GB2341410A

GB2341410A - Window mounting method

Info

Publication number: GB2341410A
Application number: GB9819663A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Weihe
Original assignee: SELECTA WINDOW SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: SELECTA WINDOW SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 1998-09-09
Filing date: 1998-09-09
Publication date: 2000-03-15
Also published as: GB9819663D0

Abstract

A glazed window unit (3, figure 1) is mounted in an aperture 2, preferably formed in the wall of a caravan or mobile home, by means of a frame with a base 11 having on one edge a flange 12 which abuts a side of the wall adjacent the aperture. On the other edge of the base 11 is a socket 15 which accommodates a locking member 20 having a flange 21 which abuts the other side of the wall adjacent the aperture. The locking member may be T-shaped with a projection (22, figure 1) for interference fit in the socket 15, which may be by teeth or serrations 23. The frame may be a plastics moulding and the locking member may be a metal extrusion, for example aluminium.

Description

2341410 Agent's ref. P02122GB GLAZING The invention relates to the

installation of windows in caravans and homes and like structures having relatively thin walls.

There are, of course, numerous designs of windows for installation in permanent buildings having say brick walls. Such designs cannot easily be used in the case of thin walled structures such as mobile homes, caravans or portable buildings for use in construction sites, entertainment events; and the like. The present techniques for installing windows in such structures are time consuming. It is one object of the invention to provide a method and means for speedily and reliably glazing such thin walled structures.

In one aspect the invention provides a method of mounting a window in a window aperture in a wall by means of a locking member, the locking member comprising a flange and a locking member, the window having a frame having a flange at one side and a socket to receive the locking member at the other side, the method comprising locating the window in the aperture from a first side of the wall until the fi-ame flange abuts the first side of the wall and then engaging the locking member in the socket until the flange of the locking member abuts the second side of the wall.

Preferably the locking member is received in the socket as an interference fit. For this purpose the member may be a male projection having teeth or serrations, as can the wall of the socket. Preferably the locking member is a one piece article which is ge y'lllbhaped. as seen in section, and is preferably a metal extrusion.

2 It is an advantage of the invention that when inserted into the aperture the window is fully glazed.

The method may be applied to thin wall structures, say about 38= thick but the invention is not limited to this wall thickness. Such a wall may be part of a mobile or static home or like structure.

In another aspect the invention provides a wall having a window aperture, a window being mounted in the aperture, the window having a frame having a socket in one side and an outwardly extending flange at the other side, the frame flange abutting a first side of the wall, a locking member received in the socket and a flange abutting the second side of the wall, whereby the window is mounted in the wall.

Preferably the wall is an exterior wall of a caravan or like structure, and the flange of the window frame abuts the outer surface of that wall and the flange of the locking member abuts the inner surface of that wall.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through the lower section of one embodiment of the invention, and Figure 2 is a partial section showing how the locking member is received in the socket.

An exterior wall W of a caravan is made of wood or other material and is about 38mm thick. An aperture 2 is preformed in the wall, to receive a fully glazed window 3. The window 3 contains the window glass 4, which will be a single or multiple pane of glass 1; as shown there is a double glazed unit.

The window comprises an outer frame profile I A and the vent profile itself I B. Each has four side walls made of an extruded plastics section 10. The section comprises a base member I I having a depending flange 12 at one end dimensioned to overlap the margin of the aperture 2. The base I I is dimensioned to match the thickness of the wall, and has an upstand 13 which could be aligned with the inner wall side W2. A silicone seal 14 is present between the base I I and the wall of the aperture 2. A socket 15 having inner toothed or serrated walls 16 extends inwardly, parallel to the base 11 in the lower part of the upstand 13. The glass unit 4 is received in a socket therefor in the fi-ame IB and is held in place by a glazing bead 17. A cockspur handle 18 is mounted on the window (where the structure is a caravan) and a friction stay 19 is located between the opposite faces of the frame IB and profile IA.

A locking member 20 is a flange 21 having a shank like projection 22 having exterior teeth or serrations 23. The locking member 20 is a metal extrusion, say aluminium, generally T shape in section. It will be noted that the extension 22 is wider thart the socket so that it will be an interference fit.

The window including the glass, the glazing bead, handle and friction stay is first assembled, and the profile added to form a fully glazed window unit 3. Sealant 14 is applied to the aperture perimeter, as required. The window unit 3 is offered up to the aperture from the outside W I until the flange 12 contracts the wall side WI, and lengths of the locking member 20 are received in the socket 15 from the inside wall W2. The shank 22 is driven home, using say a rubber mallet until the flanges 13, 21, lie on opposite sides WI, W2, of the wall as 4 shown. The assembly has been made quickly and efficiently, and the locking engagement is strong. In contrast to present techniques used for glazing caravans and the like the mounting of the window takes minutes and not hours.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. The engagement of the locking member and the frame need not be of the shape shown, depending on the requirements. The engagement need not have a serrated projection. The locking member may be on the outer side of the wall. The window and the locking member may first be joined and then the wall can be inserted into the socket so formed by the facing flanges 12, 2 1. The window need not be rectangular; the wall need not be made of wood. As shown the window opens out but the invention is applicable to all types of windows. The wall may be thicker than 38mm, say up to about 55min.

Claims

1. A method of mounting a window in a window aperture in a wall by means of a locking member, the window having a frame having a flange at one side and a socket to receive the locking member at the other side, the method comphsing locating the window in the aperture from a first side of the wall until the frame flange abuts the first side of the wall and then engaging the locking member in the socket until the flange of the locking member abuts the second side of the wall.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the locking member has a projection which is received in the socket as an interference fit.

3. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking member is a one piece article which is generally T shaped as seen in section.

4. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein the window is fully glazed.

5. A method according to Claim 6, wherein the wall is about 38mm thick.

6. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein the wall is part of a mobile home or like structure.

7. A wall having a window aperture, a window being mounted in the aperture, the window having a frame having a socket in one side and an outwardly extending flange at the other side, the frame flange abutting a first side of the wall, a locking member received 6 in the socket and a flange abutting the second side of the wall, whereby the window is mounted in the wall.

8. A wall according to Claim 7, wherein the lock member has a projection which is received in the socket as an interference fit.

9. A wall according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the frame comprises a plastics moulding.

10. A wall according to any of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the locking member is a metal extrusion.

11. A wall according to Claim 10, wherein the locking member is an aluminium extrusion.

12. A wall according to any of Claims 7 to 11, wherein the wall is an exterior wall of a caravan or like structure, and the flange of the window frame abuts the outer surface of that wall and the flange of the locking member abuts the inner surface of that wall.

13. A wall according to Claim 12, having a thickness of about 38mrn to about 55mm.

LS5WIT9.98 P02122GB.D&C