GB2289081A

GB2289081A - Decorative glazing system

Info

Publication number: GB2289081A
Application number: GB9508976A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Stephen Baker
Original assignee: MAGNET Ltd
Current assignee: MAGNET Ltd
Priority date: 1994-05-04
Filing date: 1995-05-03
Publication date: 1995-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 2015-05-03
Also published as: GB2289081B; GB9508976D0

Abstract

A glazing system for an opening in a door frame comprises a glazing panel 19 sandwiched between a pair of masking panels 20, 21 having aligned openings 22 formed therein according to a desired glazing pattern wherein the opening 8 can be adapted to different glazing patterns by selecting and fitting the appropriate pair of masking panels 20, 21. <IMAGE>

Description

GLAZING SYSTEM This invention relates to glazing systems for doors and windows.

It is already known to provide glazed doors having different styles of glazing. Traditionally, openings of special size and shape have to be provided in the door according to the required glazing pattern and the glazing cut to match the openings.

The provision of such openings and glazing of special size and shape adds to manufacturing costs.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of this problem.

According to one aspect of the present invention we provide a glazing system for doors and windows comprising a glazing panel and a pair of masking panels, the masking panels having one or more openings formed therein according to a desired glazing pattern and being adapted for assembly in an opening in a door or window with the glazing panel positioned between the masking panels and the openings in the masking panels aligned to produce the desired glazing pattern.

By this invention, the opening in the door or window can be adapted to produce any desired glazing pattern by selection and fitment of the appropriate masking panels on opposite sides of the glazing panel. In this way, the desired glazing pattern is produced on both sides of the opening and a range of different glazing patterns can be obtained without cutting glazing to match openings of special shape in the door or window.

The glazing panel may comprise one or more panes of glass or plastic and may be clear or opaque.

The masking panels may be made of the same or different material as the door or window. For example, the masking panels may be moulded from a wood substitute such as medium density fibreboard (MDF) or plastic or expanded polystyrene.

The masking panels may be separated by spacer means extending around the periphery of the glazing panel to locate and support the glazing panel relative to the masking panels. In this way, damage to the glazing panel during installation is avoided and the glazing panel is prevented from moving relative to the masking panels.

The spacer means may comprise a wedge located and retained in a groove around the inner periphery of the opening. Preferably, the wedge is cut to length from an extrusion of the appropriate cross-section and has formations for locating and retaining the wedge in the groove.

The glazing panel may be sealed relative to the masking panels around the aligned openings. For example, a bead of sealant material may be applied to the masking panels around the openings.

The masking panels may be of reduced thickness around the periphery such that the overall thickness at the edge of the assembly of panels can be accommodated within the width of the opening in the door or window.

Advantageously, the glazing assembly is adapted for draining water from condensation on the inner face of the glazing panel to the exterior weatherside of the opening in which the glazing assembly is located in use.

Preferably, the opening has an external rebate in which the glazing assembly is received with a clearance space between a bottom edge of the glazing assembly and an opposed side wall of the rebate into which condensation may drain for discharge to the exterior weatherside.

Advantageously, the opposed side wall is inclined downwards towards the outer edge of the rebate so that water draining into the clearance space flows to the outer edge of the rebate for discharge to the exterior weatherside.

Preferably, the glazing assembly is retained by external beading and means is provided for locating the beading clear of the side wall along the bottom edge of the glazing assembly. In this way, the clearance space extends below the beading to the outer edge of the rebate.

The beading along the bottom edge of the glazing assembly preferably comprises a drip bead arranged to extend beyond and below the outer edge of the rebate. In this way, the outlet from the clearance space is concealed and protected to avoid water being blown back into the clearance space.

Advantageously, the locating means is provided by at least one packer block seated on the side wall of the rebate below the glazing assembly for creating the clearance space between the bottom edge of the glazing assembly and the rebate side wall. Where the side wall is inclined downwards, the underside of the packer block is similarly inclined so as to present a flat upper surface for the bottom edge of the glazing assembly.

