WO2007070916A1

WO2007070916A1 - Window sash and window assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2007070916A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/001520
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shannon Anthony Boshell; David Andrew Hills
Original assignee: Stegbar Pty Limited
Priority date: 2005-12-21
Filing date: 2006-10-16
Publication date: 2007-06-28

Abstract

A window sash (1) comprises a sash frame (2) and a glass pane (3). The rear face (3b) of the glass pane (3) is bonded to the front face (2a) of the sash frame (2). The glass pane (3) is secured to the sash frame (2) by bonding only. The rear face (3b) of the glass pane (3) extends beyond the sash frame (2) about the entire periphery of the sash frame (2). A window assembly includes a window frame (100) having a vertically extending pair of opposing outer frame elements (101, 102) and a horizontally extending pair of opposing outer frame elements (103, 104), and one or more intermediate frame elements (105, 106, 107) dividing the window frame (100) into individual lights. A window sash (1) is located in each of the lights and mounted to the window frame (100). The rear face (3b) of each glass pane (3) extends over a front face of each adjacent outer/intermediate frame element.

Description

WINDOW SASH AND WINDOW ASSEMBLY

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of windows, and particularly relates to a window sash and a window assembly comprising a window frame on which are mounted such window sashes.

Background of the Invention Window assemblies generally comprise a window frame in which are mounted one or more window sashes, each comprising a glass pane mounted on a sash frame. The window frame and sash frame are typically formed of aluminium extrusions or timber.

When timber frames are utilised in residential applications, the edges of each glass pane are typically mounted on the sash frame within a rebate extending around the inner periphery of the front face of the sash frame. The glass pane is typically bonded to a forward facing surface of the rebate and a timber glazing bead secured to an inwardly facing surface of the rebate, butted against the front face of the glass pane so as to secure the glass pane between the timber bead and the sash frame.

In residential applications where aluminium frames are utilised, the glass pane is generally located in a rebate in the sash frame in a similar manner as described above, with the use of rubber glazing wedges around the edges of the glass to separate the glass from the aluminium frame. A glazing bead retains the glass pane in a similar manner as described above. Alternatively, the edges of the glass pane may be received in a slot extending around the inner periphery of the sash frame, with the sash frame being assembled about the glass pane so as to permanently secure the glass pane within the sash frame. Again, rubber glazing wedges are utilised to separate the aluminium sash frame and the glass pane.

In all of the above described sashes, the sash frame extends around the outer periphery of the glass pane, and projects forward of the glass pane. Accordingly, in any window assembly comprising one or more such sashes, the sash frame remains highly visible from the exterior of the building in which the window assembly is mounted. Multi-light window assemblies, comprising multiple sashes located side by side or one above the other within the window frame, have vertically extending mullions and horizontally extending transoms separating the individual sashes, with such mullions and transoms again protruding forward of the individual glass panes (and generally forward of the sash frames) and separating the sash frames. The visibility of the sash frames, mullions and transoms can significantly detract from the visual appearance of the window assembly, depending upon the look that is desired. Further, the sash frames, mullions and transoms remain exposed to the exterior of the building, leaving them subject to deterioration from the elements and subject to attack from intruders seeking to gain entry to the building though the window assembly.

In commercial applications, window systems typically referred to as "curtain walling" have been proposed, which bond the glass panes to the exterior face of a frame. Such assemblies, however, often require additional mechanical fixing of the glass panes, resulting in at least some structural frame elements protruding beyond, or at least extending between adjacent glass panes. Further, such commercial applications are understood to have been restricted to aluminium frames only.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or at least substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention

There is disclosed herein a window sash comprising: a sash frame having a front face; a glass pane having a rear face lying in a first plane, said rear face of said glass pane being bonded to said front face of said sash frame, said glass pane being secured to said sash frame by bonding only, wherein said rear face of said glass pane extends in said first plane beyond said sash frame about the entire periphery of said sash frame.

Typically, said sash frame is formed of a timber material and a strip of metallic material secured to said timber material and forming at least part of said front face of said sash frame, said rear face of said glass pane being bonded to said strip of metallic material by way of a flowable adhesive. The flowable adhesive will generally be a silicone based adhesive.

Typically, said metallic material is an aluminium material.

