GB2301136A

GB2301136A - Component for mounting door or window frames into apertures

Info

Publication number: GB2301136A
Application number: GB9607973A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Hardy
Original assignee: LB Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: LB Plastics Ltd
Priority date: 1995-04-21
Filing date: 1996-04-17
Publication date: 1996-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2016-04-17
Also published as: GB2301136B; GB9607973D0; GB9508131D0

Abstract

A window or door frame 15 is adapted for fitting in a previously formed checked reveal opening in a cavity wall of a building or the like, by fitting components 25 to at least the two sides of the frame. The frame is initially of a size to pass through both the larger and the smaller openings of the checked reveal, and the components comprise an elongated body member having attachment means 26, 27 enabling it to be connected to the window or door frame to increase the size of the frame so that it can pass into the larger but not the smaller opening of the checked reveal. Each component incorporates an abutment portion 28 adapted to engage the step between the larger and smaller openings of the checked reveal to locate the frame in the correct position relative to the wall cavity, and a closure portion 29 adapted to extend across but not into the wall cavity to form a cavity closure. A cleat 35 in the form of an elongated strip engages in a recess of component 15 by which the assembly may be mounted to the inner wall 8.

Description

WINDOWS, DOORS AND WINDOW AND DOOR COMPONENTS The present invention relates to the mounting of windows and doors in openings in buildings and to components for such purpose. While the invention is equally applicable to both windows and doors, reference will be made hereafter primarily to windows.

Modern buildings are commonly of cavity wall construction incorporating an outer and an inner wall with a cavity between them. When windows and doors are mounted in openings in such buildings, it is necessary not only to secure the window or door in the opening, but also to close the cavity between the inner and outer walls around the periphery of the window or door.

Increasingly window and door openings are constructed with a so-called "checked reveal" whereby at least the width of the opening in the inner wall is larger than that in the outer wall thus producing a step between them against which window and door frames may abut.

Checked reveal openings have benefits in terms of weather-proofing compared with conventional constructions where the openings in the inner and outer walls are of the same overall size.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means whereby the same window or door frame may be readily adapted to fit into conventional openings or checked reveal openings dependent on requirements.

The invention provides a component for adapting a window or door frame for fitting in a previously formed checked reveal opening in a cavity wall of a building or the like, the frame being of a size to pass through both the larger and the smaller openings of the checked reveal, the component comprising an elongated body member having attachment means enabling it to be connected to at least the side uprights of the window or door frame to increase the size of the frame so that it can pass into the larger but not the smaller opening of the checked reveal, the component incorporating an abutment portion adapted to engage the step between the larger and smaller openings of the checked reveal whereby to locate the frame in the correct position relative to the wall cavity, and a closure portion adapted to extend across but not into the wall cavity to form a cavity closure.

Preferably the component also includes locating means for an anchoring member by means of which the component and hence the frame may be anchored in position in the opening.

Preferably said attachment means comprises a longitudinally extending projection adapted for engagement in a complimentary recess formed in the side uprights of the frame.

Advantageously said projection may incorporate retaining means operable to engage complimentary retaining means in said complimentary recess, whereby to resist disengagement of the component from the frame.

A pair of spaced parallel projections in the form of longitudinally extending ribs may be provided, each having outwardly-directed hook formations adapted to engage with complimentary inwardly-directed hook formations on the opposite side walls of a channel formed in and extending longitudinally of the side upright of the frame.

The abutment portion preferably comprises a flat face adapted to contact the projecting portions of the smaller opening of the checked reveal to define and limit the position of the frame in the wall opening.

The abutment portion may incorporate a longitudinally extending recess adapted to accomodate a weather seal.

Said closure portion preferably also comprises a flat surface of the component adapted to extend across and close the wall cavity when said abutment portion is in engagement with the checked reveal.

Said anchoring member preferably comprises a cleat member adapted for attachment at one end to said locating means so as to project laterally from the component to overlie a portion of the adjacent inner wall structure to which it may be attached by screws or other fixing means. The locating means may be connected to the component by screwing or by engagement of a projection on the anchoring member within a recess formed in the component.

