US3491485A - Frames - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 27, 1970' R. J. ORMAN 3,491,485

FRAMES Filed March vle. 1968 United States Patent O 3,491,485 FRAMES Richard John Orman, Welwyn Garden City, England, assignor to Imperial Chemical Industries Limited, London, England, a corporation of Great Britain Filed Mar. 18, 1968, Ser. No. 713,585 Claims priority, application Great Britain, Apr. 6, 1967, 15,806/ 67 Int. Cl. E06b 3/20, 7/24 U.S. Cl. 49-390 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Window frame assemblies having a tortuous path between opening and closed frames to prevent ingress of weathering. Frames may be assembled from bre reinforced components.

The present invention relates to frame members and to frames suitable as window frames assembled from the frame members. The invention is more particularly concerned with frame members provided with weather-sealing means. The type of frame member to which the invention is most preferably applicable is that intended for use in the construction of horizontally or vertically pivoting window frames.

In one known type of horizontally pivoting window assembly a weather-sealing element in the form of an exposed flange member is separately afxed to and positioned around the periphery of the upper half of the outer frame on its external side and another similar weathersealing element is separately aflixed to and positioned around the periphery of the lower half of the outer frame on its internal side. The elements are arranged to cover the joint between the pivoting window frame and the outer frame. The result is that the window assembly has an unsymmetrical and displeasing appearance when viewed from either its internal or external side since the Weather-sealing element can only be seen to extend around one-half of the periphery of the outer frame. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the weather-sealing element is not as good as is often desirable.

According to the present invention a window frame member comprises a main body portion having a ridge extending therealong, an upstand projecting out of the ridge and extending therealong such that a recess is located between the upstand and the main body portion.

By a window frame member we mean one member of a plurality of members which may be assembled to produce a moving window frame or an outer frame in a window assembly.

The ridge is preferably located at one edge of one side of the main body portion. Preferably the upstand is substantially parallel to the facing side of the main body portion. The recess takes the form of a channellike section.

The invention also relates to a window assembly comprising a moving window frame pivoted or hinged to an outer frame, the moving Window frame and the outer frame each being produced from window frame members according to the invention as defined above, and being assembled together such that an upstand on a frame member of the moving window frame is positioned in the recess of an adjoining frame member of the outer frame and that an upstand on said adjoining frame member is positioned in the recess of the adjoined frame member when the moving window frame is closed against the outer frame.

Thus when the moving window frame is closed against the outer frame there is a labyrinth or tortuous path Patented Jan. 27, 1970 ICC around and between the recesses and upstands of adjoining frame members in the moving window frame and the outer frame and this is extremely effective in preventing ingress Of the weather between adjoining frame members. Additionally, no exposed weather-sealing elements need be used.

In a preferred form of window assembly, a sealing member, made of, for example, a rubber strip, may be located in the recess of at least one of the adjoining frame members. Preferably, the sealing member is located in the recess which is remote in the labyrinth or tortuous path from the weather side, i.e. it is located in the second recess encountered in the labyrinth or tortuous path by rain or wind entering from the external side of the window assembly.

The invention is particularly suitable for the production of moving window frames pivoted in an outer frame.

The frame members may be produced from any suitable material and the main body portion and/or the ridge may be solid or hollow. Suitable materials include, for example, metals such as aluminum or steel, rigid synthetic plastics materials such as vinyl chloride polymers or a reinforced thermosetting resin, e.g. glass fibre reinforced polyester resin. We prefer to make the frame members from a reinforced thermosetting resin and also that the main body portion and ridge are hollow. In this case the frame member may be made from two components produced by compression moulding a partially cured sheet of reinforced thermosetting resin, such as glass fibre reinforced polyester resin.

The frame members in the latter case may have a construction substantially as disclosed in our copending United Kingdom applications Nos. 53,153/66 and 6,173/67 (United States Ser. No. 682,302, tiled Nov. 13, 1967).

According to one embodiment of the present invention a frame member comprises two components and has a main. body portion of generally hollow rectangular crosssection, said main body portion having a ridge extending therealong, said ridge being produced upon assembly of the two components by uniting a flange of the first component, which ange extends substantially perpendicularly to a portion of the rst component, which portion forms at least part of one side of the main body portion, with a flange of the second component extending substantially perpendicularly to an extension of a portion of the second component, which portion forms at least part of an adjacent side of the main body portion such that the end of the flange of the first component abuts against the flange of the second component, a projection being formed on the tirst or the second component for engaging the other component and locating the abutment of the flanges of the two components.

