GB2210092A

GB2210092A - Cladding a window frame

Info

Publication number: GB2210092A
Application number: GB8820566A
Authority: GB
Inventors: M Jan Wikstr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-09-21
Filing date: 1988-08-31
Publication date: 1989-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 2008-08-31
Also published as: DE3828024A1; SE8703645L; DK524988A; DK524988D0; GB8820566D0; SE458784B; GB2210092B; SE8703645D0

Description

1 - 22'1 OU -92 1

DESCRIPTION APPARATUS FOR CLADDING A WINDOW CASEMENT AND/OR FRAME

The present invention relates to apparatus for cladding a window casement andlor frame and in particular, but not exclusively, is related to apparatus for cladding a window frame or casement manufactured of plastic sections.

At present, window frames and casements are generally formed of wood or lightweight metal sections which may include cladding formed of special strips to protect the sections against the damaging effect of moisture or corrosion. For example, a lightweight section is fastened to a window with the aid of plastic devices which are screwed onto the frame, and thus acts so as to protect the frame against the damaging effect of moisture.

Windows having frames and casements manufactured of plastic sections have been produced in recent years with the aim of achieving a maintenancefree design. Plastic has advantages compared with wood or metal since it is not damaged by moisture which accounts for the greatest damag e suffered by window casements and frames. Furthermore, plastic casements and frames are generally -2lighter and easier to manufacture than non-plastic types. However, plastic is sensitive to temperature and its properties may change if it is exposed to strong sunlight. This is particularly true if the plastic frames or casements are made of dark coloured plastic. It has also been shown that plastic is not temperature resistant. If it is subjected to temperatures around 40-60 OC, over a lengthy period of time, there is a risk of the plastic being deformed. A window casement manufactured of plastic which is installed in a south facing wall and so exposed to solar radiation, absorbs heat which in certain cases, for example, if the plastics colour is darker than white, can subject the casement to temperatures in the region of 70-800C and thus deform the plastic. Such deformation is particularly disadvantageous since it may affect the tight fit of the window casement or frame and thus promote the penetration of water andlor draughts through a c'LosaU.. ' window.

The present invention seeks to provide cladding apparatus which can be readily mounted on the window casement andlor frame and in particular apparatus which eliminates the above mentioned disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is J 1 provided apparatus for cladding a window casement andlor frame comprising at least one cladding strip and a plurality of attachment devices for attaching said strip to the casement and/or frame by way of openings in the casement or frame, wherein the side of the cladding strip which is adapted to face the window casement or window frame comprises at least one longitudinal groove, having a lip extending over each side of the groove, the side edge regions of the strip are bent so as to extend over and cover corresponding side edges of the casement and/or frame, and each of the plurality of attachment devices comprises a neck extending from a flat head, which head is adapted to be received in said groove and retained therein by the lips thereof so as to slide along the length of said groove as required and the neck is adapted to snap into any of said openings, and further, a spacer collar is located adjacent the flat head and around the neck of an attachment device, so that the outer surface of the lips are adapted to abut against the spacer collar so as to achieve an insulating air layer between the strip and the window casement and/or the window frame.

The snapping-on devices are designed with spacers, 1 such that they form a layer of air between the strip and the casement or frame, which layer ensures that the casement or frame is protected from exposure to high temperatures.

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 illustrates a window as viewed from the outside of the building of which the window forms part; Fig. 2 illustrates one side of one embodiment of a cladding strip according to the present invention; Fig. 3 illustrates a cross-section along the line A-A of Fig. 2, with the cladding strip of Fig. 2 attached to a plastic window frame; Fig. 4 illustrates one side of another embodiment of a cladding strip according to the present invention; Fig. 5 shows a cross-section along the line B-B of Fig. 4, with the cladding strip of Fig. 4 attached to a window casement; and Fig. 6 shows, to a larger scale, a cross-section through one embodiment of a snapping-on device of Figs. 2 to 5.

