GB2289708A

GB2289708A - Glazing strip for doors

Info

Publication number: GB2289708A
Application number: GB9516860A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Wright Edwards
Original assignee: INTRON Ltd
Current assignee: INTRON Ltd
Priority date: 1992-05-30
Filing date: 1993-05-25
Publication date: 1995-11-29
Anticipated expiration: 2013-05-25
Also published as: GB9516860D0; GB2289708B

Abstract

A glazing strip 19 for a door having external skins 12, 13 and a foam pad 14 disposed between the skins, comprises a body 20 defining a channel 21 for receiving the skin 12, an anchor element 22 for penetrating the foam and a retaining means 23 for engaging the surface of a sheet of glass or the like. The glazing strip can be used in a door comprising a frame formed from top and bottom elements of structural foam which overlie timber upright side element and having a pair of skins 12 and 13, a thermally insulated panel 14 and glass panel. The skins 12, 13 and panel 14 are formed with decorative formations so that the skins 12, 13 can be nested with the panel 14 for ease of manufacture and structural support. <IMAGE>

Description

Doors and Methods of Forming Doors This invention relates to doors and door frames and methods of forming them.

From one aspect the invention consists in a glazing strip for a door having external skins and a foam panel disposed between the skins, comprising a body defining a channel for receiving the skin, an anchor element for penetrating the foam and a retaining means for engaging the surface of a sheet of glass or the like.

In this case the anchor element may form one wall of the channel.

From another aspect the invention consists in a method of forming a generally rectangular frame of a door comprising connecting top and bottom elements of structural foam to timber upright elements such that the top and bottom elements overlie the ends of the uprights.

In this case the method may further comprise disposing a panel of thermally insulating material within the frame and the top and bottom elements may be formed integrally with that panel.

From a still further aspect the invention consists in a door including a generally rectangular frame having timber upright elements and structural foam top and bottom elements, wherein the top and bottom elements overlie the ends of the uprights.

In this case the door may further include a thermally insulating panel disposed within the frame and, in one example, the top and bottom elements may be integral with the panel. The door may further comprise skins attached to either side of the frame; the skin may be thermoplastic and at least one skin may be vacuum formed with a non-planar feature. In this case the panel may be formed with the corresponding feature which nests with the feature on the skin.

Although the invention has been defined above it is to be understood that it includes any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the following description.

The invention may be performed in various ways and specific embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a horizonal section incorporating a door having a glazed panel; Figure 2 is an enlarged detail at A of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an alternative form of door frame for use with Figure 1; and Figure 4 is an enlarged scrap cross-sectional view through one edge of a glazed door.

A door is generally indicated at 10 and comprises a timber frame 11, a pair of skins 12 and 13, affixed to respective sides of the frame 11, a thermally insulating panel 14 disposed within the frame between the skins and a glass panel 15.

As can be seen from Figure 1 the skins are formed with appropriate formations 16 to define a decorative aperture 17 to receive the glass panel 15. The thermally insulating panel 14 is correspondingly shaped so that it generally supports the skins 12, 13 both in their planar sections and in their moulded sections.

It will be understood that the features shown on the skins in the drawing are purely examples and that a whole series of panels and mouldings could be formed according to the visual effect desired. Whatever features are formed on the skins, corresponding features will be moulded on the panels.

This construction has a considerable manufacturing advantage, because the moulded thermally insulating panel 14 can be precisely located within the frame 11 prior to the application and affixing of the skins to the frame 11. The panel 14 accordingly provides a former on which the skins can be accurately located, by nesting the features, with the result that the manufacturing process can be considerably speeded up and the number of rejects reduced.

Further the correspondance between the shape of the skins 12, 13 and the panel 14 means that the skins are fully supported and damage due to the skins being knocked will be considerably reduced.

Returning to the specific construction shown in Figure 1 it will be noted that the glass panel 15 is held on one side against lips 17 defined by the skin 13. Conveniently the glass panel 15 may be attached to the lips 17 by double sided adhesive tape 18. On the other side the glass panel 15 is held by a glazing strip 19.

The strip 19 consists of an extruded integral body 20 which defines a channel 21 for receiving the skin 12, a pointed anchor element 22 which locks in to the panel 14 and a retaining element 23 which engages the glass panel 15 to retain it. The provision of the body 20 not only helps to prevent the glazing strip being sprung out, but it also provides a good weather seal.

The skins 12, 13 are conveniently formed from vacuum moulded extruded thermo-plastic sheet. This material can be planed with the timber and is weather resistant. The panel 14 is preferably moulded foam and has a high density for the reasons set out above.

An alternative form of frame 11 is shown in Figure 3.

In this case the uprights 24, 25 are made of timber, whilst the top and bottom elements 26, 27 are made of structural foam. This arrangement combines flexibility of the timber frame with the high rot resistance of structural foam. It will be particularly noted that the foam covers the vulnerable ends of the uprights 24 and 25. As has been mentioned before the whole frame could be made of appropriate structural foam and could then be entirely integral with the panel.

In one construction the elements 26 and 27 may be formed integrally with the panel 14. This allows particularly accurate manufacture, reduces the number of components and also reduces the number of assembly stages.

Figure 4 illustrates an alternative glazing system.

As before the door 10 has a frame (not shown), a pair of skins 12 and 13, affixed to respective sides of the frame, a panel 14 disposed within the frame between the skins 12, 13 and a glass panel 15.

A glazing system generally indicated at 28 comprises a glazing member 29 and a glazing or locking clip 30. The member has a main body portion 31 which extends along the edge of an aperture 32 defined by appropriate forming or cutting of the skins 12, 13. The main body portion defines a location 33 for the glazing clip 30 and a projecting seat 34 for receiving the glass panel 15. Each of the clip 30 and seat 34 carried rubber gaskets 35 for seating against the glass. The glazing clip has a resilient anchor or leg 36 for engaging in the location 33.

In manufacture, the first skin 12 is laid down. The frame is then attached and the panel 14 located. The member 29 is nested and glued into a profile 37 on the first skin, the profile of which it substantially matches. The second skin is then adhered to the frame 11 and member 29. Before or after these steps, the skins 12, 13 are cut at skin cuts 38, 39 to define the aperture 32. The glass panel 15 is then located on the seat 34 and the clip 30 is engaged in the location 33 to trap the glass panel 15 against the seat 34. Conventional glazing spacers 40 are used to locate the edges of the panel 15 in the usual manner. Corresponding members 29 are preferably located around the other sides of the aperture 32 but alternative appropriate glazing systems may be used.

Corner pieces 41 may be used to interconnect main body portions 31 and, optionally a drain hole 42 and cover 43 may be used.

Claims

1. A glazing strip for a door having external skins and a foam pad disposed between the skins, comprising a body defining a channel for receiving the skin, an anchor element for penetrating the foam and a retaining means for engaging the surface of a sheet of glass or the like.

2. A method of forming a generally rectangular frame of door comprising connecting top and bottom elements of structural foam to timber upright elements such that the top and bottom elements overlie the ends of the uprights.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, further comprising disposing a panel of thermally insulating material within the frame and wherein the top and bottom elements are formed integrally with that panel.

4. A door including a generally rectangular frame having timber upright elements and structural foam top and bottom elements, wherein the top and bottom elements overlie the ends of the uprights.

5. A door as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the door further comprises a thermally insulated panel.

6. A door as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the panel is integral with the top and bottom elements.

7. A door as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 6, further comprising skins attached to either side of the frame.

8. A door as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the panel and skin have a corresponding non-planar feature which nest with each other.