Preferably, in this embodiment, the upstand, which serves as a weather-sealing element, is formed substantially as a continuation of the ange of the second component. In fact the upstand advantageously comprises a protruding member or extension formed integrally with the ridge. It is desirable that the upstand should be substantially parallel to the portion of the rst component which forms at least part of one side of the main body portion when the two components are assembled into the frame member.

A preferred method of producing the components of this embodiment is to compression mould them from a partially cured sheet of reinforced thermosetting resin, e.g. glass iibre reinforced polyester resin.

It is preferred that the main body portion of the frame member should be substantially rectangular. Within the term substantially rectangular we intend to include cases Where at least one side, and possibly more than one side, 0f a component is made slightly non-perpendicular to its adjacent side, e.g. by an angle of from 1/2 to 3 from the perpendicular. It is particularly advantageous to provide for this degree of non-perpendicularity in components which are formed by moulding since this facilitates removal of the moulded component from the mould.

The ridge is preferably also of hollow cross-section, although it need not be hollow. It is advantageous that a ridge should be formed on each of the opposite sides of the frame mernber.

The flanges of the lirst and second components are preferably arranged substantially perpendicular to said portion of the first component forming at least part of one side of the main body portion and to the extension of the second component respectively. Within the term substantially perpendicular we include cases where the anges are slightly nonxperpendicular to their associated portion or extension, e.g. by an angle of from 1/2 to 3 from the perpendicular. Likewise, within the term substantially parallel we include cases where there is a deviation of from 1/2 to 3 from paralleiism.

The projection is preferably formed on the second component for case of manufacture of the component, particularly when compression moulding of a partially cured sheet of reinforced thermosetting resin is used. It is also desirable to make the general plane of the projection perpendicular to the portion of the second component forming at least part of said adjacent side and its extension, and to connect the projection to this portion or extension. It is not necessary for the projection to extend the whole length of either component on which it is formed. Indeed it may only extend for a minor proportion of this length or may be broken into a plurality of spaced projections. The projection may take the form of a support and locating means for supporting the flange of the lirst component in spaced relationship to the extension of the second component when the ridge is hollow.

The invention is applicable to two particularly preferred forms of frame members within this embodiment.

In one form the frame member is assembled from two similarly shaped components, each having the general cross-sectional form of an L having a llange at the end of one of its limbs extending away from the other and an extension, flange and projection on the other limb.

In the other form of frame member one component is generally U-shaped in cross-section, having a llange at the end of each limb extending away from the other limb. The other component is a capping component comprising a generally at main section having an extension and ilange at each end and also provided with two projections.

The frame member may be produced from the two components by bondingV together the abutting surfaces of the flanges of each and bonding the projection of one component to the surface of the other component against which it abuts.

Production of the framemember may be etected by assembling the two components with the flanges and projection is an unshaped condition. Alternatively the flanges or projection may be shaped to facilitate assembly, for instance channels may be formedin either of the anges or projection to accommodate the mating part, or the abutting surfaces of the flanges and projection may be bevelled or may be formed with inter-engaging teeth or studs and cavities.

It is convenient to use tapered spigot and socket joints to facilitate joining adjacent frame members together.

The invention also relates to frames, e.g. window frames, particularly horizontaily and vertically pivoting window frames, produced from frame members according to the invention.

The frame members of the invention may be fabricated into moving window frames, and also into the lintels and jambs of the outer frames used with such window frames.

In order that the invention may be more readily under stood, preferred embodiments thereof are now described 4r by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is an end elevational view of one form of frame member according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 is end elevational view of another form of frame member according to the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of a horizontally pivoting window assembly constructed from frame memlbers as shown in FIGURES l and 2.

The frame member shown in FIGURE 1 is assembled from two components A and B of generally L-shaped cross-section made by compression moulding partially cured sheets of glass libre reinforced polyester resin. The component A is formed with limbs 1a and 2a, the limb 1a having a llange 3a and the limb 2a having an extension 4a provided with a llange 5a. A projection 6a extends from the vicinity of connection of the limb 2a and the extension 4a and has a channelled portion 7a facing the flange 5a. The flange 5a has a channel 8a along its face facing the projection 6a. Component B is constructed in a similar fashion to component A and its reference characters are similar to those used for component A but are suliixed with the letter b instead of the letter 5. The flange 5b of component B has an upstand 9b formed integrally with and as a continuation of the liange 5b and extending along the whole length of the ange 5b. A recess 11 is located between the upstand 9b and the limb 1a.

