IE42279B1 - Lugs - Google Patents

Abstract

1499116 Window frames BKL ALLOYS Ltd 13 Feb 1976 [22 Feb 1975] 7530/75 Heading E1J A window frame having a channel portion is secured by a lug 29 of T-shaped crosssection, the central portion of the cross-member 31 of the lug engaging the base 11 of the channel, the end portions being spaced from the base and having wedging surfaces 34 remote from the base, a further part 38 of the lug extending from the stem remote from the cross-member. The cross-bar is of parallelogram plan, and is turned after insertion into the channel, in order to engage the surfaces 34 with lips 14, 15 on the side walls of the channel.

Description

This invention relates to lugs which are particularly useful for securing metal window frames in a window opening. The invention also relates to the combination of a lug with a window frame or with a section having the cross-sectional shape, hereinafter referred to as being the shape specified, of a channel having a base, sides and inturned lips on the sides and spaced from the base, the inturned lips providing abutment surfaces which face the base.

Sections of the shape specified are widely used in the manufacture of window frames from aluminium or light alloy, the sections forming the frame having the channels therein opening outwardly of the frame. In the window trade, a window frame as described may be despatched glazed from the factory ready for installation. On site it is often desir15 able that the window be installed without deglazing the factory glazed window. Some means is therefore required for securing the frame in the window opening and lugs have been developed for this purpose.

In one arrangement lugs have been fixed to the frame before despatch from the factory but this is not very satisfactory because it may be found on site that the lugs are wrongly located. It has also been proposed to have lugs which fit into the frame sections but in a manner such that they cannot be relied upon to stay in positions in which they - 2 4 ,2 2 7 9 are set. Thus, when the frame is placed in position in its opening the lugs slide away from the positions in which they have been set prior to the frame being placed in position.

It is an object of one aspect of the invention to provide the combination of a lug with a section of the shape specified and which overcomes the above problems.

According to this aspect of the invention we provide the combination of a section of the shape specified with a lug engaged therein and having a first part which is generally of T-shape in cross-section, an intermediate portion of the cross member of the T engaging the base of the channel, the end portions of the cross member being spaced from the base and having abutment surfaces which engage the abutment surfaces on the section lips with a wedging action, and the stem of the T extending outwardly of the channel between the inturned lips, the lug also having a second part in the form of a tang which extends from the stem transversely thereof so as to project from the section.

The lug is held frictionally in position in the section by the wedging engagement of the cross member of the T between the base of the channel and the inturned lips.

Preferably the first part of the lug is so shaped and dimensioned that it may be inserted into the section channel in one orientation with the intermediate portion of the cross member in engagement with the base of the channel and then turned to another orientation to engage the abutment surfaces of the lug with those of the lips.

Preferably the cross member of the T has the shape of a parallelogram with unequal diagonals of unequal length and the shorter diagonal is Of a length approximately equal to the perpendicular distance between the sides of the section, the abutment surfaces on the lug being located along the shorter sides of the parallelogram which have a length less than the distance between the inturned lips of the section.

The lug can thus be placed in the section channel with the longer sides of the parallelogram parallel to the length of the channel and then turned to bring said abutment surfaces into engagement, with the shorter diagonal then extending across the channel.

The shorter diagonal may have a length slightly greater than the distance between the sides of the channel so that, as the lug is turned into its final position, the corners of the cross member at the ends of said shorter diagonal are slightly deformed whereby, once the lug is in the final position it requires more than an accidental push to displace it along the channel.

The intermediate portion of the cross member of the T may be in the form of a rib which engages the base of the channel. The cross member may in such cases be parallel to the base of the channel but spaced therefrom by the rib.

The rih will preferably be parallel to the shorter sides of the parallelogram. Alternatively the cross member of the T may be in the form of a shallow V converging towards the base of the channel. In such an arrangement the rib may be omitted. The construction should be such that the end portions of the cross member are spaced from the base of the channel to allow the cross member to be deflected as the abutment surfaces on the cross member and the inturned lips - 4 come into wedging engagement.

