This invention relates to a retention component and
arrangement, and in particular to a retention component
and arrangement for use in securing a building panel in a
wall opening.
A typical panel for which the retention component of this
invention is suitable is a window frame, specifically a
factory pre-assembled double or triple glazed window unit.
Such units are popular with users, but the fitting staff
often find them difficult to manipulate into position in
a prepared wall opening, especially in a multi-storey
building in adverse weather.
Currently-used fitting methods require a pre-built wall
opening, and this opening has to be accurately sized and
shaped both to receive the respective unit and to permit
the fitting staff to hold the unit in position until
secured. Several fitting staff are usually involved.
A simple but reliable retention component, and a retention
arrangement using such retention component, is widely
demanded.
In one prior proposal, a rectangular retaining member
having an outwardly directed flange is fed into a prepared
(rectangular) wall opening from one side of the wall until
the flange engages the internal wall surface around the
opening, and a window frame also having an outwardly
directed flange is fed into the opening from the outer
side of the wall so as to telescope within the retaining
member and until its flange engages the external wall
surface around the opening; the frame is held in the
retaining member by resilient tabs carried either by the
retaining member or the frame and which inter-engage with
respective facing grooves on the frame or retaining
member. It is suggested that by providing a plurality of
grooves this proposed arrangement can be used for various
wall thicknesses, with the respective flanges sandwiching
the brickwork around the wall opening, but to help ensure
that the desired tight retention is obtained a resilient
sealing strip positioned between the frame flange and the
outer wall surface around the opening can be compressed a
distance substantially in excess of the spacing between
successive grooves.
The above proposed arrangement has however a number of
disadvantages in that (a) there needs to be simultaneous
access available from both sides of the wall opening,
which may not always be possible whilst building is
continuing; (b) the prefabricated window frame needs to be
manipulated into the frame opening at the same time as the
retaining member, requiring extra fitting staff; (c) the
telescopic arrangement assumes a uniform wall depth all
around the opening, typically requiring the bricklayer
accurately to lay the surround brickwork.
We now proposed a retention component and a retention
arrangement which avoids or reduces some of the above
disadvantages.
We therefore propose a retention component for securing a
window panel or the like in a wall opening comprising a
base, a tooth projecting from one side of the base, and an
abutment projecting from said one side of the base, said
abutment projecting at last as far from said base as the
tooth, said tooth having a retention flank. Preferably
there are a plurality of teeth, and said abutment projects
further from said one side of the base than said teeth.
The teeth will usefully be angled toward the abutment; so
that if saw-teeth, then the one flank (the retention
flank) will be substantially parallel to the plane of the
abutment whilst the other flank (the over-ride flank) will
be in a plane intersecting the abutment plane. Usefully
all of the teeth are of uniform height i.e. a common
projected distance from said one side of the base; but
some or all of the teeth may be of different heights to
suit the intended cooperating retaining fingers, or the
retention member itself may include or comprise retaining
fingers. It will be understood that for ease of
production the teeth will preferably extend the length of
the component (laterally of the panel insertion
direction), and will usefully be in the form of angle
blades.
Each upstanding (saw-tooth) retention flank is firmly
engageable by a respective resilient retaining finger,
typically one finger or a group of fingers integral with
or secured to a pre-assembled glazed window unit, to
provide an improved retention arrangement for the unit;
during installation the retaining fingers can ride over
the angled (over-ride) flank of a saw-tooth.
In one arrangement, means are provided to secure a
respective retention component according to the invention
to each opposed side face of the opening, preferably to
each vertical side face, permitting simplified alignment
of the window panel during installation. The window panel
is inserted towards and usually up the abutment, but
cannot be fed past the abutment, which is spaced inwardly
of the building, and which can also provide a plaster
edge, and a plaster "height level". Thus if the building
is "new built" with the opening already present, our
retention component can include nailing points or lines,
whereby the component can be secured at selected positions
therealong, typically aligned with (and to engage in) the
mortar joints between the reveal bricks.