Typically, said rear face of said glass pane is further bonded to said strip of metallic material by way of a double sided adhesive tape extending around an inner periphery of said flowable adhesive. Typically, a peripheral region of said rear face of said glass pane is provided with an opaque surface coating such that said front face of said sash frame is not visible through said glass pane.

There is further disclosed herein a window assembly comprising: a window frame having a vertically extending pair of opposing outer frame elements, a horizontally extending pair of opposing outer frame elements and one or more intermediate frame elements each extending between a said pair of opposing outer frame elements, dividing said window frame into individual lights; and a window sash as defined in above located in each of said lights and mounted to said window frame; wherein said rear face of each said glass pane extends over a front face of each adjacent said outer/intermediate frame element.

Typically, each said intermediate frame element is located entirely behind said first plane of each adjacent said glass pane. Typically, at least one of said window sashes is mounted to said window frame so as to be operable between a closed position and an open position.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of said window sashes is operable as an awning or casement window.

Typically, at least one of said sashes is fixed to said window frame in a closed position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a window sash.

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the window sash of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation view of the window sash of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the window sash of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the window sash of Figure 1 taken through section 5-5.

Figure 6 is a front elevation view of a multi-light window frame.

Figure 7 is a front elevation view of a window assembly including six window sashes of Figure 1 mounted to the window frame of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a side elevation view of the window assembly of Figure 6 with an operable awning sash in the open position. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the window assembly of Figure 7 taken through section 9-9.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the window assembly of Figure 7 taken through section 10-10. Figure 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the window assembly of

Figure 7 depicting the relationship between a sash and the head of the window frame.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view depicting the arrangement of adjacent sashes and a mullion of the window frame.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings, a window sash 1 comprises a sash frame 2 and a glass pane 3. Referring particularly to Figure 3, the sash frame 2 comprises four sash frame elements, being a horizontally extending upper rail 4 and an opposing horizontally extending lower rail 5 that is joined to the upper rail 4 by opposing vertically extending stiles 6, 7.

Referring now in particular to Figure 5, the glass pane 3 has a front face 3 a and a rear face 3b. The sash frame 2 has a front face 2a defined by the front faces of each of the upper rail 4, lower rail 5 and stiles 6, 7. The rear face 3b of the glass pane 3 is bonded to the front face 2a of the sash frame 2 by way of a flowable, structural silicone based adhesive 8 and a double sided adhesive tape 9 that extends around the inner periphery of the silicone based adhesive 8. The sash frame 2 is typically formed of a timber material. Silicone based adhesives, however, do not generally provide a durable bond with timber material. To ensure a strong and durable bond between the silicone based adhesive 8 and the sash frame 2, a strip 10 of metallic material is secured to the front of the timber structure of the sash frame 2, typically by driving fasteners through the strip 10 of metallic material into the underlying timber material. The strip 10 of metallic material thus forms part of the front face 2a of the sash frame 2. The strip of metallic material will typically be formed of four individual elements, one each secured to the front of the timber structure of the upper and lower rails 4, 5 and stiles 6, 7. The strip of metallic material 10 will typically be formed as an aluminium extrusion.

The double sided tape 9 functions to provide an initial bond between the glass pane 3 and the aluminium strip 10 whilst the silicone based adhesive 8 cures. The strip also provides a dam preventing the silicone based adhesive 8 being extruded between the glass pane 3 and sash pane 2 and across the rear face 3 a of the glass pane 3 between the individual elements of the sash frame 2. During fabrication of the sash 1, the aluminium strip 10 is first fastened to the front of the timber structure of each element of the sash frame 2. The aluminium strip 10 is formed with a bend to enable it to sit in a recess 11 formed in the front of the timber structure of each element of the sash frame 2. The recess 11 has a depth selected based on the thickness of the double sided tape 9, which will typically have a thickness greater than the preferred thickness of the silicone based adhesive 8 when cured. The double sided tape 9 is adhered to the aluminium strip 10 in the recess 11, extending about the front face 2a of the sash frame, in each individual sash frame element 4, 5, 6, 7. A generous bead of silicone based adhesive 8 is then run along the outer region of the aluminium strip 10. The glass pane 3 is then pressed into position over the front face 2a of the sash frame 2, extruding the flowable silicone based adhesive 8. The silicone based adhesive 8 is then allowed to cure.

