GB2110748A - Windows - Google Patents

Abstract

A window frame (1) which is at least partly curvilinear in plan is mounted in a wall one face at least of which is clad with a profiled or corrugated sheet cladding material (7) by means of an outer frame (2) of similar plan and extending normal to the plane of the window frame and a flexible sealing material (8) extending around the outer frame member and having an outstanding portion (10) containing a groove which engages with the edge of the cladding surrounding the outer frame. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Windows This invention is conerned with improvements in and relating to windows and, more particularly, is concerned with improved instructions for sealing window frames in contact with sheet cladding on the face of a wall of a building.

It is a common practice to clad a face, generally the outside face, of a wall of a building with a sheet material in order to obtain a weather proofing effect and, in order to render the cladding more attractive in appearance, it is known to use a profiled or corrugated cladding which presents a more attractive aspect than does a plain sheet of cladding. A problem arises when sealing the edges of the cladding at apertures in the wall of the building, such as doors or windows, to the frames defining such apertures. This problem is particularly acute when the apertures are not rectilinear, that is when the aperture has a curved portion, for example is circular or is of generally rectangular shape but with curved corners. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved construction for sealing such apertures which are not rectilinear in plan.

According to the invention there is provided there is provided means for mounting an aperture frame (such as a window frame) which is at least partly curvilinear in plan in a wall of a structure one face at least of which is clad with a profiled or corrugated sheet cladding material which comprises: an outer frame mounted in said wall and supporting and surrounding the aperture frame and which is similarly at least partly curvilinear in plan and has a generally planar surface normal to the plane of the aperture frame directed towards the or each face of the wall which is clad with the profile cladding material and extending beyond the outer plane of planar face of the cladding material; and a flexible sealing material formed of elastomeric material extending around and in contact with the planar face of the outer frame member and having in cross-section a generally planar base in contact with the planar face of the outer frame member and an outstanding portion extending away from said base and containing a groove formed therein which engages with the edge of the cladding surrounding the outer frame.

In order that the invention may be well understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a partial exploded view of an aperture frame, outer frame and cladding in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a partial cross-section through an aperture, outer frame and cladding.

As shown in the drawings an aperture frame 1 (in this case a window frame) is supported in a wall of a structure by means of an outer frame 2 which is fixedly connected to the structure of the wall by means of a fixing member 3. Frame 1 is mounted within frame 2 by means of a seal member 4 formed of elastomeric material and is further sealed both on the interior and exterior of the aperature by an appropriate sealant, e.g. a mastic sealant, as indicated at 5 and 6 in Fig. 2 of the drawings.A corrugated cladding 7, for example having the profile shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, is suitably atttached to the outer face of the wall structure and is sealed to the outer face of frame 2 by means of a sealing member 8 formed of elastomeric material (such as neoprene rubber) and comprising a base portion 9 having an outwardly directed upstanding portion 10 having therein a groove within which the edge of the cladding 7 engages.

It is an important feature of the invention, that the sealing member 8 be of flexible elastomeric material since this makes it possible for it to be used with a wide variety of differently profiled or corrugated cladding sheets, that is it is not necessary to preform the seal to the profile of the cladding. Further, as will be appreciated, it is important that the seal be flexible in order to accommodate the complex variation in profile of the cladding where such cladding is cut in a curved line to meet the curved outer face of frame 2.

1. Means for mounting an aperture frame which is at least partly curvilinear in plan in a wall of a structure one face at least of which is clad with a profiled or corrugated sheet cladding material which comprises: an outer frame mounted in said wall and supporting and surrounding the aperture frame and which is similarly at least partly curvilinear in plan and has a generally planar surface normal to the plane of the aperture frame directed towards the or each face of the wall which is clad with the profile cladding material and extending beyond the outer plane of planar face of the cladding material; and a flexible sealing material formed of elastomeric material extending around and in contact with the planar face of the outer frame member and having in cross-section a generally planar base in contact with the planar face of the outer frame member and an outstanding portion extending away from said base and containing a groove formed therein which engages with the edge of the cladding surrounding the outer frame.