We also propose an alternative arrangement, suitable for
use if the opening is to be formed in a cavity wall of a
"new-build" structure, with the cavity wall formed for
instance by "outer" brickwork and "inner" blockwork
(considered relative to the enclosed building). The
retention component can be connected to, preferably
integral with, a radially outward (relative to the
opening) extension piece which projects from one end
thereof and away from the other side of the base (i.e. the
other side from that side with the teeth) to be located
between the outer brick wall and the inner block wall.
Suitably, the retention component has mitred ends whereby
it is joined to similarly shaped components to form a
rectangular structure providing a former about which the
bricks and blocks can be built; this design of retention
component avoids the need for a temporary framework as
conventionally used to define the opening, and which is
removed when the brickwork is completed (perhaps leaving
an opening of different dimensions to that of the panel,
which may only be brought on site later).
Usefully, the abutment can locate a resilient sealing
gasket, permitting easy finishing of a fitted window, with
the gasket concealing the plaster edge. If the plaster
shrinks after the window has been fitted, any gap between
the plaster edge and the abutment is not visible.
Draughts through the gap can be prevented. The gasket can
flex to follow (fitted) window movement.
An advantage of our alternative arrangement when used as
a former built into "new-build" structures to enclose the
opening (i.e. with the opening being formed therearound)
is that not only can the retention arrangement of the
invention locate a panel such as a window unit reliably in
the opening, but the extension piece itself provides damp
proofing and draught sealing of the cavity between the
outer brickwork and inner blockwork i.e. there can be
cavity closing, cavity sealing, and damp proofing.
Our invention will be further described by way of example
by reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in
which:-
- Fig. 1
- is a plan view of a fastening device suitable
for use with the retention component of the
present invention;
- Fig. 2
- is a view (not to scale) on the line II-II of
Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3
- is a view (not to scale) on the line III-III of
Fig. 1;
- Fig. 4
- is a sectional view of one embodiment of
retention component suitable for a "new-built"
structure;
- Fig. 5
- is a part-perspective view of an alternative
retention component, also suitable for a "new-built"
structure;
- Fig. 6
- is a part-perspective view of a wall opening
with a fitted retention component according to
Fig. 4 or Fig. 5.
- Fig. 7
- is of an alternative design of retention
component suitable for use in a "new-build"
structure;
- Fig. 8
- is of an alternative embodiment of retention
component fitted in a "new-build" structure;
- Fig. 9
- is a schematic front elevation of a fitted
retention component formed from an extruded
plastics strip shaped according to Fig. 7 or
Fig. 8.
- Fig. 10
- is a side elevation of another alternative
embodiment to that of Fig. 7;
- Fig. 11
- is a plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 7;
- Fig. 12
- is a side elevation of yet another alternative
embodiment to that of Fig. 7;
- Fig. 13
- is a side elevation of the embodiment of Fig. 12
with a window fitted;
- Fig. 14
- is a side elevation of a further alternative
embodiment to that of Fig. 7 in which three
teeth formed as resilient fingers or tabs are
used;
- Fig. 15
- is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment
to that of Fig. 4, in which the teeth forming a
plurality of adjacent grooves are between two
teeth forming angled tabs; and
- Fig. 16
- is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment
to that of Fig. 5.
The fastening device 10 shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is the
subject of my co-pending European Patent Application
88902516.9. It is formed from 0.4mm thick hard rolled
stainless steel, in this embodiment from a rectangular
blank of 80mm x 35mm; it comprises a flat plate section 12
and two gripping members 14 and 16 which extend generally
upwardly (as seen in Fig. 2) from the plate section 12,
and to the same side thereof. Between the gripping
members there is retained an intermediate portion 19, in
the same plane as the flat plate section 12, and which in
an alternative embodiment has a nailing hole i.e. of
smaller diameter than screw holes 18. The gripping
members 14, 16 have their engagement tips 15, 17 axially
(i.e. upwardly as seen in Fig. 1) and laterally offset.
The gripping member 14 is in the form of a tongue,
provided by a substantially planar strip punched from flat
plate section 12 and which is angled at 60 degrees to the
plane of plate section 12, and in this embodiment reaches
at its tip 15 a height of 10mm above the plane of plate
section 12.