Preferably the component is formed from synthetic plastics material and the anchoring member from metal.

The invention also comprises a window or door frame adapted for location in a checked reveal opening in a building or the like, the frame having components as aforesaid connected to at least the opposite side members of the frame.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a horizontal cross-section through a window mounted in a checked reveal opening in a building and fitted with attachment components according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-section of part of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 ; and Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a window 5 mounted in an opening in a wall 6 of a building or the like. The wall is of cavity construction having an outer wall 7 and an inner wall 8 separated by a cavity 9. Conventionally the outer wall 7 is constructed of brick and the inner wall 8 of building blocks. As shown the edges of the opening in the inner wall are defined by building blocks having inwardly directed end formations 10 which partially close the wall cavity 9.

The bricks forming the outer wall 7 project beyond the building blocks 8 at the opposite sides of the opening 6 thus producing a so-called checked reveal in which the opening in the inner wall is wider than that in the outer wall, the projecting portions of the bricks forming the outer wall defining projecting abutment surfaces 7A at the opposite sides of the opening.

The construction of the opening differs at the top and bottom. A lintel is fitted at the top of the opening and inner and outer sills at the bottom. The stepped construction of the checked reveal is therefore present at the sides only.

The window 5 incorporates an outer frame formed from top, bottom and side frame components 15 of extruded plastics construction. A double glazing unit 16 is retained in engagement with abutment portions 17 of the frame by glazing beads 18. The outer surfaces of the frame components 15 are provided with a pair of longitudinally extending channels 19 and 20 and a central recess 21 described in more detail hereafter.

A pair of elongated extruded plastics components 25 are connected one to each side of the frame 15, one of the components being shown in greater detail in Fig.

2 of the drawings. The component incorporates a pair of outwardly directed, longitudinally extending ribs 26 having laterally projecting hook members 27 at their ends which engage with complimentary formations 20A in the channel 20 of the frame member 15 and serve to attach the component 25 to the frame member. An end face 28 of the component 25 forms an abutment member which contacts the projecting portions 7A of the bricks forming the outer wall 7. Portions of the outer surface 29 of the component 25 extend across the narrow cavity 9A which remains between the inner and outer walls around the window opening and thus close the cavity.

The portion 30 of the component 25 adjacent to the projecting ribs 26 locates within the central recess 21 of the frame 15.

A cleat 35 in the form of an elongated metal strip is provided with a hooked end 36 adapted to engage in a recess 37 formed in the component 25, the cleat projecting laterally beyond the window frame and being provided with holes 38 by means of which it can be secured to the inner wall 8 by fixing means 39. A plurality of fixing cleats 35 are positioned at spaced intervals along the length of each of the components 25 in order to secure the components, and thus the window frame, in position in the window opening.

Fig. 3 shows a modified form of component 25 which is connected to the window frame in the same manner as the component shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but has a flat outer surface 29 to which cleat members 35 in the form of flat bars are fitted by means of screws inserted at 40, the cleats being secured to the inner wall 8 in the same manner as shown in Fig. 2. The component 25 of Fig. 3 incorporates a modified abutment face 28 including a longitudinally extending recess 28A in which a flexible sealing member (not shown) may be accommodated. Fig. 3 also shows additional sealing means 41 engaged in the outer channel 19 of the frame 15. In this case the portion 30 of the component 25, although locating within the central recess in the frame 15, does not completely fill it.The component 25 is constructed such that the portion 30 corresponds in width to the narrowest channel 21 of a range of window frames to which the component 25 may be fitted, so that it completely fills the channel of the smallest size of frame, but is of lesser width than that of the channel in other cases.

In fitting a window in place, the components 25 are first connected to the side frame members of the window by engaging the projecting ribs 26 in the channels 20 of the side frames. The cleats 35 are attached to the components 25 previously or subsequent to fitting, and the window is then presented to the opening from the interior of the building. The frame may be moved forwardly until the abutment portions 28 of the components 25 contact the projecting portions 7A of the outer wall 7 at the opposite sides of the opening.

