GB2302123A

GB2302123A - Simulated double-sliding sash window

Info

Publication number: GB2302123A
Application number: GB9611694A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ernest Malcolm Heywood Scholes
Original assignee: Scholes Ernest M H
Current assignee: Scholes Ernest M H
Priority date: 1995-06-09
Filing date: 1996-06-05
Publication date: 1997-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 2016-06-05
Also published as: GB9511743D0; GB9611694D0; GB2302123B

Abstract

The window assembly has frame members made of extruded material and simulates the appearance of a window, in which two separate rectangular glazed units are capable of sliding vertically or horizontally. In one embodiment the assembly comprises: a fixed rectangular outer frame having a transom; a first glazed unit 14 hingedly mounted in the upper window aperture; and a second glazed unit 15 fixedly mounted in the lower window aperture and having a top horizontal frame member which forms at least part of the transom; the second glazed unit 15 is in-set relative to the first glazed unit 14 by an amount sufficient to make it appear that the units could be slid up and down one in front of the other; and is characterised in that the outwardly facing side of the rectangular outer frame includes decorative elongate beads 17, 18 extending along the upper horizontal frame member and the two side frame members of the fixed frame to define simulated guide tracks.

Description

WINDOW ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a window assembly of the type having frame members made of extruded material and intended to simulate the appearance of a double sliding sash type window.

A double hung sliding sash type of window assembly of traditional design has been made of timber, and comprises a fixed rectangular outer frame which is mounted in a window opening in a building, and upper and lower moveable window frames slidably mounted in the fixed outer frame for vertical movement, one in front of the other. Usually, the upper window frame is set forwardly of the lower window frame (when they are in the closed position), and each frame may move up and down in a respective vertical plane which is defined by "guides" or socalled "staff beads" mounted on the fixed outer frame.

When the moveable window frames are in their closed positions, the lower horizontal frame member of the upper frame is located adjacent to the upper horizontal frame member of the lower frame, and they can be locked together in this position by locking catches known per s which lock the frame members together against relative vertical movement.

Often, decorative "horns" are formed on downward prolongations of the vertical frame members of the upper window frame i.e. they project downwardly of the lower horizontal frame member of the upper frame, and serve to limit the extent of downward sliding movement of the upper window frame by engaging with the horizontal lower member of the fixed outer frame. By this means, the upper window frame can only be lowered a limited distance, so that the upper horizontal frame member of the upper window frame cannot descend to a level below that of the upper horizontal frame member of the lower window frame (when the latter is in its closed position). This facilitates subsequent gripping and raising of the lowered upper window frame, and which may not otherwise be possible if the upper window frame should be permitted to be lowered too far.

The use of extruded window frame sections, and especially of UPVC, has been substantial and goes back a considerable number of years in Germany, and other European countries, but has started somewhat later on a commercial basis in Great Britain, and it is only in recent years that large volumes of UPVC window sections have been used in this country, both as original fittings in new buildings, and also in the "replacement" window market.

However, it appears that the purchasing public in Great Britain is somewhat conservative, and rather than recognising that UPVC is a totally new material for use in building (and which therefore may be entitled to develop its own distinctive style), there is a strong customer demand for UPVC window styles which are required to resemble existing timber window styles as much as possible.

The present invention seeks to meet this customer demand, and particularly in relation to simulation of traditional sliding sash type windows as referred to above.

In one aspect, the invention is applied to a window assembly of extruded material having a fixed outer rectangular frame, and an upper open-out top hung window frame and a lower fixed window frame both mounted in the fixed outer frame, in which the lower fixed window frame is located in a plane which is spaced or in-set relative to the plane in which the upper window frame (when closed) is located, whereby the overall assembly simulates, or gives the appearance that the two window frames mounted in the fixed outer frame could be slid vertically, one in front of the other, in the manner of a traditional timber design of sliding sash assembly.