When the components A and B are assembled into a frame member, the flange 3a of the first component A is united with the flange 5b of the second componentL and seated in the channel 8b. The projection 6b engages the rst component A by means of the channelled portion 7b in the region of' connection of the flange 3a to the limb la of component A and serves to support and locate the flange 3a in spaced apart relationship to the extension 4b. It will be seen that the limb 1a forms part of one side of the niain body portion of the frame member, which is of generally hollow cross-section, and that the limb 2b forms part of its adjacent side. One ridge extending longitudinally along the frame member is produced by the flanges 3a and 5b and the extension 4b. Another ridge is produced by the flanges 3b and 5a and the extension 4a, and is assembled by uniting the lianges 3b and 5a in a manner similar to that described for the lirst ridge. The two ridges have different dimensions when measured in a direction perpendicular to the limbs 2a and 2b and this is provided for by making the limb la, the ange 5a and the projection 6a of component A of dilferent lengths from the limb 1b, the flange 5b and the projection 6b of component B. The abutting surfaces of the components A and B were bonded together with a polyester resin glue.

The upstand 9b which extends substantially parallel to the limb 1a serves as a Weather-sealing element when two frame members are used in conjunction and their upstands are caused to overlap, whereby an upstand of one frame member is positioned in the recess of the adjoining frame member, for instance, as shown in FIGURE 3 which will be referred to below.

The frame member shown in FIGURE 2 is assembled from a generally U-shaped cross-section component 15 and a capping component 16, each made by compression moulding a partially cured sheet of glass ibre reinforced polyester resin. The U-shaped component 15 has two limbs 17 and 18 extending from a base 19. Fianges 26 and 21 are formed at the ends of the limbs 17 and 18 respectively. The capping component 16 has a main portion '22 and extensions 25 and 26 formed at each end of the main portion 22. Flanges 27 and 28 extend from the extensions 25 and 26 respectively and have channels 29 and 30 respectively. Projections 31 and 32 extend from the capping component 16 in the vicinity of the connection between the extension 25 and the main portion 22 and the extension 26 and the main portion 22 respectively.

The projections 31 and 32 have channelled portions 33 and 34 respectively. An upstand 35 is formed integrally with and as a continuation of the flange 27 and extending along the whole length of the flange 27. A recess 38 is located between the upstand 35 and the limb 17.

Upon assembly of the components 15 and 16 into a frame member, the flange 20 of the U-Shaped component 15 comprising the first component is united with the flange 27 of the capping component 16 comprising the second component and seated in the channel 29 in the flange 27. The projection 31 engages the first component 15 by means of its channelled portion 33 in the region of connection of the ange 20 to the lim-b 17 and serves to support and locate the fiange 27 in spaced apart relationship to the extension 25. In this frame member the limb 17 forms part of one side of the main body portion of the member, which is of generally hollow cross-section, and the main portion 22 of the capping component 16 forms part of its adjacent side. One ridge which extends longitudinally along the frame member is formed by the flanges 20 and 27 and the extension 25. Another ridge is likewise formed by the flanges 21 and 28 and the extension 26, and is assembled by uniting the anges 21 and 28 in a manner similar to that described for the first ridge. The two ridges have different dimensions when measured perpendicular to the main portion 22. This is achieved by making the fiange 27, the projection 31 and the limb 17 different lengths from the corresponding fiange 28, projection 32 and limb 18. The abutting surfaces of the U-shaped component 15 and the cap-ping component 16 were bonded together with a polyester resin glue. l

The upstand 35 extends substantially parallel to the limb 17 to serve as a weather-sealing element when two frame members are used in a construction where the upstan'ds of the two members are caused to overlap, whereby an upstand of one frame member is positioned in the recess of the adjoining frame member, for instance, as shown in FIGURE 3 which will now be referred to below.

FIGURE 3 shows in cross-section a horizontally pivoting window frame made from frame members 60, 61, 62 and 63, and interconnecting member 64. The window frame is pivoted by means of the interconnecting member 64 to an outer frame of which the lintel and sill are made from frame members 65 and 66 respectively. The frame members 63 and 66 are assembled in the manner described with reference to FIGURE l and the frame members 60 and 65 are assembled in the manner described with reference to FIGURE 2. The outer frame is secured in a window opening of a wall 68 in a building so that one ridge of the frame members forming the outer frame, as shown for instance at 69 for the frame member 65 and at 70 for the frame member 66, overlaps the edge of the window opening on the external side 0f the wall thereby providing an attractive finish by concealing the joint between the outer frame and the edge of the window opening. A pane 72 of glass is afiiXed to the pivoting window frame by a strip of putty 73, as shown in relation to the frame members 60 and 63.