The second gripping member 16 is also in the form of a
tongue, provided by a strip angled from plate section 12,
to a height at its tip 17 of 9mm above the plane of the
plate section 12. The gripping member 16 comprises two
sections 16a and 16b. The first section 16a is at 45
degrees to the plane of plate section 12, and the second
section 16b, which is integral with the first section 16a,
is at 85 degrees to the plate section 12.
Two holes 18, aligned with gripping members 14 and 16, are
formed through the plate 12; in use, fastening means such
as a countersunk screw or (less preferably) a nail can be
passed through each hole 18 to fix fastening device 10 to
a surface, such as to the surface of a window reveal.
The retention component 30 of Fig. 4 has a base 32, a
plurality of saw-teeth 34 projecting from one side of the
base (i.e. as seen in the view of Fig. 4 generally
upwardly, but inwardly of the opening in use) and
providing closely-spaced adjacent grooves each shaped
lockingly to receive a tab from a window or equivalent
frame (e.g. tab 209 of Fig. 13), and an abutment 36
extending from one longitudinal edge 38 of the base and
projecting further from said one side of the base than the
saw-teeth 34. The teeth 34 are all to one side of the
abutment 36 i.e. that side first met when a panel is
inserted in direction "A". The grooves are defined by an
over-ride flank 34a angled to intersect the plane of the
abutment and a retention flank 34b parallel to the plane
of the abutment.
In an alternative embodiment, abutment 36 extends from the
base a similar distance as the saw-teeth 34, whose tips
are therefore resilient or deformable to allow the tab
(e.g. the aforesaid tab 209 of Fig. 13) to ride thereover
and lockingly engage with the rear surface of a tooth
whilst the frame is prevented from further inward movement
(in direction "A") by engagement with the abutment.
Abutment 36 is spaced from saw-teeth 34 by a foot portion
40 which includes a nailing recessed groove 42. Retention
component 30 has a second foot portion 44 connecting a
longitudinally extending toothed member 48 (i.e. into the
paper as viewed in Fig. 4), toothed member 48 being of the
same height as saw-teeth 34; the second foot portion 44
has a nailing recessed groove 46. In this embodiment
toothed member 48 comprises a single tooth with a
rearwardly-angled taper, corresponding to the taper angle
of saw teeth 34, to permit a tab finger 14, 16
peripherally mounted on or integral with a frame to slide
thereover with slight flexure until springing behind an
upstanding locking flank.
Toothed member 48 can thus if required provide an interim
fitting stage, wherein the frame is temporarily held
whilst being checked for alignment, before being
(squarely) pressed rearwardly towards abutment 36 for
respective tab engagement with the upstanding (rear) flank
of a tooth 34. For lighter windows, use of toothed member
48 can permit installation by a fitter acting alone.
Columns 50 extend from the other side of the base 32
(which is the outer side in use, relative to the panel or
window opening), and terminate in an plane substantially
in line with the terminal plane of feet 40, 44. In the
alternative embodiment of retention component 130 shown in
Fig. 5, the columns 150 are made of greater height.
In use, and as schematically shown in Fig. 6, the
retention component 30, 130 is extruded from plastics
material and cut to length. A suitable length is secured
to each of the upright, opposed facing walls 66 of a "new-built"
i.e. existing, opening and secured into selected
mortar joints 62 by nails 64 hammered through the grooves
42, 46. Abutment 36 is positioned adjacent the internal
building wall, and can subsequently provide a plaster
face.
A window frame (not shown) but suitably pre-formed as
shown in Fig. 13 and possibly double-glazed, and fitted
with resilient fastening members, suitably of metal and
shaped as shown in Figs. 1-3, is now fed from outside the
building in direction "A" inwardly towards abutment 36 (or
136 if the embodiment of Fig. 5 is fitted), and is
permanently retained by engagement of one or both of
finger tips 15, 17 with one or more respective retention
flanks of saw- teeth 34, 134 to effect a retention
arrangement.
