GB2279101A

GB2279101A - Glazing gasket

Info

Publication number: GB2279101A
Application number: GB9410709A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Eric Crow; Frederick Alan Mathews; Steven Welsh
Original assignee: PARK RUBBER Ltd
Current assignee: PARK RUBBER Ltd
Priority date: 1993-05-28
Filing date: 1994-05-27
Publication date: 1994-12-21
Also published as: GB9410709D0; GB9311037D0

Abstract

A glazing gasket 10 comprises attachment means 12 which, in use, attach the gasket 10 to a frame member 14. A surface 16 which, in use, abuts a panel of glazing material, is adhesive to retain the panel in position relative to the frame. The surface 16 extends sufficiently from the attachment means 12 to have an edge 20 which, in use, provides a sight line for the panel. <IMAGE>

Description

Clazing Arrangements The present invention relates to glazing gaskets and glazing arrangements which comprise gaskets.

A conventional form of glazing arrangement uses a frame member, typically an extruded aluminium or plastic member, having a base and an upstand at the inner face of the window or door. The base and upstand define a rebate into which a panel of glazing material is introduced from outside the building. A bead is then snapped into place at the outer edge of the frame member, to hold the glazing panel in position.

For various manufacturing reasons, it is necessary to introduce the glazing panel from the outside.

However, a security problem has arisen in that it has been found possible to remove the glazing beads in order to remove the glazing panel and gain unauthorised access to the premises.

The invention seeks to provide a glazing arrangement and glazing gasket which represent improvements over the prior art.

According to the invention, there is provided a glazing gasket comprising attachment means which, in use, attach the gasket to a frame member, and a surface which, in use, abuts a panel of glazing material, the surface being adhesive in at least one region thereof whereby to retain the panel in position relative to the frame member during use, and wherein the surface has an edge which, in use, provides a sight line for the panel.

The gasket may comprise an extrusion, the adhesive surface being provided on the extrusion. The surface may be rendered adhesive by applying an adhesive material after extrusion. The surface may be rendered adhesive by applying a film of adhesive material. The surface may be rendered adhesive by applying a double-sided adhesive structure.

The gasket may comprise a resilient portion which resiliently couples the abutment surface and the attachment means. The resilient portion may comprise a sponge portion. The adhesive surface may be provided as a surface of the resilient portion. The attachment means may be provided at a second surface of the resilient portion. The resilient portion may extend sufficiently to provide the said sight line.

Preferably the resilient portion and the attachment means are formed by co-extrusion.

The attachment means may be so shaped as to provide a snap-fit attachment with second attachment means on the frame member.

The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a glazing gasket according to any of the preceding definitions, in which a body is formed by extrusion, and a surface of the body is rendered adhesive to provide the said adhesive surface.

Any of the features of the gasket set out above may be incorporated in the glazing gasket.

The invention also provides a glazing arrangement comprising a frame member, a panel of glazing material located, in use, in the frame member, and a glazing gasket which, in use, is located between the frame member and the glazing panel, the gasket comprising attachment means which, in use, attach the gasket to the frame member, and a surface which, in use, abuts the panel, the surface being adhesive in at least one region thereof whereby to retain the panel in position relative to the frame member during use, and where in the surface extends, in use, sufficiently across the panel to provide a sight line.

The glazing gasket of the glazing arrangement may incorporate any of the features of the glazing gasket set out above.

An embodiment of the glazing gasket, and a glazing arrangement in which the gasket is used, will now be described in more detail by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a partial section through a glazing arrangment according to the present invention and incorporating a glazing gasket in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 2 is a similar view showing only the glazing gasket, and on an enlarged scale.

Turning to the drawings, there is shown a glazing gasket 10 comprising attachment means 12 which, in use, attach the gasket 10 to a frame member 14, as will be described. A surface 16, which, in use, abuts a panel 18 of glazing material, is adhesive to retain the panel 18 in position relative to the frame 14. The surface 16 extends sufficiently from the attachment means 12 to have an edge 20 which, in use, provides a sight line for the panel 18.

The gasket 10 consists of three portions. In the centre, a resilient portion 22 is formed as a sponge layer. One surface of the sponge layer 22 provides the adhesive surface 16, which is rendered adhesive by the application of a film of adhesive material, such as a double-sided adhesive tape or other structure. The opposite face of the sponge layer 22 is provided with the attachment means 12 in the form of a backing plate 24 and a barbed foot 26.

The cross-section shown in Fig. 2 is substantially identical along substantially the whole length of the gasket 10. The sponge layer 22 may be an EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) sponge, preferably a soft closed cell sponge. The backing plate 24 and foot 26 are preferably rigid EPDM material. The sponge layer 22, backing plate 24 and barbed foot 26 are conveniently formed as a co-extrusion to which the adhesive at 16 is applied after extrusion.

The sponge layer 22 provides resilient coupling between the adhesive surface 16 and the attachment means 12, for reasons which will become apparent.

Turning more particularly to Fig. 1, the frame 14 comprises a base 30 and an upstand 32 at the inside edge of the frame 14. (The terms "base" and "upstand" carry implications of a particular orientation as shown in Fig.

1, but it is to be appreciated that the orientation will vary, for instance at each edge of a conventional square or rectangular window.

Near the free edge of the upstand 32, there is a groove 34. This has a mouth bounded by lips behind which the barbs on the foot 26 can engage after the barbed foot 26 has been pushed into the groove 34. Thus, a snap-fit attachment is provided between the barbed foot 26 and the groove 34. Once the foot 26-has been snapped into the groove 34, it will be impossible or difficult to remove it, particularly because the gasket will be secured along the whole of its length. The precise form of the foot 26 and groove 34 can be varied within the scope of the invention.