Preferably, each packer block has a longitudinal flange on one side that extends towards the outer edge of the rebate to locate the external beading clear of the side wall along the bottom edge of the glazing assembly.

Preferably, condensation on the inner face of the glazing panel drains into the clearance space through a gap provided between the glazing panel and the inner masking panel at the bottom of the glazing assembly.

Advantageously, the gap extends for substantially the full width of the glazing assembly. In this way, substantially all of the water formed by condensation running down the inner face of the glazing panel is collected and drained into the clearance space at the bottom of the glazing assembly.

Preferably, the gap is provided with drain channels that open into the clearance space at spaced apart positions offset from the locating means.

In this way, the locating means does not interfere with the flow of water.

A gap opening to the clearance space may also be provided between the glazing panel and the outer masking panel if desired. As a result, water from rain impinging on the outer face of the glazing panel can drain into the clearance space for discharge to the exterior weatherside.

According to another aspect of the present invention, we provide a door or window having an opening therein, and a pair of masking panels having one or more aligned openings therein according to a desired glazing pattern located and retained in the opening with a glazing panel therebetween.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, we provide a kit of parts comprising a glazing panel and a pair of masking panels, the masking panels having one or more openings therein according to a desired glazing pattern for assembly in an opening in a door or window with the glazing panel therebetween and the openings aligned.

According to yet another aspect of the invention we provide a method of glazing an opening in a door or window to produce a desired glazing pattern, comprising providing a pair of masking panels having one or more openings therein according to a desired glazing pattern, locating the masking panels in the opening in the door or window with a glazing panel therebetween and securing the assembly of panels with the openings in the masking panels aligned.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1 shows a door with a glazing assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention as viewed from the inside; FIGURE 2 shows the door of Figure 1 as viewed from the outside with the glazing assembly removed; FIGURE 3 is a section, to an enlarged scale, on the line 3-3 of Figure 1; FIGURE 4 is a transverse section of the wedge shown in Figure 3; FIGURE 5 is a transverse section of an alternative wedge; FIGURE 6 is a rear view of a masking panel of the glazing assembly shown in Figures 1 to 4 with the application of sealant shown in outline; FIGURE 7 is a horizontal section through a vertical stile member of the door frame shown in Figures 1 to 6 depicting a modification to the glazing assembly; FIGURE 8 is a horizontal section through a vertical stile member of the door frame shown in Figures 1 to 6 depicting another modification to the glazing assembly; FIGURE 9 is a vertical section through a horizontal lower rail member of an opening in a door frame depicting a modification to the glazing assembly of Figure 8 for draining condensation; FIGURE 10 is an enlarged detail view showing the offset arrangement of the drain channels and packer blocks; and FIGURE 11 shows alternative masking panels for producing different glazing patterns.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings, a door is shown comprising a rectangular timber frame 1 assembled from horizontal and vertical frame members 2,3,4,5 connected together by doweled joints at the corners of the frame 1. The use of timber for the frame 1 is not essential however and other materials including metal or plastics such as PVCu may be employed.

The frame 1 is internally sub-divided by horizontal and vertical frame members 6,7 to form a rectangular opening 8 above frame member 6 and two identical smaller rectangular openings 9,10 separated by frame member 7 below frame member 6.

The inner side edge of the frame members 2,3,4,5,6,7 is of L-section with walls 11,12 that extend normal to each other to form an internal rebate 13 extending around the periphery of the upper opening 8 and internal rebates 14,15 extending around the periphery of the lower openings 9,10 respectively. The rebate 13 receives a glazing assembly 16 and the rebates 14,15 receive solid panels 17,18 respectively of medium density fibreboard (MDF) or other suitable material.

The glazing assembly 16 comprises a rectangular glazing panel 19 sandwiched between a pair of rectangular masking panels 20,21 formed with respective arrays of openings 22 according to a desired glazing pattern.

The glazing panel 19 may be clear or opaque and may comprise single or multiple panes of glass or any other glazing material including plastics.