The window illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a frame 10 and a casement 12 formed of plastic material. If the c :k plastic material is white, the heat absorption is less and, consequently, the risk of deformation is reduced, particularly in cold climates. If, however, the casement and frame are provided in a colour other than white, the risk of deformation will increase. The apparatus of the present invention acts so as to prevent this deformation. The protecting cladding strip can then be painted in the desired colour without risk of deformation or change in the plastic material.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, a cladding strip 13 comprising a lightweight metal is, on its side facing the frame, provided with a plurality of grooves 14. In particular the strip 13 of Fig. 2 has two such grooves. Snapping-on devices or plugs 15 are inserted in these grooves. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the snapping-on devices or plugs 15 comprise a substantially flat circular head 15A which is intended to slot into one of the grooves 14 and be retained therein by way of flange edges 16 which project into channels formed along each side of the groove. The snapping-on devices or plugs 15 can thus be inserted into, and displaced along the longitudinal axis of, the grooves of the strip 13. The snapping-on device or plug 15 has an elongate tapering shaft 15B extending from the head 15A whose diameter is less than the minimum separation of the groove edges 16. The tapering shaft 15B of the snapping-on device 15 is adapted to be flexible in a radial direction.

When the cladding strip 13 is to be attached to the frame 10, a plurality of holes 17 are provided in the frame 10 with a substantially uniform distribution along its length. A plurality of snapping-on devices 15 or plugs, which correspond to the holes 17, are then inserted in the groove 14. Thus equipped, the snappingon devices or plugs 15 are press-fitted into the holes 17 against the resilience of the shaft 15b of the snappingon devices 15 so that the strip 13 is snapped into position on the frame 10. Further, the snapping-on devices or plugs 15 are provided with a spring-action spacing collar 15C located between the head 15A and shaft 15B, so as to ensure that the strip 13 is not in direct contact with the frame 10.

The strip illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 is for use for cladding window frames. An alternative embodiment of strip, which is more suitable for window casements, is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. According to this alternative embodiment, the strip 13' is equipped with only one groove 141. The design of the strip 131 and J the design of the snapping-on device or plug 15' which interacts therewith are similar to those illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

The difference between the strip design for the frame and casement is illustrated by comparison of Figs. 3 and 5. In addition to the fact that the number of grooves differ, both of the side edges 18 on the frame strip 13 are bent so that they project over both the side edges of the frame, while only one side 181 of the 10. casement strip 13' is so bent. This adaption allows for opening and closing of the window.

As a result of the fact that the snapping-on devices or plugs 15,15' can be displaced along the longitudinal axis of the strip grooves 14,141 without falling out, the strip 13,13' can likewise be displaced in relation to the casement or frame, when the snappingon devices or plugs 15,151 have been snapped into position. With four full length strips for the window casement or window frame snapped into position, they act so as to retain each other in position, and the end edges may be advantageously bevelled.

Fig. 6 illustrates the snapping-on device or plug 151 of Figs. 4 and 5 in further detail but may equally -8apply to the snapping-on device or plug of Figs. 2 and 3.

The invention permits the use of maintenance-free plastic window casements and frames without any limitations with regard to the choice of colour. It is also possible to clad windows which include protective strips, without needing to remove the window.

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Claims

1. Apparatus for cladding a window casement andlor frame comprising at least one cladding strip and a plurality of attachment devices for attaching said strip to the casement andlor frame by way of openings in the casement or frame, wherein the side of the cladding strip which is adapted to face the window casement or window frame comprises at least one longitudinal groove, having a lip extending over each side of the groove, side edge regions of the groove are bent so as to extend over and cover corresponding side edges of the casement and/or frame, and each of the plurality of attachment devices comprises a neck extending from a flat head, which head is adapted to be received in said groove and retained therein by the lips thereof so as to slide along the length of said groove as required and the nick is adapted to snap into any of said openings, and further a spacer collar is located adjacent the flat head and around the neck of an attachment device, so that the outer surface of the lips are adapted to abut against the spacer collar so as to achieve an insulating air layer between the strip and the window casement andlor the window frame.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein either of the window casements or window frames comprises a plastic casement or frame.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the strip is formed of lightweight metal.

4. Apparatus for cladding a window casement andlor frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3 and Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

11 Published 1988 at The Patent Office. StwA House. 66 71 High Holborn. London WC1R 4TP. Purther copies may be obtained from The Patent Office, Sales Branch, St Mary Cray. Orpington, Kent ERS WRI) Printed by MUltIpleX technIques ltd. St Mary Cray, Kent. Con. 1187.