GB2189830A

GB2189830A - Improvements in window mounting

Info

Publication number: GB2189830A
Application number: GB08605653A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Robert Oinn Bunce
Original assignee: BECLAWAT PLC
Current assignee: BECLAWAT PLC
Priority date: 1986-03-07
Filing date: 1986-03-07
Publication date: 1987-11-04
Also published as: GB8605653D0

Abstract

A window mounting assembly, in particular for a railway carriage, comprises a first frame portion (30) carrying double-glazing panels (32) and a second frame portion (31). The first frame portion (30) is inserted into an aperture in the carriage wall and attached to the outer carriage wall panel (10). The second frame portion (31) is inserted into the aperture and attached to the first frame portion (30). A finishing strip (39) hides the fixings (38) between the frame portions. The assembly provides a rigid framework within the aperture in a manner affording minimum preparation and simplicity of assembly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in window mountings This invention relates to a method and assembly for mounting a window in an aperture in a double-skinned wall having a pair of spaced apart wall panels.

The invention relates in particular, though not exclusively to railway carriage windows.

In a conventional railway carriage window mounting, the window unit with its frame is inserted from outside the carriage into an aperture in the carriage wall and secured to the outer wall panel. An inner trim is then inserted into the aperture from inside the carriage and fixed in position to finish off the inside of the window. To provide an anchorage for the trim fixing in this conventional mounting, a block or body of suitable material is inserted into the space between the wall panels. The conventional mounting has the disadvantage that it requires the addition of this further structural element to the carriage wall and assembly is a relatively skilled job.

According to the present invention there is provided an assembly for mounting a window in an aperture in a double-skinned wall having a pair of spaced apart wall panels, comprising a first frame portion which is engageable with one wall panel generally around the periphery of the aperture and which is attachable to said one wall panel, and a second frame portion which is engageable with the other wall panel generally around the periphery of the aperture and which is attachable to the first frame portion, the assembly providing a rigid framework within the aperture spanning between the wall panels.

The invention also provides a method of mounting a window assembly as defined in the preceding paragraph, which method comprises the steps of engaging the first frame portion with the said one wall panel generally around the periphery of the aperture and attaching the first frame portion to the first wall panel, engaging the second frame portion with the said other wall panel generally around the periphery of the aperture and attaching the second frame portion to the first frame portion.

In some cases, the carriage framework may not provide adequate support for the other wall panel in the vicinity of the aperture. In such cases, the second frame portion of the mounting assembly may further comprise means for locating the second wall panel to prevent lateral movement of the second wall panel.

The invention also provides a method of mounting a window assembly as defined above and including the feature mentioned in the preceding paragraph, which method comprises the steps of engaging the first frame portion with the said one wall panel generally around the periphery of the aperture and attaching the first frame portion to the first wall panel.

engaging the second frame portion to the first frame portion and attaching said frame portions together, and engaging the said other wall panel in the locating means in the second frame portion.

By way of example, embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional detail from a conventional window assembly, Figure 2 is a sectional detail from a window mounting assembly according to the present invention, and Figure 3 is a sectional detail from an alternative window mounting assembly according to the present invention.

A conventional window mounting for a railway carriage is seen in Fig. 1. The carriage wall is double-skinned, having outer and inner wall panels, 10 and 11 respectively, which are mounted on the carriage framework 12. The window unit in this conventional mounting comprises a pair of glazing panels 13 which are mounted in a frame 14 via a seal 15 and held in position by a retainer 16. The window in this conventional mounting is assembled by inserting the window unit from outside the carriage into an aperture in the carriage wall.

The frame 14 is attached by a flange 17 thereof to the outer wall panel 10 using suitable means, such as rivets or screws 18.

Next, the inside of the window is finished off by an inner trim 19. The inner trim 19 is inserted into the aperture from inside the carriage and a flange 20 thereof engages the inner panel 11. A seal 21 bridges the gap between the inside of the window unit and the inner trim 19. To anchor the inner trim 19 in position, a block or body 22 of suitable material is located between the carriage wall panels 10 and 11 in this conventional mounting and the trim is fixed to the block or body using suitable means such as screws 23.

Where the carriage framework 12 extends adjacent the aperture, as shown in Fig. 1, the block 22 can be a timber block resting on the framework, as shown. However, if the carriage framework 12 does not extend adjacent the aperture, there can be provided instead in this conventional mounting an integral moulded body which locates between the carriage wall panels 10, 11 around the aperture. This provides support for the wall panels 10, 11 as well as an anchorage for the inner trim 19.

These conventional carriage window mountings have the disadvantages of needing the addition of additional structural elements such as the block or body to the carriage wall and requiring a relatively high degree of skill for assembly.

One form of window mounting assembly ac cording to the present invention is seen in Fig.

2. The window is for a railway carriage in this example, although it will be appreciated that the assembly is suitable for other applications where there is a double skinned wall. The outer and inner carriage wall panels are indicated by 10 and 11 as before, and the carriage framework adjacent the aperture by 12, as before.