The masking panels 20,21 may be moulded from a wood substitute such as MDF to match the timber frame but other materials including plastics may be used. The panels 20,21 may have a surface finish to simulate timber.

As best shown in Figure 3, each masking panel 20,21 has an edge flange 23 of reduced thickness contiguous with a planar rear surface 24 so that the overall thickness of the panels 19,20,21 at the periphery of the assembly 16 can be accommodated within the width of the rebate 13.

The rebate 13 is provided with a groove 25 formed in the wall 11 of the frame members 2,4,5,6 to receive a wedge 26 extending around the periphery of the opening 8. The wedge 26 secures the masking panel 20 against the wall 12 and locates and supports the glazing panel 19 between the masking panels 20,21.

The masking panel 21 is secured by internal beading 27 extending around the periphery of the opening 8 with the respective arrays of openings 22 in the masking panels 20,21 aligned to produce the required glazing pattern on both sides of the door.

As best shown in Figure 4, the wedge 26 has a plastics body 28 with a shoulder 29 and serrations 30 on one side for locating and retaining the wedge 26 in the groove 25 and rubber fins 31 on the other side for compressing the masking panel 20 against the wall 12. In a modification (Figure 5) the rubber fins 31 may be omitted and the shoulder 29 and serrations 30 provided on opposite sides of the body 28.

The wedge 26 is cut to the required length from a co-extruded plasticslrubber strip of the appropriate cross-section and is slightly thicker than glazing panel 19 so that the masking panels 20,21 are spaced apart to prevent the glazing panel 19 breaking when the masking panel 21 is secured.

As shown in dotted lines in Figure 6, a bead of sealant 32 may be applied to the rear surface 24 of both masking panels 20,21 to seal the glazing panel 19 around the aligned openings 22 in both panels 20,21. In addition, a bead of sealant may also be applied between the wall 12 and edge flange 23 of the masking panel 20, and between the edge flange 23 of the masking panel 21 and the internal beading 27. A suitable sealant for this purpose is silicone rubber.

With reference now to Figures 7 and 8, these show modifications to the above-described glazing system in which the groove 25 and wedge 26 are omitted and the glazing assembly 16 comprising the panels 19,20,21 is retained in the rebate 13 by the beading 27.

In Figure 7, the sealant 32 is located in rebates 33 formed around the edge of the openings 22 in the rear surface 24 of each masking panel 20,21 for sealing the glazing panel 19 around the aligned openings 22 and the glazing assembly 16 is sealed around the periphery by sealant 34. A suitable sealant for this purpose again being silicone rubber.

In Figure 8, the glazing panel 19 is secured around the peripheral edge to the rear surface 24 of each masking panel 20,21 by double sided adhesive tape 35 and the glazing assembly 16 is secured and sealed around the peripheral edge to the rear wall 12 of the rebate 13 by double sided adhesive tape 36. The glazing panel 19 may also be secured to the rear surface 24 of each masking panel 20,21 at spaced positions inwardly of the peripheral edge by double sided adhesive tape to prevent the glazing panel 19 rattling.

With reference now to Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings, a modification to the glazing system of Figure 8 is shown for draining condensation which forms on the inner face 37 of the glazing panel 19 to the exterior weatherside of the opening 8.

The opening 8 has an external rebate 38 in which the glazing assembly 16 is received and retained against the rear wall of the rebate 38 by external glazing beads (not shown) secured along both sides and the top of the opening 8 and by an external drip bead 39 secured along the bottom of the opening 8.

Along the bottom of the opening 8, the side wall of the rebate 38 is stepped having an inner portion 40 and a lower outer portion 41 connected to the inner portion 40 by a shoulder 42.

The inner portion 40 extends normal to the rear wall of the rebate 38 and the outer portion 41 is inclined relative to the inner portion 40 to provide an angled face 43 sloping downwards towards the outer edge 44 of the rebate 38.

The inner masking panel 20 is located and supported on the inner portion 40 and the glazing panel 19 and outer masking panel 21 are located and supported clear of the angled face 43 by four spaced apart packer blocks 45 seated on the outer portion 41 against the shoulder 42.