The glass pane 3 is both taller and broader than the sash frame 2 and is arranged on the sash frame 2 such that the rear face 3b of the glass pane 3 extends in the first plane beyond the sash frame 2 about the entire periphery of the sash frame 2. That is, the glass pane 3 overhangs the sash frame 2 beyond each of the sash frame elements 4, 5, 6, 7.

Given that the visual appearance of the adhesive 8, doubled sided tape 9 and remaining non-bonded portion of the sash frame front face 2a will not be particularly attractive, an outer region of the rear face 3b of the glass pane 3 will typically be provided with an opaque surface coating 12 which may be applied by screen printing. As is particularly apparent from Figure 1, a neat consistent appearance is thus provided.

The opaque surface coating 12 is applied in a manner such that the front face 2a of the sash frame 2 is not visible through the glass pane 3.

Referring to Figure 6, a window frame 100 generally comprises a pair of opposing vertically extending outer frame elements 101, 102, generally referred to as jambs and a pair of opposing horizontally extending outer frame elements 103, 104 generally referred to as a head 103 and sill 104 respectively. The jambs 101, 102, head 103 and sill 104 define the outer periphery of the window frame 100. The window frame 100 further comprises various intermediate frame elements, here in the form of two vertically extending mullions 105, 106 and a horizontally extending transom 107. The muUions 105, 106 extend between the head 103 and sill 104, whilst the transom 107 extends between the opposing jambs 101, 102. The mullions 105, 106 and transom 107 accordingly divide the window frame 100 into six individual lights. The various frame elements of the window frame will typically be formed of timber, but may alternatively be formed of aluminium extrusions if so desired. Now referring to Figures 7 through 12, a window assembly comprises the window frame 100 with a window sash 1 located in each of the lights and mounted to the window frame 100. As best depicted in the various cross sectional views of Figures 9 to 12, the overhanging portion of the rear face 3b of each glass pane 3 extends over a front face 101a, 102a, 103a, 104a, 105a, 106a, 107a of each adjacent frame element 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 defining the light in which the sash 1 is located. Accordingly, any gap between the sash frame 2 and an adjacent frame element is covered by the edge region of a glass pane 3. Further, as best depicted in Figures 9, 10 and 12, the mullions 105, 106 and transom 107 are located entirely behind the first plane defining the rear face 3 a of each glass pane 3. Accordingly, the six glass panes 3 are effectively all that is visible across the extent of the combined glass surfaces of the window assembly, with only a small gap, each typically about 2 mm, being provided between the edges of adjacent glass panes 3 to allow for any expansion or other movement of the glass panes 3 and thereby preventing chipping of the edges of the glass panes 3. If the front faces 105 a, 106a, 107a of the mullions 105, 106 and transom 107 are provided with a surface coating of similar colour to the opaque surface coating 12 applied to the peripheral region of each glass pane 3, which will typically be black, then the entire outside face of the window assembly will appear to be a continuous glass curtain wall.

The upper centre sash 1' of the light window assembly is configured as an operable sash 1 ', operable between a closed position, as depicted in Figure 7, and an open position, as depicted in Figure 8. Here the operable sash 1' is operable as an awning sash. Opposing ends of upper and lower awnings stay 13 are mounted on the each stile 6, 7 and the corresponding mullion 105, 106. Opposing ends of a chain winder (not shown) are mounted on the sash lower rail 5 and transom 107 respectively, providing for operation of the awning sash 1 '. Provision of the stays 13, 14 rather than fixed hinges enable the sash I' to be pushed forward of the window frame 100 as it opens such that the portion of glass pane 3 overhanging the top rail 4 will not impinge on the head 103 as it opens.

Further detail of the relationship between each sash 1 and an adjacent outer frame element can be appreciated from Figure 11 depicting the head 103 and upper portion of the operable sash 1'. The relationship between the jambs 101, 102 or sill 104 and their respective adjacent sashes 1 is effectively identical. An aluminium extrusion 108 is secured to the timber structure of the head 103 so as to form the front face 103a of the head 103. The extrusion 108 includes a protruding edge section 109 extending along the outer edge of the head front face 103 a, parallel to the edge of the glass pane 3, leaving a gap of approximately 2 mm therebetween. The box section 109 lies generally flush with the front face 3a of the glass pane 3 and acts to border the outer periphery of the glass surface of the window assembly and to cover any gaps in adjacent brickwork. The aluminium extrusion 108 also houses an elastomeric hollow bulb seal 110, providing a seal between the rear face 3b of the glass pane 3 and the head 103. The aluminium extrusion 108 further bears a recess 111 which may be used for fixing a sash frame 2 to the head 103 as will be discussed below. Given that the sash 1 ' depicted in Figure 11 is an operable sash, the sash frame 2 is here not fixed in relation to the window frame 100. A planton 112 is secured to the inner face of the head 103 and acts as a detent preventing the sash frame 2 from being pushed inwardly from the exterior of the glass pane 3 beyond its closed position. An elastomeric folded leaf seal 113 seals between the forward face of the planton 112 and the rear face 4b of the upper rail 4 of the sash frame 2.