It has already been proposed e.g. in GB patent publication No 2263928, and in GB 2282402 A to simulate traditional designs of "horns" and to provide a "slim" simulated transom respectively, and the present invention seeks to enhance still further the simulation of a traditional sliding sash assembly.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a window assembly of the type having frames made of extruded material and intended to simulate the appearance of a double sliding sash type window, said assembly comprising: a fixed rectangular outer frame having a transom which divides the frame into an upper window aperture and a lower window aperture; a first glazed unit hingedly mounted in the upper window aperture for movement between open and closed positions, said first unit having a rectangular frame comprising top and bottom horizontal frame members, and substantially vertically extending side frame members; and a second glazed unit fixedly mounted in the lower window aperture, said second unit having a rectangular frame comprising top and bottom substantially horizontal frame members and substantially vertically extending side frame members, and of which the top horizontal frame member forms at least part of said transom; in which the second glazed unit is in-set relative to the first glazed unit by an amount sufficient to make it appear that the units could be slid up and down one in front of the other;; characterised in that the outwardly facing side of the rectangular outer frame includes decorative elongate beads extending along the upper horizontal frame member and the two side frame members thereof to define simulated guide tracks which could otherwise guide upward and downward sliding movement of the first glazed unit if the latter was not hingedly mounted, said beads being arranged closely adjacent to the adjacent edges of the corresponding sides of the frame of the first glazed unit for the purposes of providing simulated guide tracks but defining a sufficient clearance space to allow the first glazed unit to move hingedly outwards to an open position.

Preferably, at least some of the frame components of the window assembly are made of UPVC, although aluminium extruded sections also may be used.

In a preferred arrangement, the frame members of the outer frame, and of the fixed and openable glazed units are made of UPVC.

To further enhance the simulated traditional design of the window assembly of the invention, the side frame members of the first glazed unit (the upper window frame) may be downwardly prolonged below the level of the lower horizontal frame member of the unit, to simulate traditional "horns". The downward prolongations may be formed as separate components subsequently secured by any suitable means to the side frame members. Alternatively, the side frame members may be moulded, extruded or otherwise formed in one piece with the "horn" like extensions.

Alternatively, or in addition, the traditional design simulation may be enhanced by providing a "slim" profile in the "transom" region of the assembly, in that the lower horizontal frame member of the upper glazed unit (when in the closed position) and the upper horizontal frame member of the lower fixed unit inter-fit or "nest" together, whereby the combined frontal appearance resembles, or closely resembles i.e.

substantially simulates that of a single component.

Depending upon the way in which the two frame members inter-fit, the upper and lower horizontal edges of the simulated single component may be defined by a) the upper and lower edges respectively of the front face of the lower frame member of the upper and openable window unit; b) the upper and lower edges of the respective rear face of the upper frame member of the lower fixed window unit; and c) the upper edge of one of said faces and the lower edge of the other of said faces.

Conveniently, the lower horizontal frame member of the upper and openable glazed unit is constituted by, or includes an L-shaped portion formed by a horizontal base member, and a flange portion extending generally perpendicular to the base member. The flange may form one side of the L-shaped portion, and the flange itself may extend perpendicular to the base member in both directions so as to form the cross-piece of a Tsection.

Similarly, the upper horizontal frame member of the lower fixed glazed unit may be constituted in generally similar manner to the lower horizontal base member of the upper fixed unit, so that they can inter-fit or nest together in any required manner.

In a further development of the invention, the window assembly, may in effect, be rotated through 900, whereby to provide simulation of a traditional design of timber window frame assembly in which two separate window frames are mounted in a fixed rectangular outer frame, and in which at least one of the window frames is slidable horizontally between open and closed positions. This traditional design of horizontally slidable windows can be seen in country cottages and other older buildings in different parts of this country.

Accordingly, in a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a window assembly of the type having frames made of extruded material and intended to simulate the appearance of a double sliding sash type window in which first and second window units are capable of horizontal sliding movement, one in front of the other, within a fixed rectangular frame, and said assembly comprising: a fixed rectangular outer frame having an upright frame member which divides the fixed frame into left and right window apertures; a first glazed unit hingedly mounted in one of said apertures for movement between open and closed positiOns, said first unit having a rectangular frame comprising top and bottom horizontal frame members, and substantially vertically extending side frame members; and a second glazed unit fixedly mounted in the other window aperture, said second unit having a rectangular frame comprising top and bottom substantially horizontal frame members and substantially vertically extending side frame members, and of which one of said vertically extending side frame members forms part of said dividing frame member of the fixed rectangular outer frame; in which the second glazed unit is in-set relative to the first glazed unit by an amount sufficient to make it appear that the units could be slid horizontally one in front of the other;; characterised in that the outwardly facing side of the rectangular outer frame includes decorative elongate beads extending along upper and lower horizontal frame members of the rectangular outer frame to define simulated guide tracks which could otherwise guide horizontal sliding movement of the first glazed unit if the latter was not hingedly mounted, said beads being arranged closely adjacent to the adjacent edges of the corresponding sides of the frame of the first glazed unit for the purposes of providing simulated guide tracks but defining a sufficient clearance space to allow the first glazed unit to move hingedly outwards to an open position.

