GB2254873A

GB2254873A - Two part mullion for coupling window frames

Info

Publication number: GB2254873A
Application number: GB9107689A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Christopher Webster
Original assignee: Anglian Windows Ltd
Current assignee: Anglian Windows Ltd
Priority date: 1991-04-11
Filing date: 1991-04-11
Publication date: 1992-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2011-04-11
Also published as: GB9107689D0; GB2254873B

Abstract

Two glazed frames (10, 12) for windows, doors or conservatories are coupled together by means of a two part mullion (14, 16), each part of which is initially secured (24) to a respective one of the frames, and the two frames, one already installed, are then relatively displaced to interengage the two parts of the mullion with a relative sliding action, thereby to couple the two frames together. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements in Glazed Building Structures This invention relates generally to glazed building structures such as windows and doors and conservatories and more particularly to the mullions or transoms which serve as interconnecting members between adjacent glazed frames of windows, doors or conservatories, for convenience and without limitation referred to hereinafter as window frames.

A mullion is a vertical interconnecting member which is located between two side-by-side window frames. A transom is a horizontal interconnecting member between two window frames one above the other.

This invention is applicable to mullions and transoms, but hereinafter only mullions will be referred to, although it will be understood that this is for convenience only and is not intended to have limitative effect.

A mullion is designed to meet specified wind and strut loadings in an area of glazing. Typically therefore, in the case of UPVC window frames, for example, the mullion is a metal member, for example of aluminium or steel, to which the frames are secured by fixing screws. Fixing is achieved by inserting the screws through the window frame from the inside, and screwing into the mullion. This means that, if the window frame is pre-glazed, the glass has to be removed to enable the screw fixing to be effected. Generally, moreover, the opening in the frame through which the screw has been inserted has to be suitably sealed and concealed.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved mullion construction and a method of interconnecting window frames using such a mullion, whereby the disadvantages of known mullions and interconnection methods are substantially overcome.

According to one aspect of the present invention, therefore, there is provided a mullion formed in two parts adapted to be secured to respective window frames to be coupled together, the two parts of the mullion also being adapted to interengage one another in order to couple the two window frames together.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of coupling two window frames together, according to which the two parts of a two part mullion are secured to the respective frames and the two mullion parts are interengaged with one another to coupLe the two frames together.

The two parts of the mullion are preferably adapted to interengage with a relative sliding action, either in a direction parallel to the plane of the window frames or, more preferably, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the window frames.

Preferably, the two parts of the mullion have regions which interengage laterally beyond the plane of the window frames to form a mullion head at which the two mullion parts are secured together, as by self-tapping screws or pop rivets.

In an embodiment, mullion heads are so formed on both sides of the plane of the window frame, and the mullion parts are secured together at both heads. In this way, relative movement between the two parts of the mullion is positively prevented, even under substantial wind loading. However, because the securement is effected at the mullion heads, removal of glass from pre-glazed frames is not necessary.

Subsequently, the mullion heads are, in the case of UPVC window frames, for example, concealed by a clip-on UPVC cover.

Conveniently, each mullion part is at least partially flat faced on one side to enable the two mullion parts to abut flatly against one another, whilst on its other side it has a profiled surface at least partially matching the exterior profile of the window frame to which it is secured.

In a general way, the more the mullion is profiled to match the exterior profile of the window frame, and the thicker the mullion at its profiled regions, the higher the wind and strut loading that can be withstood. By producing mullion parts of two types, one more profiled and thicker than the other, it is possible to achieve three mullion strengths, respectively obtained by using two mullion parts of one type, one mullion part of each type, and two mullion parts of the other type. In this way, specified wind and strut loadings can generally be efficiently met without the need, as is usual, f6r metal reinforcement of the window frames adjacent the mullion.

Mullion parts as aforesaid are preferably produced of extruded aluminium.

The mullion and method of window frame coupling in accordance with the invention are exemplified in the following description, making reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows two window frames coupled by a composite mullion of one type; Figure 2 shows two window frames coupled by a composite member of a second type; Figure 3 shows two window frames coupled by a hybrid composite mullion; and Figure 4 shows two vertical sliding windows coupled by a further embodiment of composite mullion.

Referring to Figure 1, there are shown two UPVC window frames 10, 12 coupled by a two part mullion 14, 16. The two parts 14 and 16 of the mullion are formed by identical aluminium extrusions.

