GB2070117A - Condensation drainage strip - Google Patents

Abstract

A drainage strip (12) for fitting into a rebate (11) in a frame structure (10), comprising an elongate member having a base portion (13) provided with a flange (14) which is fitted to the rebate (11), the base portion (13) having a channel section member (16) having side walls (17) and (18) between which the bottom edge portion of a pane of glass is received, the side wall (18) being spaced from the flange (14) to define a channel (20) into which condensate running down the inside face of the window can flow and be drained to the outside of the window through a hole or holes (21). Alternatively the channel member is replaced by a rectangular section member for supporting a metal window frame (23). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Condensation drainage strip This invention relates to a drainage strip for fitting into a rebate in a frame structure, particularly a window frame or door frame, in order to collect and drain condensation.

Condensation which forms on the inside face of doors and windows tends to run down the inside face and collect in pools of condensate on the window sill or floor lying immediately below the window or door frame and if such condensate is not removed it soaks into the window sill or floor and into the frame when they are formed of wood and can rot the wood. It is usual to place some absorbent means, such as cloths, on the sill or floor in order to soak up the condensate and this is a messy and time consuming job.

The present invention aims to provide a drainage strip which can collect condensate and drain it to the outer side of the window or door where it will evaporate.

According to the present invention there is provided a drainage strip for fitting into a rebate in a frame structure for draining condensation from the inner side of the frame structure to the outer side of the frame structure, said strip comprising an elongate member having a base portion for seating on the base of the rebate, said base portion having an upstanding flange extending along one side edge thereof, a channel section member or rectangular section member provided on said base portion and spaced from the upstanding flange to form with said flange a condensate receiving channel open at its upper end, and at least one transversely extending drainage hole being provided in said channel section member or rectangular section member which communicates with the condensate receiving channel for draining condensate from the receiving channel to the outer side of the channel section member or rectangular section member.

Preferably the channel section member has resilient side walls for sealing against the sides of a pane of glass when the bottom edge portion of a pane of glass is received in the channel section member.

Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section through a first embodiment of a drainage strip according to the present invention, and Figure 2 is a cross-section through a second embodiment of a drainage strip according to the present invention.

The embodiment shown in Figure 1 is suitable for fitting to a window frame having a bottom rail 10 provided with a rebate 1 The drainage strip 12 has a base portion 13 whose underside is preferably serrated or ribbed so as to key to a sealing substance provided on the rebate 11 prior to the strip 12 being fitted into the rebate 1 1.

Upstanding from the upper surface of the base portion 13 and extending along one side edge thereof is a flange 14 which at its upper end is turned back on itself to form a downwardly extending flange portion 15 which contacts the upper face of the bottom rail 10 of the frame. The base portion 13 has a downwardly extending flange 13a.

Upstanding from the upper face of the base portion 13 is a channel section portion 16 having flexible side walls 17 and 18 and a base portion 19. The channel section portion 16 is integral with the base portion 13. The side wall 18 is spaced from the flange 14 to define a channel 20 which is open at its upper end. The side walls 17 and 18 are inclined towards each other but due to their flexible nature they can be forced apart at their upper end so as to receive between them a pane of glass and each wall is then resiliently urged against the adjacent face of the pane of glass to sealagainst the respect face.

The base portion 19 is provided with at least one transversely extending drainage hole 21 which communicates with the bottom of the channel 20.

The size and number of drainage holes 21 will be chosen to give adequate drainage from the channel 20. If desired a strip of absorbent material 22 can be provided in the channel 20 to act as a barrier to prevent or substantially reduce air-flow from the outerside of the window to the innerside of the window through the hole or holes 21 and channel 20.

The drainage strip 12 extends for the full length of the rebate 11 and if desired can be fixed to the rail 10 by screws or pins (not shown) extending through the flange 13a of the base portion 13 and flange portion 15. Preferably the strip 12 is formed of plastics material and can be manufactured by being extruded.