However, in this simulation of horizontally slidable windows, in which one of the glazed units remains a fixed unit, and the other is hingedly moveable outwardly to an open position, it will normally be desirable for the decorative elongate beads to be arranged along each of the four sides of the fixed rectangular outer frame.

In all aspects of the invention, the decorative elongate beads may be secured to the respective frame members of the fixed outer frame in any convenient manner, including simple adhesion by any suitable adhesives, by plastics welding, or any convenient moulding technique.

Preferred embodiments of window assembly according to the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures la and ib are front views of existing designs of window assembly built up from extruded frame sections, and to which the invention may be applied, and in which a fixed rectangular outer frame serves to mount a top hung open-out window frame, and an in-set lower fixed window unit; Figure 2 is a side view illustrating the opening movement of the upper window frame; Figures 3a and 3b correspond with Figures la and ib respectively, and show application of decorative elongate beads to frame members of the fixed outer frame to form first and second embodiments of the invention;; Figure 4 is a side view, generally similar to Figure 2, and showing the outwardly opening movement of the upper window unit, and also of the decorative elongate beads; Figures 5a and 5b correspond generally with Figures la and lb respectively, and show further designs of existing window frame assemblies to which the invention may be applied; Figure 6 is a side view corresponding to Figures 5a and Sb; Figures 7a and 7b correspond with Figures 5a and 5b, respectively, and show third and fourth embodiments of the invention, with elongate decorative beads applied thereto; Figure 8 is a side view corresponding to Figures 7a and 7b;; Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view of an embodiment of the invention, and showing one way in which the lower horizontal frame member of the upper and openable glazed unit inter-fits with the upper horizontal frame member of the lower fixed glazed unit; Figure 10 is a view, similar to Figure 9, but showing an alternative and preferred arrangement of inter-fitting between the two frame members; Figures gila, b and c are sectional views of preferred embodiment of the invention with decorative elongate beads applied to the outer frame members; and Figures 12a, 12b and 12c are cross-sectional views taken on the section lines 1, 2 and 3 in Figures 1 and 5 of the drawings.

Referring first to Figures la, b and Figure 2, this shows two existing designs of extruded window frame assembly to which the invention may be applied, and which includes a fixed rectangular outer frame, in the upper part of which is mounted an open-out window frame, and in the lower part of which is mounted a fixed window frame. In Figure la, the rectangular outer frame is designated by reference 10 and comprises top and bottom horizontal frame members 11 and 12 and vertically extending side frame members 13. An open-out glazed unit 14 is hingedly mounted in the upper part of frame 10, via a top hinge assembly, not shown, and its range of opening movement is shown in Figure 2. A fixed lower glazed unit 15 is mounted in the lower part of rectangular frame 10, and glazed units 14 and 15 are separated by a transom 16 which forms part of the fixed frame.

A generally similar arrangement is shown in Figure lb, and corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals, but in this arrangement the lower horizontal frame member 14a of the openable glazed unit 14 overlies the transom (16) so as to present a slimmer combined profile of the frame member 14a and the upper horizontal frame member 15a of the fixed lower glazed unit 15.

Figures 12a, 12b and 12c are cross-sectional views taken on section lines 1, 2 and 3 in Figures la and lb.

Referring now to Figures 3a, b and Figure 4, this shows two preferred embodiments of window assembly according to the invention, in which decorative elongate beads are applied to the frame members of the fixed rectangular outer frame 10 shown in Figures la and lb. There are three separate decorative beads applied to the outer frame 10, comprising a top horizontal bead 17 applied to the top horizontal frame member of fixed frame 10, and a pair of vertical beads 18 arranged on the two side frame members 13 of fixed frame 10. The beads 17 and 18 can be formed as separate components which are subsequently applied to the outwardly facing sides of the rectangular outer frame 10 by any suitable means e.g.

adhesives, although other means may be adopted if required.

The beads therefore may be moulded in one piece with the frame members, by extrusion, moulding or any other forming technique suitable for use with plastics material particularly.

The purpose of the beads 17 and 18 is to define simulated guide tracks with the adjacent frame members, and which appear to be capable of permitting vertical slidable movement of an associated sliding sash window of traditional design. However, this is only a simulation, in that the upper glazed unit 14 is hingedly mounted, but in that glazed unit 14 is located, when in the closed position, in a forward plane relative to the inset lower fixed unit 15, the simulated guide tracks defined by the beads 18 appear to be capable of permitting vertical sliding movement of the upper glazed unit 14.

