AU662075B2 - Frame head and sash assembly - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 0 Vt

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COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT .t

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1I t4 V Applicant(s): DOWELL AUSTRALIA LIMITED A.C.N. 004 437 898 Invention Title: FRAME HEAD AND SASH ASSEMBLY 4. I u The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:

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2 FRAME HEAD AND SASH ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a frame head and sash assembly for a window, awning or other closure having a hinging capability.

Hinging mechanisms for sashes and frame heads which rely on inter-relationship between the geometries of the two components to be hinged are known. It is known to design a sash and frame head of such a cross-section that 10 the frame head provides a channel into which a flange on the outer edge of the sash may be inserted. The insertion t rtr is achievable when the sash is in a particular angle of 44" inclination with respect to the frame head, and once inserted the sash is then rotated so that the flange moves into its normal operating position. In normal operation, the sash is hooked into the frame head and hinges about a

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4. Cregion of contact which, in a vertically hung sash closure, is maintained by the force of gravity urging the flange down into the channel.

Throughout this specification the words "up", "down" and "sideways" where they relate to a feature of the sash are defined relative to the sash; "up" corresponding i to the direction indicated by arrow B in Figure 4, down being apposite to the direction of arrow B in Figure 4, and "sideways" corresponding to the direction of arrow A or its opposite direction in Figure 4. These words are derived from the relevant directions for a horizontally hung sash when closed. If the sash is hung about a vertical axis, then corresponding meanings are intended having regard to the 900 displacement of the hinging axis.

There are a number of advantages of the above prior art hinging mechanism over mechanical interconnected hinging mechanisms. Firstly, the entire frame and sash closure of the assembly can be manufactured by IL. 11. wwi i; -I 3 extrusion, the extrusion usually being made of aluminium, with attendant cost advantages. Secondly, the installation is particularly simple in that no screwing of components is required to effect the hinging of the sash to the frame head. Thirdly, the sash is easily removed for repair and reglazing.

Notwithstanding the abovementioned advantages, a particular disadvantage with the prior art constructions is the difficulty of eliminating rattles, especially the difficulty in eliminating rattles at all angles of inclination which are encountered in normal opening and closing operation of the sash. Since the two components, frame head and sash, are not mechanically inter-connected, there is necessarily some degree of free play in the hinging area and it is difficult to reconcile the desire for a rattle-free operation with the design requirements of it must be possible to insert and remove the sash at a particular angle of inclination, (ii) the sash must not be able to fall or be jolted out of its hinged relationship in 20 any of the angles of inclination which are included in the o. normal opening and closing operating range, (iii) the hinging must not be so tight that there is a tendency for 4 seizure or stiffening of the hinging function.

404* The present invention has been devised to attempt 25 to overcome the rattling problem in such assemblies.

Therefore, in accordance with a broad aspect of the invention, there may be provided a frame head and sash S. assembly for a window, awning or other closure, said sash 4 having a first flange means projecting outwardly and a second flange means projecting downwardly, I4 said frame head having a channel having an uppermost part and a lowermost part, the uppermost part being connected with the lowermost part by an interconnecting part extending downwardly, the lowermost end of the second flange means adapted to locate and hang the sash in the channel in a hinging manner by engaging with an inside surface of the

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1; -I -4lowermost part of the channel, there being a projection extending upwardly from the first flange means adjacent where the first flange means terminates with the second flange means, there being a bead at the lowermost end of the second flange means, the interconnecting part having a protrusion directed inwardly of the channel to form with its lowermost surface a socket for said bead with the lowermost part, the inside surface of said uppermost part being shaped to maintain a minimum spacing between said projecticn and said inside surface throughout a normal opening and closing operating range of the assembly, to inhibit upwards and downwards movement of the sash.

*I ~Preferably, there is a projection extending S 15 outwardly from the second flange means adjacent where the second flange means terminates with the first flange means and wherein when the assembly is in a window closed 0,0oo Cposition said projection which extends from the second ~o V. flange means makes contact or near contact with the upper surface of said interconnecting part of said channel above *o said protrusion to provide stability to the assembly.

oAlso preferably, said inside surface of the frame c head above the charnnel terminates abruptly to allow release or insertion of the sash when the sash is swung outside said normal operating range.

In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained, examples of prior art and preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is side elevational crosssectional view of a typical prior art frame head and sash assembly with the sash in a closed position.

Figure 2 is a similar view of the same 1K i '-I 1. i I -I D -I assembly, with the sash in an open position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 but showing one example of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a similar view of the same assembly as Figure 3, with the sash in an open position.

Figure 5 is a side elevational crosso osectional view of a whole window assembly incorporating the to 00 0 °o example of Figure 3, together with other window components, o, 10 showing the arrangement in a window closed condition.

*oft Referring now to Figure 1, the typical prior art 'at, frame head 1 is shown with the sash 2 located therewith and evil showing the assembly in a closed position. A channel 3 is provided on the frame head 1 and is formed by an uppermost part 9 and a lowermost part 8. The sash 2 is provided with an outwardly directed flange 6 and a downwardly directed flange 7. The head of the flange 7 locates in the channel 3 and thereby supports the sash 2 from the frame head i.

In the sash closed position (as shown) there is a small clearance of about 0.3 mm between the uppermost part 9 of the inside surface of sash 1 and the uppermost surface of flange 6. A rubber or brush seal 4 can be carried by the sash 1 and used to dampen any vibrations in the closed position by engaging with a surface 1' of the frame head.

Referring now to Figure 2, it can be seen that in the sash open position, the clearance between the uppermost surface of the flange 6 and the uppermost part 9 of the frame head 1 is increased, as is the lateral clearance between an outermost side surface of the flange 7 and the inside face of the channel 3. Thus, substantial rattling can occur with this configuration in the open position. If the sash 2 is swung further past the normal opening and closing range of operation, the geometry of the assembly allows release of the sash 2 by lifting of the sash p i 6 upwardly so the flange 7 is removed completely from the channel 3.