The invention also provides the combination described above wherein the section of the shape specified forms part of a window frame. The frame is preferably made up from a number of such sections each of which carries at least one lug which may be used to fix the frame into a window opening in a building by passing fasteners through the lugs into the wall surrounding the opening.

It is another object of the invention to provide a lug which is particularly suitable for fitting into a section of the shape specified.

According to this^ aspect of the invention we provide a lug, particularly for engagement in a section of the shape specified, comprising a first part which is generally of T-shape in cross section and is so shaped that, when an I, intermediate or central portion of the cross member of the T is placed upon a plane surface with the stem of the T extending away from said surface, the part may assume a position such that the end portions of the cross member are spaced equal distances from said plane surface, the end portions presenting abutment surfaces facing away from the plane surface and inclined to the plane surface so that they slope towards the plane surface when considered in directions from the stem towards the extremities of the cross member, and the lug having a second part in the form of a tang which extends from the stem at a position remote from the cross member and transversely of the stem.

The lug may have the forms described above, i.e. a rib at the centre of the cross member and/or the cross member in the form of a shallow V.

The stem of the T preferably bisects the angle between the parts of the cross member. If these parts are aligned then the stem is perpendicular to the cross member. The tang preferably extends perpendicular to the stem when viewed in end elevation.

The invention also provides a method of making a lug as described above in which the cross member of the T has the shape of a parallelogram with unequal diagonals, said method comprising extruding a section having the combined cross-section of the first and second lug parts and then severing the extruded section into short lengths to form individual lugs along severance lines inclined to the length of the extruded section. The extruded section may be made from aluminium or other light metal.

This is a ready method of providing the first part of each lug with the cross-member of the T in the form of a parallelogram having unequal diagonals of unequal length. However the lugs could be formed by other methods and from other materials as mentioned below.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:FIGURE 1 is a cross section through part Of a window frame showing how a lug is engaged therein to serve in securing the window frame in an opening; FIGURE 2 is a view of the lug of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrow A in that figure; FIGURE 3 is a view in the direction of the arrow B in Figure 1 showing how the lug is engaged in the section of - 6 42279 the shape specified; and FIGURE 4 is an elevation of a modified form of lug.

Referring first to Figure 1, a section of the shape specified is indicated generally at 10 and forms one side of a window frame. The section includes a channel portion having a base 11, sides 12 and 13 and inturned lips 14 and on the sides 12 and 13 and spaced from the base. The side 12 is extended downwardly in Figure 1 as indicated at to provide a flange which carries a sealing member 17 for engaging one surface of a glazing unit 18.

The glazing unit comprises two spaced sheets of glass 19 having between them a peripheral spacer 20 and a mass of sealing compound 21. The glazing unit is held in position by means of a bead 22, which engages with a downward extension 24 of the side 13, and by a sealing section 23. The side 13 is extended upwardly in Figure 1 as indicated at 25 to overlie the outer surface 26 of a wall 27 in which is provided a window opening 28.

The window frame is held in the opening 28 by one or more lugs. Such a lug is shown in section and is indicated generally at 29 in Figure 1 and is also shown at 29 in Figures 2 and 3. Referring particularly to Figure 1, the lug has a first portion which is generally of T-shape in cross-section. The stem of the T is indicated at 30 and the cross member at 31. The central portion of the cross member is provided with a rib 32 and the cross member comprises two portions 33 which slope upwardly from the rib 32. At their upper extremities, the portions 33 are provided with abutment surfaces 34 which are inclined to the 2 2 7 9 plane of the base 11 of the section and engage abutment surfaces 35 on the inturned lips 14 and 15. Due to the inclination of the abutment surfaces 34 the engagement between the surfaces 34 and 35 is in the form of a wedging action.

It will be seen from Figure 2 that the cross member of the lug is in the form of a parallelogram with shorter sides 36 and longer sides 37. It will be seen that the rib 32 is parallel to the shorter sides 36 and is located between them. The abutment surfaces 34 extend along the shorter sides 36.