Detail of the relationship between each sash 1 and an adjacent mullion 105, 106 or transom 107 can be appreciated from Figure 12 depicting the relationship between a fixed sash 1, the operable awning sash 1' and a mullion 107 located therebetween. The relationship between the transom 107 and adjacent sashes 1 is effectively identical. The entire mullion 107 is located behind the rear face 3b of each of the glass panes 3. An aluminium extrusion 114 is secured to the timber structure of the mullion 107 so as to form the front face 107a of the mullion 107. The aluminium extrusion 114 protects the timber component of the mullion 107 from exposure to the elements via the gap between the two glass panes 3. The aluminium extrusion 114 also houses two bulb seals 110 (in a similar manner to the aluminium extrusion 108) providing a seal between the glass panes 3 and the mullion 107. The aluminium extrusion 114 also includes recesses 111 on each opposing sides (again in a similar manner to the aluminium extrusion 108) in which are received plastic bushes 115. Each fixed sash 1 is fixed to each of the surrounding frame elements, including the transom 107, by way of threaded fasteners 116 driven through the sash frame 3 (particularly, through the stile 6 for the section depicted in Figure 12), through the bush 115 and into the underlying timber structure of the mullion 107 (or other frame elements). The transom 107 is also provided with plantons 112 and leaf seals 113 in the same manner as discussed above in relation to the head 103 of Figure 11. When hinged or bi-fold doors are being installed adjacent a window as described, such a door may be constructed in a similar manner to the window assembly described so as to provide a similar aesthetic appearance, with the exception that the glass panes of such doors will typically not extend beyond the underlying sash frame so as to prevent fouling and resultant damage to the glass panes when such hinge door bi-fold doors are hingedly opened.

Claims

CLAMS:

1. A window sash comprising: a sash frame having a front face; a glass pane having a rear face lying in a first plane, said rear face of said glass pane being bonded to said front face of said sash frame, said glass pane being secured to said sash frame by bonding only, wherein said rear face of said glass pane extends in said first plane beyond said sash frame about the entire periphery of said sash frame.

2. The window sash of claim 1, wherein said sash frame is formed of a timber material and a strip of metallic material secured to said timber material and forming at least part of said front face of said sash frame, said rear face of said glass pane being bonded to said strip of metallic material by way of a flowable adhesive.

3. The window sash of claim 2, wherein said flowable adhesive is a silicone based adhesive.

4. The window sash of claim 2, wherein said metallic material is an aluminium material.

5. The window sash of claim 2, wherein said rear face of said glass pane is further bonded to said strip of metallic material by way of a double sided adhesive tape extending around an inner periphery of said flowable adhesive.

6. The window sash of claim 1, wherein a peripheral region of said rear face of said glass pane is provided with an opaque surface coating such that said front face of said sash frame is not visible through said glass pane.

7. A window assembly comprising: a window frame having a vertically extending pair of opposing outer frame elements, a horizontally extending pair of opposing outer frame elements and one or more intermediate frame elements each extending between a said pair of opposing outer frame elements, dividing said window frame into individual lights; and a window sash as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6 located in each of said lights and mounted to said window frame; wherein said rear face of each said glass pane extends over a front face of each adjacent said outer/intermediate frame element.

8. The window assembly of claim 7, wherein each said intermediate frame element is located entirely behind said first plane of each adjacent said glass pane.

9. The window assembly of claim 7, wherein at least one of said window sashes is mounted to said window frame so as to be operable between a closed position and an open position.

10. The window assembly of claim 9, wherein at least one of said window sashes is operable as an awning or casement is window.

11. The window assembly of claim 7, wherein at least one of said sashes is fixed to said window frame in a closed position.