To provide an effective simulation to meet customer requirements, it will be important that the beads 18 particularly be arranged closely adjacent to the adjacent edges of the corresponding sides of the rectangular frame of the glazed unit 14, but defining a small clearance space to allow the upper unit 14 to move hingedly outwardly to an open position without obstruction.

Figures lla, 11b and llc are sectional views taken on the section lines 4, 5 and 6 respectively in Figure 3.

Figure 3b shows the slimline transom of Figure lb, but with the application of the decorative beads 17 and 18 just described with reference to Figure 3a.

Referring now to Figure 5a, 5b and Figure 6, this shows two further existing designs of UPVC window assembly to which the invention may be applied. The major difference between Figures la, lb and Figures 5a and 5b is that downward prolongation of the vertical side frame members of glazed unit 14 form simulation of traditional "horns", as shown by reference 19. These horns may be formed as separate components initially, which are subsequently secured permanently to the lower ends of the vertical side frame members, so as to project downwardly of the lower horizontal frame member.

Figure 7a, 7b and Figure 8 correspond with Figures 5a, b and Figure 6, and show application of elongate decorative beads 17 and 18, in generally similar manner to that described above with reference to the earlier described embodiments of the invention.

In order to further enhance the simulated traditional design of a window assembly according to the invention, i.e. in addition or as an alternative to the simulated horn developments shown in Figures 7a and 7b, a slim profile of transom region of the assembly may be provided, as shown in Figure 10, which corresponds with Figures 3b and Sb. By way of comparison, Figure 9 shows the transom region between the openable glazed unit 14 and the lower fixed glazed unit 15, from which it can be seen that the combined frontal appearance is provided by the facing sides of both of the co-operating frame members, namely the lower frame member of the top unit 14 and the upper horizontal frame member of the lower fixed unit 15.

By contrast, as shown in Figure 10, the lower horizontal frame member 20 of the upper glazed unit 14 inter-fits or "nests" with the upper horizontal frame member 21 of the lower fixed unit 15, whereby the combined frontal appearance resembles, or closely resembles i.e. is substantially similar to that of a single component. In effect, as shown in Figure 10, the simulated single component profile is provided substantially by the front face of the frame member 20.

In Figure 10, the upper and lower horizontal edges of the frame members 20 and 21 are designated by references 20a, 20b, and 2la, 2lb respectively.

Depending upon the way in which frame members 20 and 21 inter-fit, the upper and lower horizontal edges of the simulated single component may be defined by a) the upper and lower edges 20a, 20b of the front face of the lower frame member 20; b) the upper and lower edges 21a, 21b of the rear face of frame member 21; or c) the upper edge of one of the faces (of members 20 or 21) and the lower edge of the other of the faces (of members 20 and 21).

As can be seen in Figure 10, the lower horizontal frame member 20 includes an L-shaped portion having a generally horizontal base 22 and a perpendicularly downwardly extending flange 23, and the frame member 21 has a horizontal base member 24 and a flange portion 25, and the frame members 20 and 21 nest together as shown, so as to present a combined profile with a depth which is no more than the depth of each frame member in the assembled condition.

It should be understood that the illustrated mode of inter-fitting of frame members 20 and 21, as shown in Figure 10, is one example only of a means of providing a slimline transom. Many other arrangements are possible within the scope of this invention.

Finally, while the embodiments which have been illustrated and described thus far comprise a simulation of traditional designs of vertically slidable sash windows, it should be understood that it is within the scope of this invention, according to another aspect, to provide a simulation of a traditional design of window having horizontally moveable window units. Effectively, this can be achieved by rotating the embodiments, as illustrated, through 900, so that what are vertical frame members will now be horizontal, and what are horizontal frame members will now be vertical. However, to give effective simulation of the guide tracks defined in this further traditional design, it is preferred that the elongate decorative beads (17 and 18) be extended along all four sides of the frame members of the fixed rectangular frame.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A window assembly of the type having frames made of extruded material and intended to simulate the appearance of a double sliding sash type window, said assembly comprising: a fixed rectangular outer frame having a transom which divides the frame into an upper window aperture and a lower window aperture; a first glazed unit hingedly mounted in the upper window aperture for movement between open and closed positions, said first unit having a rectangular frame comprising top and bottom horizontal frame members, and substantially vertically extending side frame members; and a second glazed unit fixedly mounted in the lower window aperture, said second unit having a rectangular frame comprising top and bottom substantially horizontal frame members and substantially vertically extending side frame members, and of which the top horizontal frame member forms at least part of said transom; in which the second glazed unit is in-set relative to the first glazed unit by an amount sufficient to make it appear that the units could be slid up and down one in front of the other;; characterised in that the outwardly facing side of the rectangular outer frame includes decorative elongate beads extending along the upper horizontal frame member and the two side frame members thereof to define simulated guide tracks which could otherwise guide upward and downward sliding movement of the first glazed unit if the latter was not hingedly mounted, said beads being arranged closely adjacent to the adjacent edges of the corresponding sides of the frame of the first glazed unit for the purposes of providing simulated guide tracks but defining a sufficient clearance space to allow the first glazed unit to move hingedly outwards to an open position.