The lug comprises a second part 38 which is in the form of a tang and which extends perpendicular to the stem 30 when viewed in section in Figure 1. The tang 38 is provided with an aperture 39 which receives a fastening member such as a nail or screw 40 and thereby the tang can be secured to the wall 27.

It will be noted that the parallelogram formed by the sides 36 and 37 of the cross member has two diagonals one of which is indicated at 41 in Figure 2 and which is substantially perpendicular to the shorter sides 36 of the parallelogram. The lugs may be made by forming an extrusion substantially of the section shown in Figure 1 and then cutting from the length of the extrusion a number of lugs by cuts which are at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the extrusion, such angle being indicated at A in Figure 2.

It will be seen that by manufacturing the lugs in this way the tang 38 has its longer edges aligned with the longer sides 37 of the parallelogram. - 8 4 2 2 7 9 A lug is engaged in the section by inserting the lug into the channel of the section with the longer sides 37 of the cross member substantially parallel to the length of the channel. The lug can then be turned to bring the abutment surfaces 34 under the abutment surfaces 35 of the inturned lips of the section and thus bringing the lug to the position shown in Figure 3. The inclination of the surfaces 34 provides a lead which enables these surfaces to be engaged under the inturned lips 14 and 15 . as a result of which the portions 33 of the cross member are deflected downwardly as required.

By providing these inclined surfaces 34, allowance .can be made for the necessary tolerances in manufacture of the sections and of the lugs. If desired, the surfaces 34 may not be inclined and the surfaces 35 on the lips 14 and 15 can be inclined to provide the lead and wedging action.

The length of the diagonal 41 is approximately equal to the distance between the inner surfaces of the sides 12 and 13 as will be clear from a consideration of Figure 3 where the diagonal 41 has been shown as a dotted line.

Preferably, however, the length of the diagonal 41 is very slightly greater than the distance between the inner surfaces of the sides 12 and 13 so that, as the lug is turned to its final position shown in Figure 3, the corners at the ends of the diagonal 41, which corners are indicated at 42 in Figure 2, are slightly deformed. Thus as the lug is moved into its final position it is moved, as it were, over-centre with regard to these corners and it is thus held in position and cannot be dislodged by accidental pressure. 2 2 7 9 It will be seen from the foregoing description, that any desired number of lugs may be secured in desired positions on each section and the lugs can easily be positioned on site.

It is not necessary for the lugs to be engaged in the frame at the factory before despatch.

Figure 4 shows a modified form of lug in which again there is a first portion indicated generally at 43 of generally T section having a stem 44 and a cross member 45 with portions 46 which, at their extremities, have inclined abutment surfaces ·47. At its centre, the cross member has a rib 48. There is a second portion 49 of the lug having an aperture 50 therein.

This lug will be used in exactly the same way as the lug shown in Figures 1 to 3 but it does not have the portions of the cross member at an inclination to the base of the channel with which the lug is to be engaged. It is necessary, however, that the extremities of the cross member shall be capable of being deflected downwardly in Figures 1 to 4 as the abutment surfaces 34 or 47 come into engagement with the abutment surfaces 35 on the lips 14 and 15. The clearance to allow this deflection may either be provided by inclining the portions 33 as shown in Figure 1 and, if desired, providing a rib 32 or, one may have the construction shown in Figure 4, where there is a rib 48 which raises the portions 46 from the base of the section thus allowing deflection of these portions as the abutment surfaces 47 come into engagement with the abutment surfaces 35 of the inturned lips.

The lug will be made preferably from aluminium or - 10 4 2 2 7 9 light alloy by extrusion and cutting the extrusion into short lengths as described above. The sections will also normally be of aluminium or light alloy. The lugs could also be formed from aluminium strip or could be formed from synthetic plastics material by extrusion and cutting, as with aluminium, or by injection moulding.

Although the lugs have been developed particularly for fixing window frames into window openings, it will be appreciated that they could be used in sections of the shape specified for other purposes.

Moreover, although the invention has been described specifically with respect to a frame containing a double glazed unit, the invention may apply to unglazed frames or to single glazed frames. With unglazed frames the use of lugs prevents possible distortion which could occur if the window frame is screwed directly into a window opening having uneven surfaces.