Each part of the mullion 14 or 16 has on one side flat surface areas 18 at which the two parts abut, and on its other side a profiled surface, formed by solid ribs 20 and a hollow rib 22, generally matching the exterior profile of the adjacent window frame 10 or 12 to which it is secured by peel type rivetting 24. This peel rivetting is carried out in the factory.

Outside the plane of the window frames, on both sides thereof, the two parts of the mullion 14, 16 interengage by means of a hook formation 25 on one part and a shaped lip 26 on the other part, thereby to form mullion heads which, after installation of the two window frames, are concealed by clip-on UPVC covers 28.

The two window frames 10, 12 are produced in the factory each with its mullion part 14, 16 rivetted thereto. The frames may be pre-glazed, if desired. At the site of installation, one frame is installed first, and then the second frame is installed by pushing it into position generally in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the frames, so that the two parts 14, 16 of the mullion slidingly interengage at the regions 25, 26. The heads of the composite mullion thus formed are then secured together by self-tapping screws or peel type rivets, as indicated at 30. No removal of glass is necessary is the frames are preglazed. Finally, the covers 28 are press fitted in place.

The composite mullion 14, 16 is designed to meet specified wind and strut loadings. Lesser wind and strut loadings can be met by use of the modified two part mullion shown in Figure 2,wherein similar reference numerals to those of Figure 1 are employed. Each part 14A, 16A of the mullion is similar to the parts 14, 16 of Figure 1, except that the solid ribs 20 are omitted and the hook 25A and lip 26A are thinner.

Figure 3 shows that, in order to meet intermediate wind and strut loadings, a composite mullion can be formed by one part 14 of the type described with reference to Figure 1 and one part 16A of the type described with reference to Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a composite mullion formed in two parts 40, 42 used to couple together the frames 44, 46 of two sliding windows.

The two parts of the mullion are identically formed of aluminium or steel, each with flat surface areas 48, a wide central hollow rib 59, and interengaging regions 52, 54 which, when engaged, form mullion heads outside the plane of the window frames 44, 46. Each part of the mullion is factory secured to one of the frames, as indicated by screws 56. At the site of installation, having installed the first frame, the second frame is coupled to it by pushing it into position generally in the plane of the frames, so as to slidingly engage the regions 52, 54 of the two parts of the mullion, which are then secured by self-tapping screws 58. The heads of the mullion are then concealed by clip-on covers 60.

Various modifications of the above-described and illustrated arrangements are possible within the scope of the invention hereinbefore defined.

Claims

1. A mullion (as hereinbefore defined) formed in two parts adapted to be secured to respective window frames (as hereinbefore defined) to be coupled together, the two parts of the mullion also being adapted to interengage one another in order to couple the two window frames together.

2. A mullion as claimed in claim 1, in which the two parts thereof are adapted to interengage with a relative sliding action, in a direction parallel to or in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the window frames.

3. A mullion as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the two parts thereof have regions which interengage laterally beyond the plane of the window frames to form a mullion head at which the two mullion parts are secured together, as by self-tapping screws or pop rivets.

4. A mullion as claimed in claim 3, in which mullion heads are formed on both sides of the plane of the window frame, and the mullion parts are secured together at both heads.

5. A mullion was claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in combination with a clip-on cover for concealing the or each mullion head.

6. A mullion as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which each mullion part is at least partially flat faced on one side to enable the two mullion parts to abut flatly against one another, whilst on its other side it has a profiled surface at least partially matching the exterior profile of the window frame to which it is secured.

7. A mullion as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in which the parts thereof are made of extruded aluminium.

8. A method of coupling together two window frames (as hereinbefore defined), according to which the two parts of a two part mullion are secured to the respective frames and the two mullion parts are interengaged with one another to couple the two frames together.

9. A method according to claim 8, according to which, after installation of one window frame having one mullion part fixed thereto, the other window frame with the other mullion part secured thereto is moved relative to the installed frame in a direction parallel to or perpendicular to the plane of the frames in order to interengage the two mullion parts with a relative sliding action.

10. A method according to claim 8 or claim 9, according to which the window frames are pre-glazed.

11. A method according to any of claims 8 to 10, according to which a selection of compatible mullion parts adapted to withstand a specific wind loading is made, and the selected parts are secured to the two window frames.

12. A two part mullion (as hereinbefore defined) substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of coupling together two window frames (as hereinbefore defined) substantially as hereinbefore described.