Each packer block 45 has a longitudinal flange 46 on the side of remote from the shoulder 42 that extends towards the outer edge 44 of the rebate 38 to locate and support the drip bead 39 clear of the angled face 43.

In this way, a chamber or clearance space 47 is formed within the rebate 38 under the bottom edge of the glazing assembly 16 which extends below the drip bead 39 to the outer edge 44 of the rebate 38 between the packer blocks 45.

A gap is formed between the glazing panel 19 and the inner masking panel 20 along the bottom edge of the glazing assembly 16 by arranging the glazing tape 35 to form three channels 48 of V-shape that extend across the width of the glazing panel 19 and open into the clearance space 47 between packer blocks 45.

As a result, water from condensation on the inner face 37 of the glazing panel 19 can escape through the channels 48 into the clearance space 47 from where it is discharged at the outer edge 44 of the rebate 38 to the exterior weatherside of the door below the drip bead 39.

The flow of water is facilitated by the offset arrangement of the packer blocks 45 and channels 48 and by the inclination of the angled face 43 of the outer portion 41 of the side wall of the rebate 38.

The drip bead 39 projects beyond and extends below the outer edge 44 of the rebate 38 to allow ventilation of the clearance space 47 but prevent water entering the clearance space 47 from the exterior weatherside of the opening 8. For such ventilation, the V-shaped channels 48 restrict any backflow of water and reduce any draughts to the interior.

In a modification (not shown), the glazing tape 35 between the glazing panel 19 and the inner masking panel 20 may be omitted to form a single channel across the width of the glazing panel 19 through which water from condensation on the inner face 39 of the glazing panel 19 can escape into the clearance space 47.

In a further modification (not shown), the glazing tape 35 between the glazing panel 19 and the outer masking panel 21 at the bottom of the glazing assembly can be omitted or arranged to form V-shaped channels for draining water from rain impinging on the outer face of the glazing panel 19 into the clearance space 47.

It will be realised from the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the Invented glazing system that the openings in the masking panels can be arranged to provide any desired glazing pattern for adapting the opening in the door frame to a wide range of different styles of glazing in a simple manner by selection and fitment of masking panels with the appropriate aligned openings on opposite sides of the glazing panel.

Examples of different types of glazing pattern are shown in Figure 11.

As will be appreciated, the glazing assembly matches the size and shape of the opening in the frame so that no special tools or skills are required to fit the glazing assembly and complex glazing patterns can be produced without cutting the glazing material to match the size and shape of the aligned openings in the masking panels. As a result, the glazing assembly can be fitted by non-skilled persons such as DIY enthusiasts.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described. For example, the door frame may have more than one opening with a glazing assembly being provided for each opening.

The or each opening in the door frame may be of any desired shape although rectangular is the preferred shape for construction of the door frame by conventional methods.

Although the invention has been described with reference to doors it will be understood that the invention may also be applied to windows. For example, an opening in a window may be adapted to a desired glazing pattern by an assembly of masking and glazing panels as above-described.

Thus, the invention is deemed to include doors for buildings including internal or external doors, doors for cabinets or cupboards, windows for buildings including fixed lights, openings lights, side lights or fan lights, and windows for the construction of verandas, conservatories or the like.

Claims

Claims:

1. A glazing system for doors and windows comprising a glazing panel and a pair of masking panels, the masking panels having one or more openings formed therein according to a desired glazing pattern and being adapted for assembly in an opening in a door or window with the glazing panel positioned between the masking panels and the openings in the masking panels aligned to produce the desired glazing pattern.

2. A glazing system according to Claim 1 wherein the glazing panel and masking panels are rectangular for assembly in a corresponding rectangular opening in the door or window.

3. A glazing system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the glazing panel comprises one or more panes of glass or plastic.

4. A glazing system according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the glazing panel is clear or opaque.

5. A glazing system according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the masking panels are made of the same material or a material which simulates the material of the door or window.

