Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1.0 BACKGROUND OF INVENTlON
1.1 FIELD OF INVENTION
5 This invention relates to hinged closure assemblies, particularly to glazed closure
assemblies such as windows and doors. The frames are designed to allow the
closure panel to extend close to the opening perimeter.
1.2 DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Generally closure assemblies consist of three parts. The first part is the stationary
frame. It is fixed to the wall containing the closure assembly. The second part is
the sash. It is the moveable closure frame that is received by the stationary frame
and it contains the third part, the panel, typically the largest portion of the closure
assembly, by area.
The deleterious effects of carbon based fuel consumption and the need to
conserve energy has accelerated the development of more highly insulating panel
materials, especially for closure assemblies in exterior walls of buildings. Recent
advances in panel design have led to panels that insulate much better than the
20 sashes and frames that surround them. While this is true of insulated doors, it is
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more particularly true of windows, where glazing panels can insulate more than
three times as well as sash and frame assemblies.
But, glazed closure assemblies in exterior walls of buildings not only lose
thermal energy, but also gain radiant energy from the sun, during the heating
5 season . Over the heating season a well designed and oriented glazed closure
assembly can capture more energy in the form of radiant energy from the sun,
than it loses in the form of thermal energy. Thus over the heating season, a well
designed and oriented glazed closure assembly can contribute to the heating of a
building.
10 It has become evident that, further improvements to the overall energy efficiency
of closure assemblies could be made by designing a slimmer frame and sash
assembly. The slimmer frame and sash assembly should improve the energy
efficiency of closure assemblies having high insulating closure panels by
increasing the area of the most highly insulating component; the panel.
The slimmer frame and sash has further advantages in glazed closure assemblies
in the exterior walls of buildings. Firstly, the increased glazed area means
increased solar gains which decrease the building's need for artificial heating.
Secondly the increased glazing area provides a larger viewing area and more
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daylight for the same sized wall opening which decreases the building's need for
artificial lighting.
The prior art contains many examples of hinged closure assemblies. For the most
part the prior art consists of designs where the frame section is completely within
5 the wall opening surrounding the closure assembly. Some examples include;
Canadian Patent 1,027,424, issued March 7, 1978, by Armstrong, C~n~ n
Patent 1,032,412, issued June 6, 1978, by Smits et al, Can~ n Patent
1,118,287, issued February 16, 1982, by Lerdu, C~n~ n Patent 1,304,261,
issued June 30, 1992, by Biro, Canadian Patent Application 2,015,645,
10 published October 27,1991, by Fast et al, and Canadian Patent Application
2,039,083, published, September 27, 1992, by Hoover et al.
An alternative approach is shown in Canadian Patent 406,149 by Harris, issued
July 21, 1942. Harris is concerned with a small window for a trailer with one side
of the frame having an overlapped and extended portion supporting the hinge.
The extended portion is on one side only and is curved to accept a particular
hinge design, i.e. the only purpose is as a hinge support. This patent does not
show any means to strengthen the overlapping and extending frame component,
nor does it suggest a planar seating surface parallel to the edge of the opening on
20 at least two sides.
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2.0 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIO~
The invention covers a frame member adapted to seat a closure for the
opening in a structure's wall. The frame member is a profile having a
cross section including:
a) an overlapping component adapted to overlap a wall face and
comprising a profile having a surface contributing to seating a closure,
said surface being adapted to be substantially in the plane of, or
displaced along a wall face in a plane parallel to, the opening edge,
with the displacement not substantially exceeding the depth of a
closure sash, this seating surface being one side of a profile section
which is one of hollow, hollow with reinforcing, and foam filled; and
b) a support component comprising a profile adapted to extend over at
least part of the edge of the opening.
The frame member cross section may also include:
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c) a sealing component adapted to extend from support component b)
toward the centre of the opening, and adapted to seal with the closure,
and optionally to house means to open and close the closure.
The frame member will be configured to include head, jamb and
optionally sill portions. In one aspect, the seating surface in the
overlapping component a) in a head, jamb or sill portion may serve as
a mounting surface, e.g. a hinge mounting surface, as well as a seating
surface. The overlapping component a) will include an overlapping
section adapted to overlap a wall face.
]n an alternative embodiment, the seating surface of the overlapping
component a) need not be one side of a hollow, reinforced hollow or
foam filled profile, provided that at least two of said portions and
preferably the head and jamb portions have this substantially planar
seating surface as defined. In this embodiment the seating surface
may be one side of a solid projection from the overlapping base
portion, the projection, preferably being reinforced.