One advantage of the described arrangement is that the
bricklayer can lay the bricks 60 for a cavity wall
structure (or even for a single wall structure) without
needing the glazier to be present; another is that the
retention component 30, 130 can be fixed to inwardly
facing sections of the wall opening when built, without
the builder or window fitter needing to consider whether
the opening has a constant depth (from outside the
building to inside) since the arrangement does not depend
upon sandwiching the wall for effective securement; yet
another advantage is that the window fitter (and glazier
if a non-glazed frame is fitted) can attend upon the
opening merely from the outside of the building without
requiring anyone inside to hold the retention component;
and a yet further advantage is that once the window is
fitted, the plasterer can continue to lay plaster
internally of the building, often using the abutment 36,
136 as a height guide and end stop.
The alternative arrangements of Figs. 7-13 are suitable
for a "new-build" opening. The bricklayer will typically
lay a line of bricks 60 and blocks 70 to a selected
height, and will then lay a further layer of either the
bricks or blocks, position the extension part 200 of a
preformed rectangular retention member 201 against the
extra layer, and then clamp the extension part 200 in
position by laying further bricks or blocks so as to
sandwich the extension part 200, as seen in Fig. 8.
Abutment 236 has a rearward angled surface 237, which
provides a plastering level for plastering section 235.
To help key the plaster, surface 237 is ridged. Extension
part 200 is of hollow extruded construction, with
strengthening ribs 205; alternatively the parts can be
separately extruded, and heat welded or otherwise secured
together.
Although for clarity a gap is shown (Fig. 8) between the
extension part and the bricks and blocks, in practice the
bricklayer will seek to avoid these gaps, using if
necessary the, or another, extension part as a cavity
spacer when building up the lower cavity wall, below the
window opening. However the retention component can if
required be laid on a bed of mortar or equivalent, or the
gap can be sealed by a known resilient sealing compound.
Typical cavity widths are 38mm, 48mm, and 64mm. In the
Fig. 10-13 embodiments the extension piece 200 has a width
of 38mm, and spacers 205 (Fig. 12) can be fitted to one or
both sides of the extension piece, by way of heads 207
received in recesses 211a, 211b on opposed sides of the
extension piece 200.
In this alternative embodiment, abutment 236a is
differently shaped to abutment 236; and as seen in the
plan view of Fig. 11, plastering section 235 has aperture
236, whereby in use the plaster can key through the
retention member directly onto the brickwork, e.g. blocks
70. In alternative embodiments, teeth 204, 206 etc. are
not continuous from one side edge 231a to the other side
edge 231b; and a number of separate retention members 230,
230a may be fitted (as for Fig. 6) around the aperture
203, touching or spaced apart, providing suitable weather
sealing is used, at least for external (e.g. window panel)
openings.
As the bricks and blocks continue to be laid, the
retention component 230, which in this embodiment is
integral with extension part 200, is located in position
in the cavity or gap between the outerwall bricks and
innerwall blocks. Usefully, and as seen in Fig. 9, the
retention component will be cut to length, and will be
connected (as by welding or adhesive or corner brackets)
to similar cut lengths to form a rectangular frame, around
which the bricks 60 and blocks 70 can be built to form a
window opening 203 of pre-selected dimensions and size,
with the rectangular frame (assembled from four retention
components) locked permanently in position in the window
opening, and itself defining the wall opening.
A window frame 205 (Fig. 13) with glazing 207 can be
securely positioned in the opening by being fed towards
abutment 236 in direction "A". In one embodiment, a
window frame carries spaced fastening devices 10 (Figs. 1-3)
having tips 15, 17 one or both of which respectively
ride over and then engage with one or more respective
angled saw-teeth 314. However, in the embodiment of Fig.
13, window frame 205 has integral resilient finger 209
which engages behind the single angled tooth 334. Recess
211a locates brickwork tie 213.
Fig. 12 uses a modified abutment 336 for retention unit
230b.