The window mounting assembly here comprises first and second frame portions 30 and 31, conveniently of extruded metal section. A pair of glazing panels 32 are mounted in conventionally known manner in the first frame portion 30. There may of course be only a single glazing panel 32. The first frame portion 30 is inserted from outside the carriage into the aperture in the carriage wall with a flange 33 thereof lapping against the outer wall panel 10. The first frame portion 30 is then attached to the outer wall panel 10 by its flange 33, using suitable means such as rivets or screws 34. From the inside of the carriage, there is then inserted into the aperture the second frame portion 31, with a flange 35 thereof lapping against the inner wall panel 11.A section 36 of the second frame portion 31 is designed to lie adjacent a section 37 of the first frame portion 30, as seen in Fig. 2, so that the two frame portions can be attached together, using suitable means such as screws or rivets 38, to form a rigid framework within the aperture, spanning the gap between the wall panels 10, 11. In this example, the second frame portion 31 overlies the first frame portion 30 and includes means to receive a snap-fitting finishing strip 39 which hides the fixings 38. The finishing strip 39 takes up any variation which there may be in the overall width of the carriage wall. The holes for the fixings 38 can conveniently be drilled on site, optionally through prepared holes in the second frame portion 31.It will be appreciated that the sides from which the frame portions are inserted into the aperture and fixed in position may be varied from that described above. For example, the first frame portion 30 may be inserted from inside the carriage and the second frame from outside.

In addition, or alternatively, the glazing panel or panels may be provided on the second frame portion or glazing panels may be provided on both frame portions.

An alternative window mounting assembly is seen in Fig. 3. In this case, the carriage framework 12 is such that it is able to provide little or no support for the inner wall panel 11 in the vicinity of the aperture. An alternative form of second frame portion 31' is accordingly provided, the second frame portion 31' here comprising a channel 40 for receiving and providing lateral support for the inner wall panel 11. The second frame portion 31' is again conveniently of extruded metal section. A resilient member 41 locates the inner wall panel 11 resiliently within the channel 40. The first frame portion 30 is assembled as before by insertion into the aperture and attachment to the outer wall panel 10.Next, the second frame portion 31' is engaged with the first frame portion 30 and the frame portions are attached together, by suitable means such as screws 42, forming a rigid framework within the aperture. The inner wall panel 11 is then slid into position, as indicated by arrow 43, locating the edge of the inner wall panel in the channel 40 of the second frame portion 31'. This means, of course, that the inner wall panel 11 has to be provided in a number of sections around the aperture in order that each can be slid into engagement in the channel 40. Using such separate inner wall sections, the joints betwen adjacent wall panel sections may be hidden by suitable finishing strips. It will be noted that they variation in the overall width of the carriage wall is taken up by the resilient location in the channel 40.

The attachment of the frame portions here is in a fixed position, which means that the holes for the fixings 42 can be pre-prepared.

Again, a suitable snap-fitting finishing strip 39 hides the fixings. In this alternative assembly, there is additionally provided thermaly insulating material 44 between the two frame portions 30 and 31'. This provides a thermal barrier between the two frame portions. The material 44 is conveniently in the form of a strip which is shaped so as to be self-locating. The strip 44 have locates on the first frame portion 30. A thermal barrier may of course also be provided for the assembly described with reference to Fig. 2. Again, it will be appreciated that the window mounting may be assembled from different slides to those described, and that the mounting of the glazing panels may be varied.

An advantage of the window mounting assemblies according to the invention as described above is that a rigid framework is provided in the aperture with only one fixing to the carriage wall. This simplifies assembly and avoids the need for additional structural elements.

Claims

1. An assembly for mounting a window in an aperture in a double-skinned wall having a pair of spaced apart wall panels, comprising a first frame portion which is engageable with one wall panel generally around the periphery of the aperture and which is attachable to said one wall panel, and a second frame portion which is engageable with the other wall panel generally around the periphery of the aperture and which is attachable to the first frame portion, the assembly providing a rigid framework within the aperture spanning between the wall panels.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first frame portion is engaged with and attached to said one wall panel from the side of the wall on the side of said one wall panel.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the second frame portion is engaged with the said other wall panel and attached to the first frame portion from the side of the wall on the side of said other wall panel.

4. An assembly as claimd in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein at least one window panel is mounted in at least one of the frame portions.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the window has one or two window panels and the or both window panels are mounted in the first frame portion.

6. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first and second frame portions are attached together via thermally insulating material which forms a thermal barrier therebetween.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the thermal barrier is mounted on the first frame portion.

8. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second frame portion comprises means for locating the second wall panel to prevent lateral movement of the second wall panel.

9. An assembly for mounting a window in an aperture in a double-skinned wall substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of mounting a window assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the steps of: engaging the first frame portion with the said one wall panel generally around the periphery of the aperture and attaching the first frame portion to the first wall panel, engaging the second frame portion with the said other wall panel generally around the periphery of the aperture and attaching the second frame portion to the first frame portion.

11. A method of mounting a window assembly as claimed in claim 8, comprising the steps of: engaging the first frame portion with the said one wall panel generally around the periphery of the aperture and attaching the first frame portion to the first wall panel.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the first frame portion is engaged from the side of the wall on the side of said one wall panel.

13. A method as claimed in claim 10, claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the second frame portion is engaged from the side of the wall on the side of the said other wall panel.

14. A method of mounting a window assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.