The closure assembly will include a closure and the frame member
portions, or frame as described, with the closure usually being a sash
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and glazing panel. The sash and glazing panel are sized so that the
periphery of the panel will extend close to the edge of the opening,
(and close to support component b) ). At least part of the sash is
designed to seat against the seating surface of the overlapping
component a).
In another embodiment the closure may be adapted to be a door slab,
with at least part of the door edge seating against the seating surface of
the overlapping component a). Preferably the glazing panel or adapted
door slab is selected for high energy efficiency.
In the alternative embodiment the substantially planar surface may include
non-planar shapes to aid in the locating and mounting of hardware, such
as ridges and grooves
3.0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure l shows a cross sectional view through the sill of a typical extruded PVC
framed outswing casement window with a slide-by (pivoting) hinge; (prior art).
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Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view through the sill of an embodiment of the
invention, showing an outswing casement window with a slide-by hinge.
Figure 3 shows a cross sectional view through the jamb of an embodiment of the
invention, showing an outs-ving casement window with a butt (leaf) hinge.
5 Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view through the jamb of an embodiment of the
invention, showing an inswing casement window with a butt (leaf) hinge.
Figure 5 shows a cross sectional view through the sill of an embodiment of the
invention, showing a frame with only overlapping and support sections, of an
outswing casement window with a slide-by hinge.
10 Figure 6 shows a cross sectional view through the sill of a preferred embodiment
of the invention, showing an outswing casement window with a slide-by hinge as
wel] as a typical rotogear operator and a possible installation detail.
Figure 7 shows a partial sectional view through a the sill of an outswing
casement frame and sash showing an alternate installation detail.
Figure 8 shows in cross section a reinforcing detail for a frame, the reinforcing
being contained within the frame lineal.
Figure 9 shows in cross section a reinforcing detail for an alternative frame, the
reinforcing being external to the frame lineal.
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Each of Figures 1,2 and 3,4 is accompanied by a schematic, Figures 2A and 3A
respectively, showing the hinge location for each corresponding Figure.
5 4.0 DETAILED DESCRIl'TION
4.1 Detailed Description of Drawings
4.1.1 Figure I
A typical example of the prior art is shown in Figure I . Figure I depicts a typical
PVC outswing casement window installed in a typical wood framed wall. The
wall section consists of, the edge 50 of the opening in the wall, an exterior
cladding 51, and structural members 52. In this case the structural members 52
5 consist of wood framing 52a and wood sheathing 52b. The exterior cladding is
sealed to the window with cau]king 55. A drywall finish 53 is shown on the
inside.
The window in Figure I consists of a glazing panel 1, supported by shims 2 in a
sash 20. The sash 20 is connected to the frame 10 by a slide-by hinge 41. This
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type of hinge is well known to those skilled in the art. The joint between the sash
20 and the frame 10 is sealed with weatherstrips 31, 32, and 33. Note that the
hinge 41 is mounted on seating surface 14 ofthe frame 10, and that surface 14 is
well within the projected area defined by the wall opening edge 50. There are
5 optional exterior trims, not illustrated, but famili~r to those skilled in the art, that
overlap the exterior face of the wall 52. However, even if these optional exterior
trims are used, the position of the portion of the frame 10 that supports the sash
20 remains the same. It is always well within the projected opening defined by
the wall opening edge 50 in such prior art construction.
4.1.2 Figure 2
In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, the three components of
the closure assembly frame 10 are shown in Figure 2. The overlapping
component 11, is shown accommodating the sash 20 and partially overlapping the
5 exterior face of the wall 52. This overlapping component 11 includes walls
I la,l Ib,l Ic,l Id and I le.
The overlapping component 11 is attached to the sash through hinge 41. Hinge
41 joins the seating surface 14 of component 11 of the frame 10 to the sash 20.
Specifically, the hinge is fastened to frame profile wall I la and sash profile wall
20 20a respectively. In this example the hinge is a slide-by hinge.
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Note that the hinge 41 is mounted on seating surface 14 of profile wall 1 la, and
that surface 14 is well beyond, or outside, the projected area defined by the wall
opening edge 50.
The support component section 12 of Figure 2 extends inward through the wall
opening and along edge 50. This support component 12 includes walls 12a and
1 2b. The optional sealing component 13 is shown upstanding from the support
component 12 and extending towards the centre of the opening. This sealing
component 13 includes walls 13a, 13b, 13c.