2. Means as claimed in claim 1 in which the aperture frame is a window frame.

3. Means as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore defined with reference to

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Windows This invention is conerned with improvements in and relating to windows and, more particularly, is concerned with improved instructions for sealing window frames in contact with sheet cladding on the face of a wall of a building. It is a common practice to clad a face, generally the outside face, of a wall of a building with a sheet material in order to obtain a weather proofing effect and, in order to render the cladding more attractive in appearance, it is known to use a profiled or corrugated cladding which presents a more attractive aspect than does a plain sheet of cladding. A problem arises when sealing the edges of the cladding at apertures in the wall of the building, such as doors or windows, to the frames defining such apertures. This problem is particularly acute when the apertures are not rectilinear, that is when the aperture has a curved portion, for example is circular or is of generally rectangular shape but with curved corners. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved construction for sealing such apertures which are not rectilinear in plan. According to the invention there is provided there is provided means for mounting an aperture frame (such as a window frame) which is at least partly curvilinear in plan in a wall of a structure one face at least of which is clad with a profiled or corrugated sheet cladding material which comprises: an outer frame mounted in said wall and supporting and surrounding the aperture frame and which is similarly at least partly curvilinear in plan and has a generally planar surface normal to the plane of the aperture frame directed towards the or each face of the wall which is clad with the profile cladding material and extending beyond the outer plane of planar face of the cladding material; and a flexible sealing material formed of elastomeric material extending around and in contact with the planar face of the outer frame member and having in cross-section a generally planar base in contact with the planar face of the outer frame member and an outstanding portion extending away from said base and containing a groove formed therein which engages with the edge of the cladding surrounding the outer frame. In order that the invention may be well understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a partial exploded view of an aperture frame, outer frame and cladding in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a partial cross-section through an aperture, outer frame and cladding. As shown in the drawings an aperture frame 1 (in this case a window frame) is supported in a wall of a structure by means of an outer frame 2 which is fixedly connected to the structure of the wall by means of a fixing member 3. Frame 1 is mounted within frame 2 by means of a seal member 4 formed of elastomeric material and is further sealed both on the interior and exterior of the aperature by an appropriate sealant, e.g. a mastic sealant, as indicated at 5 and 6 in Fig. 2 of the drawings.A corrugated cladding 7, for example having the profile shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, is suitably atttached to the outer face of the wall structure and is sealed to the outer face of frame 2 by means of a sealing member 8 formed of elastomeric material (such as neoprene rubber) and comprising a base portion 9 having an outwardly directed upstanding portion 10 having therein a groove within which the edge of the cladding 7 engages. It is an important feature of the invention, that the sealing member 8 be of flexible elastomeric material since this makes it possible for it to be used with a wide variety of differently profiled or corrugated cladding sheets, that is it is not necessary to preform the seal to the profile of the cladding. Further, as will be appreciated, it is important that the seal be flexible in order to accommodate the complex variation in profile of the cladding where such cladding is cut in a curved line to meet the curved outer face of frame 2. CLAIMS

1. Means for mounting an aperture frame which is at least partly curvilinear in plan in a wall of a structure one face at least of which is clad with a profiled or corrugated sheet cladding material which comprises: an outer frame mounted in said wall and supporting and surrounding the aperture frame and which is similarly at least partly curvilinear in plan and has a generally planar surface normal to the plane of the aperture frame directed towards the or each face of the wall which is clad with the profile cladding material and extending beyond the outer plane of planar face of the cladding material; and a flexible sealing material formed of elastomeric material extending around and in contact with the planar face of the outer frame member and having in cross-section a generally planar base in contact with the planar face of the outer frame member and an outstanding portion extending away from said base and containing a groove formed therein which engages with the edge of the cladding surrounding the outer frame.

2. Means as claimed in claim 1 in which the aperture frame is a window frame.

3. Means as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore defined with reference to the accompanying drawings.