The pivoting window frame is shown in FIGURE 3 in th-e closed position, the frame member 60 of the window frame being closed against the lintel made from the frame member 65 and similarly for all other frame members of the assembly, such as the frame member 63 and the sill made from the frame member 66.. The ridge 75 of the frame member 60 is arranged to face the ridge 76 of the frame membr 65, these two ridges being located between the main body portions of the frame members 60 and 65. The upstand 77 on the frame member 60 overlaps with the upstand 78 on the frame member 65. The upstand 77 is caused to fit into and be located in the recess 80 in the adjoining frame member 65 between the upstand 78 and the main body portion of the frame member 65, and likewise the upstand 78 is fitted into and located in the recess 81 in the adjoining frame member 60. This arrangement of the upstands 77 and 78 provides a labyrinth or tortuous path between the frame members 60 and 65. A sealing member 82 made of a rubber strip secured by an adhesive to the frame member 65 is abutted by the upstand 77 to seal the tortuous path against weather penetration. The upstands of the frame members around the whole periphery of the pivoting window frame are caused to be located in corresponding recesses in corresponding adjoining frame members in the same manner as described with reference to the frame members 60 and 65 so that an effective seal against weather penetration is provided around the whole periphery of the window assembly. This applies to the frame members 63 and 66.

In order to allow the pivoting window frame to pivot about an axis 83 in the interconnection member 64 so that the frame members 60 and 63 pivot in the direction of the arrows P, it is necessary to locate the ridge of the frame member 60 and a corresponding ridge on the frame member 61 on the internal side of the window frame and to locate the ridge 82 of the frame member 63 and a corresponding ridge on the frame member 62 on the external side of the window frame. For this reason frame members 60, 61 and 65 have the configuration shown in FIGURE 2 and the frame members 62, 63 and 66 have the configuration shown in FIGURE l. Since the frame members 61 and 62 have differentconfigurations the interconnecting member 64 has the appropriate crosssectional configuration at its ends to enable it to be joined to the frame members 61 and 62. Hence the upper end of the interconnecting member 64 as viewed in FIGURE 3 has a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to that of the frame member 61 and the lower end of the interconnecting member has a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to that of the frame member 62. A similar interconnecting member (not shown in the drawing) is provided in the outer frame upon which the interconnecting member 64 is pivoted.

I claim:

1. A window assembly comprising a moving window frame pivoted or hinged to an outer frame, the moving frame and the outer frame each being produced from frame members having a main body portion of hollow cross-section and a closed hollow ridge extending along at least one of its sides, with each said frame member being assembled from two components made from a synthetic plastics material, said two components comprising (a) a first component having a fiange extending substantially perpendicularly to a portion of said first component, which portion forms one side of the main hollow crosssection of the frame member and (b) a second component having a flange extending substantially perpendicularly to an extension of a portion of said second component, which portion forms an adjacent side of the main hollow cross-section of the frame member, and said closed hollow ridge being produced upon assembly of said two components by abutting the end of the flange of said first component against the flange of said second component, and said second component being further provided with at least one projection which engages with the corner of the first component between the flange of the first component and the portion of the first component which forms said one side of the main hollow cross-section, as the two components are brought together, to guide the end of the flange of the first component into abutting relationship with the flange of the second component, said closed hollow ridgehaving an upstand extending therealong such that a recess is located between the upstand and the main body portion, and the moving window frame and the outer frame being assembled together such that an upstand on a frame member of the moving window frame is positioned in the recess of an adjoining frame member of the outer frame and that an upstand on said adjoining frame member is positioned in the recess of the adjoined frame member when the moving window frame is closed against the outer frame, whereby a labyrinth or tortuous path is formed around and between the recesses and upstands of the frame member and the adjoining frame member.

2. A Window assembly according to claim 1 in which a sealing member is located in the recess which is remote from the Weather side of the assembly.

References Cited' UNITED STATES PATENTS 835,098 11/1906 Christenson 49--392 X 1,158,378 10/1915 Fullerton et al 52-731 X 1,294,189 2/1919 Stilling 49-390 X Rappaport 52-731 X Ansel 49-392 Zimmermann 49-489 Sherron 52-309 X FOREIGN PATENTS Italy.

JACOB SHAPIRO, Primary Examiner 10 P. C. KANNAN, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

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