The extra abutments and projections 5 are provided for attachment of the frame head and sash to other parts of the window or awning.

Figures 3 and 4 show an example of an embodiment of this invention for a window where the channel 3 is shaped differently. Like components to those shown in 4, I, Figures 1 and 2 have been shown with the same numerical 10 designations. Here the channel 3 has an uppermost part 9 and a lowermost part 8 but the shape of the inside surface t 114 of the channel 3 is different by the provision of a protrusion 12 and a curved surface 11 on an inside surface above the channel.

The curved surface 11 permits a substantially constant minimum clearance to be maintained as flanges 6 and 7 traverse surface 11. The upper surface of flange 6 in this case is provided by the upper surface of projection 13 formed adjacent to where flange 6 terminates with flange 7. The lower part of the flange 7 is shaped as a bead 10 whici seats in a socket 17 formed by the lowermost surface of protrusion 12 and the lower inside surface of the channel 3.

As can be seen further from Figure 4, the downwardly tending curved surface 11 terminates abruptly at a position inwardly of the frame head 1 and permits release of the sash 3 from the frame head 1 when the sash 2 is swung past its normal opening and closing operating range.

It can further be seen from Figure 4 that the projection 12 on the inside surfaces of channel 3 can minimise sideways movement of the lower part of the flange 7 relative to that in the prior art by virtue of the close mutual sideways spacing which is now maintained between the surfaces of bead 10 and the surfaces of projection 12 throughout its normal opening and closing operating range.

The downwardly tending curved surface 11 maintains a close spacing with the projection 13, preventing excessive upwards and downwards free play.

The socket 17 formed by the protrusion 12 and lowermost part 8, forms a secure hinge with the bead 10 to ensure smooth pivoted movement of the sash 2 throughout the normal operating opening and closing range of the window.

It can be seen from Figure 3 that an outward S 10 projection 14 in the flange 6 provides further stability when the sash 3 is closed, there being an extra point of contact or near contact with the inside surface of channel 3 above the protrusion 12, in the closed position.

In a modification, the projections 13 and 14 may be combined to produce a surface shape more similar to the a ,bead 10 at the lower part of the flange 7.

t The provision of the bead 10 enables a smoothly operating hinging contact in the channel 3, there being contact over a larger surface than in the prior art. The narrow neck of the lower part of the flange 7 above bead 8 does not interfere with the extreme end 15 of the channel 3 when the sash 2 is to be removed from the frame head 1.

The neck also permits the projection 12 not interfering with the flange 7 in the closed position, as shown in Figure 3.

Referring now to Figure 5, it can be seen how the frame head 1 and the sash 2 inter-relate with the rest of the awning components in this embodiment. A winder 16, of conventional design, acts to wind out the awning from its base 17 and thereby to allow a suitably restricted range of movements in normal operation which defines the normal opening and closing operating range of the window.

It should be clear that this principle can be applied as easily to awnings and windows or doors or 8 similar closure which requires secure hinging in only a limited range of inclinations of sash to frame head. The principle could also be applied in embodiments where the window or other closure member swings about a vertical axis or other axis, or where the hinging area is disposed on a different part of the sash.

Further, modifications may be made to the invention as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art of window and awning design. These and other 10 modifications may be made without departing from the a3:mbit of the invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description and the claims.

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Claims (4)

1. A frame head and sash assembly for a window, awning or other closure, said sash having a first flange means projecting outwardly and a second flange means projecting downwardly, said frame head having a channel having an uppermost part and a lowermost part, the uppermost part being connected with the lowermost part by an interconnecting part extending downwardly, the lowermost end of the second flange means adapted to locate and hang the sash in the channel in a hinging manner by engaging with an inside surface of the lowermost part of the channel, the there being a projection extending upwardly from o the first flange means adjacent where the first flange means terminates with the second flange means, there being Soa bead at the lowermost end of the second flange means, o the interconnecting part having a protrusion directed inwardly of the channel to form with its lowermost surface a socket for said bead with the lowermost part, Sthe inside surface of said uppermost part being shaped to maintain a minimum spacing between said projection and said inside surface throughout a normal opening and closing operating range of the assembly, to inhibit upwards and downwards movement of the sash.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is a projection extending outwardly from the second flange means adjacent where the second flange means terminates with the first flange means and wherein when the assembly is in a window closed position said projection which extends from the second flange means makes contact or near contact with the upper surface of said interconnecting part of said channel above said protrusion to provide stability to the assembly. -I 1 ~119"11.i*i 10

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said inside surface of the frame head above the channel terminates abruptly to allow release or insertion of the sash when the sash is swung outside said normal operating range.

4. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 and substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 3 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS 16TH DAY OF MAY 1995 DOWELL AUSTRALIA LIMITED By Its Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK CO Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia 4i44 l i t I 4 t 4 I 4 I rt t* 4 t1 I i 4 4444 4 44 4 4444 mi..I -r~-MICIU L-r i -I ABSTRACT A frame head and sash are provided where the sash is particularly adapted for windows or awnings hung about a horizontal axis. It comprises a flange (6,7) on the sash which operates in a hinging manner inside a channel on the frame head A surface of the frame head above the channel is shaped to closely o follow the path of an upper surface of the flange, tending o to inhibit upwards and downwards rattling of the sash. A lower part of the flange may be shaped in the form of a bead The channel may be shaped to provide a socket I (17) which closely surrounds the bead and tends to inhibit S' sideways rattling. Projections (13,14) on the flange and a projection (12) in the side of the channel may also be provided to assist in the anti-rattle function. V i I *I