2. A window assembly according to claim 1, in which at least some of the frame components of the window assembly are made of UPVC.

3. A window assembly according to claim 2, in which the frame members of the outer frame, and of the fixed and openable glazed units are made of UPVC.

4. A window assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the side frame members of the first glazed unit are downwardly prolonged below the level of the lower horizontal frame member of the unit, to simulate traditional "horns".

5. A window assembly according to claim 4, in which the downward prolongations are formed as separate components which are subsequently secured to the side frame members.

6. A window assembly according to claim 4, in which the side frame members are moulded, extruded or otherwise formed in one piece with "horn" like extensions.

7. A window assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the lower horizontal frame member of the upper glazed unit, when in the closed position, and the upper horizontal frame member of the lower fixed unit inter-fit or "nest" together, whereby the combined frontal appearance resembles, or closely resembles that of a single component, to provide a slim profile in the transom region of the assembly.

8. A window assembly according to claim 7, in which the upper and lower horizontal edges of a simulated single transom component are defined by: a) the upper and lower edges respectively of the front face of the lower frame member of the upper and openable window unit; b) the upper and lower edges of the respective rear face of the upper frame member of the lower fixed window unit; or c) the upper edge of one of said faces and the lower edge of the other of said faces.

9. A window assembly according to claim 8, in which the lower horizontal frame member of the upper and openable glazed unit is constituted by, or includes an L-shaped portion formed by a horizontal base member, and a flange portion extending generally perpendicular to the base member.

10. A window assembly according to claim 9, in which said flange portion forms one side of said L-shaped portion, and the flange portion itself extends perpendicular to the base member in both directions so as to form the cross-piece of a Tsection.

11. A window assembly according to claim 8, in which the upper horizontal frame member of the lower fixed glazed unit is constituted in generally similar manner to the lower horizontal base member of the upper fixed unit, so that they can inter-fit or nest together in any required manner.

12. A window assembly of the type having frames made of extruded material and intended to simulate the appearance of a double sliding sash type window in which first and second window units are capable of horizontal sliding movement, one in front of the other, within a fixed rectangular frame, and said assembly comprising: a fixed rectangular outer frame having an upright frame member which divides the fixed frame into left and right window apertures; a first glazed unit hingedly mounted in one of said apertures for movement between open and closed positions, said first unit having a rectangular frame comprising top and bottom horizontal frame members, and substantially vertically extending side frame members; and a second glazed unit fixedly mounted in the other window aperture, said second unit having a rectangular frame comprising top and bottom substantially horizontal frame members and substantially vertically extending side frame members, and of which one of said vertically extending side frame members forms part of said dividing frame member of the fixed rectangular outer frame; in which the second glazed unit is in-set relative to the first glazed unit by an amount sufficient to make it appear that the units could be slid horizontally one in front of the other;; characterised in that the outwardly facing side of the rectangular outer frame includes decorative elongate beads extending along upper and lower horizontal frame members of the rectangular outer frame to define simulated guide tracks which could otherwise guide horizontal sliding movement of the first glazed unit if the latter was not hingedly mounted, said beads being arranged closely adjacent to the adjacent edges of the corresponding sides of the frame of the first glazed unit for the purposes of providing simulated guide tracks but defining a sufficient clearance space to allow the first glazed unit to move hingedly outwards to an open position.

13. A window assembly according to claim 12, in which decorative elongate beads are arranged along each of the four sides of the fixed rectangular outer frame.

14. A window assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the decorative elongate beads are secured to the respective frame members of the fixed outer frame by use of adhesives, by plastics welding, or any convenient moulding technique.