofthe intermediate frame at the lower region ofthe latter.

The lower part of the intermediate frame contains a fixed pane 14. The upper region ofthe intermediate frame accommodates an innerframe 15 which is glazed and forms an outwardly opening ventilating light as can be seen in Figure 10. This innerframe 15 is connected at its sides, to the vertical sides of the intermediate frame by friction lever or linkage hinges 1 6 so asto open outwards with a "pitch and pivot" action.

Suitable locking mechanism are provided for locking the intermediateframe 12 shut in the outer frame 11, and for locking the innerframe 15 shut in the intermediate frame 12. These may comprise separate independent locking mechanismsforthe individual frames, or a combination locking mechanism capable of locking or opening the inner and intermediate frames selectively according to the position ofthe locking mechanism.

In general the intermediate frame 12will normally be kept shut and therefore its locking mechanism may be such as to require a special tool or keyfor opening it.

The intermediate frame 12, when opened, permits access to the outer surface of the window panes and to the mechanism ofthe innerframe 15, for cleaning or maintenance when the intermediate frame 12 is tilted inwards as shown in Figure 11.

In an alternative arrangement, the outwardly opening inner frame may occupy the entire area of the inwardly opening intermediate frame.

The individual frames can be constructed in any convenient manner and of any convenient material, but are preferably assembled from aluminium extrusions, with suitable seals, weather sea Is, thermal breaks and so on.

In orderto reduce the numberofdifferent extrusion cross sections required, the aluminium extrusions may have a generallyT-shaped cross section for example as illustrated in Figure 17 ofthe drawings. This shows, schematically in cross section, the building wall 20 adjacent to the window opening; a static outerframe 21, an inwardly opening intermediate frame 22, an outwardly opening innerframe 23, and a pane of glass 24 in the innerframe (alternativelythis may be double glazed).

The outer and intermediate frames are made of extrusions with identical cross sections in the form oftheTwith a hollow stem, and with suitable detailing to accommodate seals. The Tsection of the outerframe locates against the building wall by means of its stem and one side flange while the other side flange provides a stop and seal barforthe intermediate frame. The intermediate frame locates and seals in the outerframe by resting against it as shown, the T sections being reversed relative to one another so that a side flange of each frame locates againstthe bottom of the stem of the otherframe.

Theotherflangeoftheintermediateframe provides inner location for the innerframe 23which also has an outerflangeto locate on the base ofthe step of the extrusion cross section of the intermediate frame 22. The illustrated inner frame 23 comprises extrusions of Z-cross section, with its innerflangeforming a glazing bar against which the glass is held by an external glazing bead 25, inner and outer PVC seals being provided between the glass and the innerflange and external bead.

Alternatively, the inner frame may also comprise T-sections extrusions identical to those of the outer and intermediate frames, with the glass located within one flange oftheT-section as an external glazing bar, the glass being retained by an internal glazing bead.

To interconnect the extrusions forming the frames, corner cleats can be provided with are secured by screws inserted through the extrusions and into the cleats.

The extrusions forming the frames may incorporate thermal breaks.

Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention, very schematically. In this embodiment, a static outerframe 30 supports and accommodates a hinged intermediate frame 31, which in turn supports and accommodates one or more sliding inner frames 32.

In the window illustrated in Figure 15, the inner frame (ofwhich there may be one or two) slides vertically in the intermediate frame 31, and the latter pivots about a vertical hinge 33 of any convenient design, in the static outer frame 30.

Figure 16 shows an alternative arrangement in which the innerframe orframes 32 can slide horizontally in the intermediate frame 31, and the latter pivots about a horizontal axis in the outter frame 30, by means of friction lever or linkage hinges 34 at the sides of these frames.

Both of these embodiments provide a combination of conventional sliding window operation, with the ability to open the intermediate frame inwards into the bu ilding, to give access to the outer surface of the glazing for cleaning, and access for maintenance.

Suitable locking mechanisms are provided for locking and manipulating the inner and intermediate frames.

The hinges can be butt hinges, friction hinges, or any other convenient form of hinge.

The sliding panes may together occupy the whole area of the intermediate frame; alternatively the intermediate frame can be partly closed by one or more fixed panes.

It will be seen that the described embodiments have the common feature of one or more inner frames providing normal opening and ventilation by sliding or by outward movement, in an intermediate frame which provides inward movement to give access for cleaning and maintenance in a static outer frame.

In yet another construction within the scope ofthe invention, the outwardly opening innerframe is hinged about a vertical axis at its side, relative to the inwardly opening intermediate frame.

Claims (12)

1. Awindow,comprising astaticouterframefor mounting in a building wall orthe like, an intermediate frame hinged to the static outerframe for movement between a closed position in which the intermediate frame is seated on or in the outer frame and an open position in which the intermediate frame is pivoted inwardly of the building or the like in which the window is installed, and an innerframe accommodated and supported by the intermediate frame and openable relative to the Iatterslidablyoroutwardlyofthe building orthe like in which the window is installed.

2. A window as claimed in claim 1 which comprises a static outer frame, an intermediate frame having one side hingedto one side ofthestatic outer frame for pivoting about a vertical axis, and an inner frame hinged to the intermediate frame for tilting relative to the latter.

3. Awindow as claimed in claim 2 in which the hinges are friction lever hinges.

4. Awindow as claimed in claim 1 which comprises a static outer frame, an intermediate frame within the outer frame, hinged to tilt inwards, and an innerframe within the intermediate frame, hinged on the intermediate frame to tilt outwards.

5. Awindow as claimed in claim 4 in which the hinges are friction lever hinges.

6. Awindowas claimed in claim 1 inwhichthe innerframe is slidable in the intermediate frame.

7. Awindowwhich comprises a static outer frame, an intermediate frame having one side hinged to one side of the static outerframefor pivoting about a vertical axis, and an innerframe hingedtotheintermediateframefortilting relativeto the latter.

8. A window which comprises a static outer frame, an intermediate frame within the outerframe, hinged to tilt inwards, and an innerframe within the intermediate frame, hinged on the intermediate frameto tilt outwards.

9. A window as claimed in claim 7 or8 in which the hinges are friction lever hinges.

10. Awindowasclalmed in any preceding claim in which the inner frame fills only part of the intermediate frame.

11. A window as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which at least two adjacent frames are made of T-section members so disposed that the T-sectionofonesuchframeisreversed relativeto the T-section of the adjacent such frame.

12. Awindow substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 8, Figures 9 to 14, or Figures 1 5 and 16 of the accompanying drawings.