Thus the forward or outer face 336f carries a nib 340, and
has a shaped recess 342. As seen in Fig. 13 when frame
205 has been fitted up against nib 340, resilient sealing
gasket 341 can be located in the recess 342 with one
sealing edge 344 against the rear wall 346 of the frame,
whilst its other sealing edge 347 rests upon plaster 348
and conceals the plaster edge i.e. the join of the plaster
and the abutment rear or inward (relative to the building)
face 336r. In normal use, resilient plate or finger 209
biasses the frame 205 against nib 304, thereby squeezing
the necked part of the gasket 341.
In an alternative embodiment, a fastening device 10 is
located by way of flat plate section 12 between a pair of
surfaces 204, 206, or 208, 210, or 212, 214 with the
upstanding tips 15, 17 directed generally towards the
interior of the building i.e. towards the abutment, to
engage outwardly directed ribs in the frame and so retain
the window frame, in this embodiment by their serrated
tip(s) as disclosed in my co-pending European Patent
Application 88902516.9; but alternatively with tips 15, 17
engaged in one or more spaced recesses in the cooperating
frame edge. The surfaces 204, 206 will have a height
substantially equal to the thickness of flat plate section
12 i.e. 0.05 mil. In this embodiment the pairs of
surfaces 204, 206 and 208, 210, and 212, 214 have facing
projections 216 (Fig. 7) at their upper (inward) ends, to
retain the fastening device 10 until the window frame is
inserted; fastening device 10 will be of a hard material
e.g. metal, which can be pressed past the facing
projections 216, usually of a plastics material, and which
thereafter spring back towards their initial positions.
In yet other alternative embodiment the saw-teeth of the
retention component can terminate at differing heights
from the base. Usefully the saw teeth will be formed by
removal of material from a thick base member (for Fig. 4
of 3 mil and for Fig. 5 of 5 mil) with the respective
abutments 36 and 136 having heights from the feet of 10
mil and 12 mil; the retention components 30, 130 have a
length in the outer to inner fixing direction of 63 mil,
with feet 40, 44 of length 10 mil.
In further alternative embodiments the retention
components 30, 130, 230 can be formed with integral or
built-in gripping members (corresponding to gripping
members 14, 16 of Figs. 1-3) engageable in spaced recesses
in (or against raised lips extending outwardly of) a
window frame edge.
In the embodiment of Fig. 14, three upstanding teeth are
shown, each with a differently profiled engagement tooth
tip 414a, 414b, 414c, the tips being below the height of
abutment 436. This embodiment is suitable for nominated
use in conjunction with a profile of one proprietary frame
manufacturer, with recesses or raised lips at a known
spacing. The teeth are spaced by base sections.
The embodiment of Fig. 15 is also primarily intended for
use with one (proprietary) profile, but since it includes
closely-spaced saw teeth 534 between the tabs or fingers
514a, 514b, it can also be used with a window frame which
itself has externally projecting tabs or fingers
engageable with respective saw teeth.
The further alternative embodiment of Fig. 16 indicates
that the fingers 614a, 614b have their tips spaced by a
distance "S" suited to another proprietary profile, and
that the fingers are formed integrally with a base 632 of
height "H" and with a platform of width "W". The height
and/or spacing of tooth 648 can be altered if desired, to
make subsequent affixing (nailing) easier.
Preferably the fingers in Figs. 14-16 will be in the form
of longitudinally extending plates. In one embodiment
these plates extend the full length of the retention
member without interruption; but in alternative
embodiments there can be spaced slits or recesses or
apertures to assist finger flexure during frame insertion,
or to avoid frame pieces, but selected to minimise any
reduction of the frame retention facility.
The embodiments of Figs. 14-16 will preferably be made of
a plastics material, for use with frames of any material
(aluminium, wood, plastics e.g. PVC) but are likely to be
of particular value for use with metal (e.g. steel) frames
for which the retention tips of the members according to
Figs. 1-3 may be less effective. If however without
suitable recesses or projections with which the tabs e.g.
514a, 514b can engage, the frame can have its own tabs to
engage teeth 534 e.g. integral tabs if a plastics frame,
or affixed retention components such as that of Fig. 1-3
for a frame of metal, wood or plastics. Thus frames of all
materials can be secured by a retention member according
to this invention.