6. A glazing system according to Claim 5 wherein the masking panels are moulded from a wood substitute such as medium density fibreboard (MDF) or plastic or expanded polystyrene.

7. A glazing system according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the masking panels are separated by spacer means extending around the periphery of the glazing panel to locate and support the glazing panel relative to the masking panels.

8. A glazing system according to Claim 7 wherein the spacer means comprises a wedge located and retained in a groove around the inner periphery of the opening.

9. A glazing system according to Claim 8 wherein the wedge is a push-fit in the groove and has formations for locating and retaining the wedge in the groove.

10. A glazing system according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the glazing panel is sealed relative to the masking panels around the aligned openings.

11. A glazing system according to Claim 10 wherein sealant material is applied to the opposed faces of the masking panels around the aligned openings.

12. A glazing system according to Claim 11 wherein the sealant material is located in respective recesses formed in the opposed faces of the asking panels around the aligned openings.

13. A glazing system according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the masking panels are of reduced thickness around the periphery.

14. A glazing system according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the assembly of the glazing panel and masking panels is adapted for draining water from condensation on the inner face of the glazing panel to the exterior weatherside of the opening in which the glazing assembly is located in use.

15. A glazing system according to Claim 14 wherein the opening in the door or window has an external rebate in which the glazing assembly is received with a clearance space between a bottom edge of the glazing assembly and an opposed side wall of the rebate into which condensation can drain for discharge to the exterior weatherside.

16. A glazing system according to Claim 15 wherein the opposed side wall is inclined downwards towards the outer edge of the rebate so that water draining into the clearance space can flow to the outer edge of the rebate for discharge to the exterior weatherside.

17. A glazing system according to Claim 15 or Claim 16 wherein the glazing assembly is retained by external beading and means is provided for locating the beading clear of the side wall along the bottom edge of the glazing assembly.

18. A glazing system according to Claim 17 wherein the beading along the bottom edge of the glazing assembly comprises a drip bead arranged to extend beyond and below the outer edge of the rebate.

19. A glazing system according to Claim 17 or Claim 18 wherein the locating means is provided by at least one packer block seated on the side wall of the rebate below the glazing assembly for creating the clearance space between the bottom edge of the glazing assembly and the rebate side wall.

20. A glazing system according to Claim 19 wherein each packer block has a longitudinal flange on one side that extends towards the outer edge of the rebate to locate the external beading clear of the side wall along the bottom edge of the glazing assembly.

21. A glazing system according to Claim 19 or Claim 20 wherein condensation on the inner face of the glazing panel drains into the clearance space through a gap provided between the glazing panel and the inner masking panel at the bottom of the glazing assembly.

22. A glazing system according to Claim 21 wherein the gap extends for substantially the full width of the glazing assembly.

23. A glazing system according to Claim 22 wherein the gap is provided with drain channels that open into the clearance space at spaced apart positions offset from the packer blocks.

24. A glazing system according to any one of Claims 21 to 23 wherein a further gap opening to the clearance space is provided between the glazing panel and the outer masking panel through which water on the outer face of the glazing panel can drain into the clearance space for discharge to the exterior weatherside.

25. A door or window having an opening therein, and a pair of masking panels having one or more aligned openings therein according to a desired glazing pattern located and retained in the opening with a glazing panel therebetween.

26. A kit of parts comprising a glazing panel and a pair of masking panels, the masking panels having one or more openings therein according to a desired glazing pattern for assembly in an opening in a door or window with the glazing panel therebetween and the openings aligned.

27. A method of glazing an opening in a door or window to produce a desired glazing pattern, comprising providing a pair of masking panels having one or more openings therein according to a desired glazing pattern, locating the masking panels in the opening in the door or window with a glazing panel therebetween and securing the assembly of panels with the openings in the masking panels aligned.

28. A glazing system for doors and windows substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

29. A glazing system for doors and windows substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings as modified by Figure 7 or Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.

30. A glazing system for doors and windows substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings as modified by Figures 8,9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.

31. A glazing system for doors and windows substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings as modified by Figure 11 of the accompanying drawings.