This locates the window in the correct position relative to the inner and outer walls and central cavity as shown in the drawings. In this position the abutment portions of the components 25 contact the projecting inner surfaces of the outer wall, and portions of the outer faces of the components 25 close the narrowed cavity 9A between the inner and outer walls. Once abutment takes place the cleats are secured to the inner wall 8 by the fixings 39, thus holding the frame firmly in position.

It should be appreciated that the window frame prior to fitting of the components 25 is of such construction that it may be readily inserted into a window opening which is not of the checked reveal type.

By virtue of the components 25 the window may be easily and quickly adapted to fit a checked reveal opening and the components 25 serve not only to provide appropriate abutment and positioning of the frame, but close the cavity and provide anchorages for the cleats or other attachment means by means of which the frame is secured in position.

Once the frame is finally located in position and secured by the fastenings 39, the internal walls are cladded in the conventional manner by means of plasterboards and/or plaster to provide a layer 45 which conceals the cleats, the fixings 39 and the exposed inner surfaces of the components 25 from view from within the building.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the cross-sectional shape and size of the attachment components may be varied, they may be attached to the window or door frame in a different manner and the cleats or other fixing means may be connected to the components by means other than those shown. Moreover while reference has been made herein primarily to window frames, components of the kind described are equally suitable for attachment to door frames which require to be fitted in checked reveal openings.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A component for adapting a window or door frame for fitting in a previously formed checked reveal opening in a cavity wall of a building or the like, the frame being of a size to pass through both the larger and the smaller openings of the checked reveal, the component comprising an elongated body member having attachment means enabling it to be connected to at least the side uprights of the window or door frame to increase the size of the frame so that it can pass into the larger but not the smaller opening of the checked reveal, the component incorporating an abutment portion adapted to engage the step between the larger and smaller openings of the checked reveal whereby to locate the frame in the correct position relative to the wall cavity, and a closure portion adapted to extend across but not into the wall cavity to form a cavity closure.

2. A component according to claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises a longitudinally extending projection adapted for engagement in a complimentary recess formed in the side uprights of the frame.

3. A component according to claim 2 wherein said projection incorporates retaining means operable to engage complimentary retaining means in said complimentary recess, whereby to resist disengagement of the component from the frame.

4. A component according to claim 3 including a pair of spaced, parallel, projections in the form of longitudinally - extending ribs, each of said projections having outwardly - directed hook formations adapted to engage with complimentary inwardly - directed hook formations on the opposite side walls of a channel formed in and extending longitudinally of the side upright of the frame.

5. A component according to any preceding claim wherein said abutment portion comprises a flat face adapted to contact the projecting portions of the smaller opening of the checked reveal to define and limit the position of the frame in the wall opening.

6. A component according to claim 5 wherein said abutment portion incorporates a longitudinally extending recess adapted to accomodate a weather seal.

7. A component according to any preceding claim wherein said closure portion comprises a flat surface of the component adapted to extend across and close the wall cavity when said abutment portion is in engagement with the checked reveal.

8. A component according to any preceding claim including locating means for an anchoring member by means of which the component and hence the frame may be anchored in position in the opening.

9. A component according to claim 8 wherein said anchoring member comprises a cleat member adapted for attachment at one end to said locating means so as to project laterally from the component to overlie a portion of the adjacent inner wall structure to which it may be attached by screws or other fixing means.

10. A component according to claim 9 wherein said anchoring member is adapted to be connected to the component by screws or like fixing means.

11. A component according to claim 9 wherein said locating means comprises a recess formed in the component and said anchoring member is provided with a projection adapted for engagement in said recess.

12. A component according to any of claims 8 to 11 wherein the component is formed from plastics material and said anchoring member from metal.

13. A component for adapting a window or door frame for fitting in a checked reveal substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A component for adapting a window or door frame for fitting in a checked reveal substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A window or door frame adapted for location in a checked reveal opening in a building or the like, the frame having components according to any preceding claim connected to at least the opposite side members of the frame.

16. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.