Claims (15)

1. The combination of a section of the shape specified with a lug engaged therein and having a first part which is generally of T-shape in cross-section, an intermediate portion of the cross member of the T engaging the base of the channel, the end portions of the cross member being spaced from the base and having abutment surfaces which engage the abutment surfaces on the section lips with a wedging action, and the stem of the T extending outwardly of the channel between the inturned lips, the lug also having a second part in the form of a tang which extends from the stem transversely thereof so as to project from the section.

2. The combination according to Claim 1 in which the first part of the lug is so shaped and dimensioned that it may be inserted into the section channel in one orientation with the intermediate portion of the cross member in engagement with the base of the channel and then turned to another orientation to engage the abutment surfaces of the lug with those of the lips.

3. The combination according to Claim 2 in which the cross member of the T has the shape of a parallelogram with unequal diagonals of unequal length and the shorter diagonal is of a length approximately equal to the perpendicular distance between the sides of the section, the abutment surfaces on the lug being located along the shorter sides of the parallelogram which have lengths less than the distance between the inturned lips of the section. 4. 2 2 7 9 Claim 15 in which the rib is parallel to the shorter sides of the parallelogram. 18. A method of making a lug according to Claim 16 or Claim 17 comprising extruding a section having the 4 2 2 7 9 of T-shape in cross section and is so shaped that, when an intermediate or central portion of the cross member of the T is placed upon a plane surface with the stem of the T extending away from said surface, the part may assume a position 4 2,2 79 distance between the sides of the channel so that, as the lug is turned into its final position, the corners of the cross member at the ends of said shorter diagonal are slightly deformed so that once the lug is in the final position it requires more than an accidental push to displace it along the channel.

4. The combination according to Claim 3 in which the shorter diagonal has a length slightly greater than the 5. Combined cross-section of the first and second lug parts and then severing the extruded section into short lengths to form individual lugs along severance lines inclined to the length of the extruded section. 19. A lug made by the method of Claim 18. 5 such that the end portions of the cross member are spaced equal distances from said plane surface, the end portions presenting abutment surfaces facing away from the plane surface and inclined to the plane surface so that they slope towards the plane surface when considered in directions from

5. The combination according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the cross member is parallel to the base of the channel but spaced therefrom.

6. The combination according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the cross member is in the form of a shallow V converging towards the base of the channel.

7. The combination according to Claim 5 or Claim 6 in which the intermediate portion of the cross member is in the form of a rib which engages the base of the channel.

8. The combination according to Claim 7 when linked with Claim 3 or Claim 4 in which the rib is parallel to the shorter sides of the parallelogram.

9. The combination according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 in which the abutment surfaces on the lug are inclined to the directions of extension of the two parts of the cross member on either side of the stem so as to provide the wedging action. 10. 20. The combination of a section of the shape specified with a lug engaged therein, said combination being constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. 10 the stem towards the extremities of the cross member and the lug having a second part in the form of a tang which extends from the stem at a position remote from the cross piece and transversely of the stem.

10. The combination according to any one of Claims 1 to 9 in which the section of the shape specified forms part of a window frame.

11. A lug, particularly for engagement in a section of the shape specified, comprising a first part which is generally

12. A lug according to Claim 11 in which the cross 15 member and stem of the first part extend at right angles to each other.

13. A lug according to Claim 11 in which the cross member is in the form of a shallow V.

14. A lug according to Claim 13 in which the stem 20 bisects the angle between the parts of the cross member. 15. A lug according to any one of Claims 11 to 14 in which the central portion of the cross member is in the form of a rib formed on the opposite side of the central portion from the stem. 25 16. A lug according to any one of Claims 11 to 15 in which the cross member of the T has the shape of a parallelo gram with unequal diagonals, the abutment surfaces being located along the shorter sides of the parallelogram. 17. A lug according to Claim 16 when linked with

15. 21. A lug, particularly for engagement in a section of the shape specified, the lug being constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.