The upstand 32 and base 30 define a rebate 36 into which a glazing panel 18 can be introduced from outside the building. The panel is shown as a double glazed panel, but a single glazed, triple glazed or any other form of glazing panel could be used. The glazing material may be glass or plastic, for instance.

The adhesive surface 16 is exposed to the rebate 36 once the gasket 10 has been attached to the upstand 32 as described above. Consequently, when the panel 18 is introduced into the rebate 36, the adhesive surface 16 adheres to the inner surface 38 of the panel 18.

Installation is completed by clipping a bead 40 into complementary formations on the base 30. In order to clip the bead 40 in position, it is necessary to force the panel 18 further into the rebate 36 against the resilient resistance provided by the sponge 22. Thus, once the panel 18 has been locked in position by the bead 40, the sponge layer 22 will be in compression trying to force the panel 18 away from the upstand 32. This helps hold the bead 40 in position and also enhances adhesive contact between the surfaces 16 and 38.

It can be seen from Fig. 2 that the sponge 22 has a sloping surface 42 extending from the plate 24 to the edge 20. This surface 42 slopes from the top of the upstand 32 further away from the edge of the panel 18.

The surface 16 (but not necessarily the adhesive on it) also extends further in from the edge of the panel 18 than the upstand 32. The surface 16 meets the surface 42 at the edge 20. When the gasket 10 is under compression as described above, the edge 20 forms a sharp sight line from within the building. That is, the edge 20 provides a clear straight boundary to the panel 18 when viewed from within the building. This improves the aesthetic appearance of the glazing arrangement, which is further enhanced if the gasket is made from a black or dark material to provide a striking contrast at the edge 20 with any light being reflected from the panel 18.

The arrangement also provides enhanced security.

In the event of unauthorised removal of the bead 40, the adhesion between the surfaces 16 and 38, together with the attachment of the foot 26 in the groove 34 will serve to hold the panel in position, at least until the attachment with the groove or the adhesive properties are broken down. However, it should be noted that by making the attachment means 12 of a rigid EPDM material it is likely to be difficult or impossible to apply sufficient force to the panel 18 to break the attachment with the groove 34, which extends around substantially the entire periphery of the panel 18. Similarly, the adhesive surface 16 is provided around substantially the entire periphery, thus enhancing the adhesion provided.

Furthermore, by virtue of the fact that the surface 16 extends from the attachment means 12 sufficiently far to form a sight line at the edge 20, the total surface area of the surface 16 is increased thus allowing the adhesive force provided to be increased beyond that which could be provided if the edge 20 was nearer the edge of the panel 18. However, whether or not the whole surface 16 is required to be adhesive will depend on the forces which the glazing arrangement is required to resist. Thus, while the entire surface 16 is available for being rendered adhesive, it may not always be necessary to do so. The gasket shown in Fig. 2 has an adhesive film which finishes at a point 44, short of the edge 20.

Thus, the use of the gasket described above can be seen to provide enhanced aesthetics and performance for the glazing arrangment.

Many alterations and modifications can be made to the gasket and glazing arrangement described above. In particular, profiles, shapes, dimensions, relative dimensions and materials of the various components can all be varied according to the particular application envisaged.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims:-

1. A glazing gasket comprising attachment means which, in use, attach the gasket to a frame member, and a surface which, in use, abuts a panel of glazing material, the surface being adhesive in at least one region thereof whereby to retain the panel in position relative to the frame member during use, and wherein the surface has an edge which, in use, provides a sight line for the panel.

2. A glazing gasket according to Claim 1, comprising an extrusion.

3. A glazing gasket according to Claim 2, wherein the adhesive surface is provided on the extrusion.

4. A glazing gasket according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface is rendered adhesive by applying an adhesive material after extrusion.

5. A glazing gasket according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface is rendered adhesive by applying a film of adhesive material.

6. A glazing gasket according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface is rendered adhesive by applying a double-sided adhesive structure.

7. A glazing gasket according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a resilient portion which resiliently couples the abutment surface and the attachment means.

8. A glazing gasket according to Claim 7, wherein the resilient portion comprises a sponge portion.

9. A glazing gasket according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the adhesive surface is provided as a surface of the resilient portion.

10. A glazing gasket according to any of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the attachment means is provided at a second surface of the resilient portion.

11. A glazing gasket according to any of Claims 7 to 10, wherein the resilient portion extends sufficiently to provide the said sight line.

12. A glazing gasket according to any of Claims 7 to 11, wherein the resilient portion and the attachment means are formed by co-extrusion.

13. A glazing gasket according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment means is so shaped as to provide a snap-fit attachment with second attachment means on the frame member.

14. A method of manufacturing a glazing gasket according to any preceding claim, in which a body is formed by extrusion, and a surface of the body is rendered adhesive to provide the said adhesive surface.

15. A method according to Claim 14, wherein the gasket is formed with the features of a gasket as set out in any of Claims 1 to 13.

16. A glazing arrangement comprising a frame member, a panel of glazing material located, in use, in the frame member, and a glazing gasket which, in use, is located between the frame member and the glazing panel, the gasket comprising attachment means which, in use, attach the gasket to the frame member, and a surface which, in use abuts the panel, the surface being adhesive in at least one region thereof whereby to retain the panel in position relative to the frame member during use, and where in the surface extends, in use, sufficiently across the panel to provide a sight line.

17. A glazing arrangement according to Claim 16, wherein the gasket comprises the features set out in any of Claims 1 to 13.

18. A glazing gasket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A method of manufacturing a glazing gasket substantially as hereinbefore described.

20. A glazing arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding Claims.