In use of the strip 12 any condensation on the inside surface of the pane of glass will run down the pane and be collected in the channel 20 from where it will flow through the drainage hole or holes 21 to the outside and evaporate. Preferably the upper surface of the base portion 13 is inclined towards the outer edge of the base portion to allow the condensate to flow through the hole or holes 21. The drainage strip 12 prevent condensate collecting in pools on the window sill.

In an alternative embodiment the strip 12 may be formed of metal, such as extruded aluminium, and the side walls 17 and 18 provided with a flexible seal for sealing against the pane of glass.

The base portion 1 9 of the channel 1 6 can if desired be provided with at least one vertical drainage hole which communicates the base of the channel and with a drainage hole 21.

It will be appreciated that in use the condensate is drained to the outside beneath the bottom edge of the pane of glass. Instead of forming the drainage strip 12 in one piece it can be formed in two or more parts which can be fitted or secured together when in position in order to enable the drainage strip to be fitted to existing glazing. Preferably it can be formed in three parts which can be secured one to another by an adhesive or solvent welding substance. A tool will be used to enlarge the bottom rebate with the glass left in situ.

The dimensions of the drainage strip will vary according to the size of the rebate and thickness of the pane of glass.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment for use with metal windows in wooden frames. The metal frame of the window is indicated at 23 and the bottom rail of the wooden frame at 24. In this embodiment the channel section portion 16 is replaced by a hollow rectangular section member 25 which has an upwardly extending flange 26 which forms the second rebate normally provided when metal frames are installed in wooden frames or surrounds. The inner face of the member 25 is spaced from the flange 14 to form the channel 20 as in Figure 1. The hollow rectangular section member 25 can be reinforced by an internal reinforcing member 26 if desired.

It will be appreciated that the member 25 instead of being hollow may comprise a solid rectangular section member.

The base portion 19 shown in Figure 1 may be hollow with holes provided in the base of the channel 16 being offset with respect to holes in the side wall portions of the hollow base portion 19.

The embodiment of Figure 1 can be located in the bottom rebate of a metal casement if desired.

Claims (14)

1. A drainage strip for fitting into a rebate in a frame structure for draining condensation from the inner side of the frame structure to the outer side of the frame structure, said strip comprising an elongate member having a base portion for seating on the base of the rebate, said base portion having an upstanding flange extending along one side edge thereof, a channel section member or rectangular section member provided on said base portion and spaced from the upstanding flange to form with said flange a condensate receiving channel open at its upper end, and at least one transversely extending drainage hole being provided in said channel section member or rectangular section member which communicates with the condensate receiving channel for draining condensate from the receiving channel to the outer side of the channel section member or rectangular section member.

2. A drainage strip as claimed in claim 1, in which the channel section member has resilient side walls for sealing against the sides of a pane of glass when the bottom edge portion of a pane of glass is received in the channel section member.

3. A drainage strip as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the base of the channel section member is provided with at least one drainage hole which communicates with a transversely extending drainage hole.

4. A drainage strip as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the base of the channel section member is hollow and has holes in the base of the channel which are offset with respect to holes in the side walls of the hollow base.

5. A drainage strip as claimed in claim 1, in which the rectangular section member is provided with an upstanding flange forming a rebate.

6. A drainage strip as claimed in claim 1 or claim 5, in which the rectangular section member is hollow.

7. A drainage strip as claimed in claim 6, in which the hollow rectangular section member is reinforced.

8. A drainage strip as claimed in any preceding claim in which the upper end of the flange provided on the base portion is turned back so that when the strip is received in the rebate the turned back portion contacts the upper surface of the frame member.

9. A drainage strip as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the underside of the base portion is ribbed or serrated.

10. A drainage strip as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the base portion has downwardly extending flange.

11. A drainage strip as claimed in any preceding claim formed by extrusion of plastics material.

12. A drainage strip as claimed in any preceding claim formed in two or more separate parts which can be secured together.

1 3. A drainage strip for fitting into a rebate in a frame member for draining condensation from the inner side of the frame to the outer side of the frame, substantially as herein before described and as illustrated in Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanaying drawing.

14. A rebated frame member provided with a drainage strip as claimed in any preceding claim.