Comparing Figure 1 with Figure 2, it is evident that the frame 10 and the sash 20
as in Figure 2 allow the edge of the glazing panel I to more closely approach the
opening edge 50 than in Figure 1. This would allow for an increase in the energyefficiency of the assembly. Similar components have the same numbers as in
Figure 1.
4.1.3 Figure 3
An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 3. In this Figure
profile wall I I a supports the sash 20 with a jamb-mounted butt hinge, 42. Thistype of hinge is well known and many variations may be used here. Note that the
hinge 42 is mounted on seating surface 14 ofthe profile wall I la, and that
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surface 14 is well beyond, or outside, the projected area defined by the wall
opening edge 50.
Comparing Figure l with Figure 3; it is evident that the frame 10 and the sash 20
as in Figure 3 allow the glazing panel I to more closely approach the opening
5 edge 50 than in Figure 1. This would allow for an increase in the energy
efficiency of the assembly. Similar components have the same numbersas in
Figures 1& 2.
4.1.4 Figure 4
10 It is also possible to use the overlapping principle with an in-swing closure
assembly. Figure 4 shows an example of an inswing closure assembly of the
invention. In this embodiment the sash 20 opens inward, and the frame 10
overlaps the structural portion of the wall on the interior. An alternate installation
would omit the secondary interior wall 54.
Note that the hinge 42 is mounted on seating surface 14 ofthe profile wall I la,
and that surface 14 is well beyond or outside the projected area defined by the
wall opening edge 50.
Comparing Figure I with Figure 4, it is evident that the frame 10 and the sash 20
as in Figure 4 allow the glazing panel I to more closely approach the wall
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opening edge 50 than in Figure 1. This would allow for an increase in the energy
efficiency of the assembly. Other similar components have the same numbers as
in Figures 1,2 and 3.
4.1.5 Figure 5
The simplest embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure S. In this
embodiment, the frame consists only of the overlapping component 1 1 and the
supporting component 12
Again, note that the hinge 41 is mounted on seating surface 14 ofthe profile wall
10 1 la, and that surface 14 is well beyond, or outside, the projected area defined bv
the wall opening edge 50.
Comparing Figure 1 with Figure 5, it is evident that the frame 10 and the sash 20
as in Figure S allow the glazing panel 1 to more closely approach the opening
edge 50. This would allow for an increase in the energy efficiency of the
assembly. Again, similar components are numbered as in previous Figures.
4.1.6 Figure 6
Typically outswing operable window assemblies may utilize rotogear hardware
90 as shown in Figure 6, which is another embodiment according to the invention.
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Figure 6 also shows one possible installation detail. A fastener 80 is driven
completely through a hole 1 lf in profile wall 1 la and pulls profile wall 1 lb tight
against the structural part of the wall 52a. If the hole 1 I f is not covered by the
hinge, it can be covered by a cap 1 lj (shown by the dotted line in Figure 6). The
s hole 1 lf for the fastener may permit the entry of moisture, so the hollow space
formed by profile walls 1 la, 1 lb, 1 lc and 1 ld can be drained through the hole
l l g in profile wall 1 I c.
Figure 6 also shows shims 56. Besides allowing a plumb square and level
installation, these shims also provide additional support to overlapping
10 components a) - frame profile 11, and support component b) - frame profile 12.
Once more, note that the hinge 41 is mounted on planar seating surface 14 of the
profi}e wall I I a, and that surface 14 is well beyond, or outside, the projected area
defined by the wall opening edge 50.
Comparing Figure 1 with Figure 6, it is again evident that the frame 10 and the
sash 20 as in Figure 6 allow the glazing panel 1 to more closely approach the
opening edge 50 than in Figure 1. This would allow for an increase in the energy
efficiency of the assembly. Once more, similar components are numbered as in
previous Figures.
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4.1.7 Figure 7
A further altemate installation detail is shown in Figure 7. In this case the frame
10 is installed before the exterior cladding 51. Flange I lh is intended to be
5 continuous around the perimeter of the frame. Fastener 81 can be installed
through the flange I I h. It is also possible to use an applied overlay flange either
continuously or in discrete lengths. Besides flanges, a variety of brackets or
adhesives, known to those skilled in the art could be used to install the frame 10.
Thin walled materials may need intemal reinforcing e.g. within the hollow of
frame component 11 as shown in Figure 7. This reinforcing 72 could be either
continuous throughout individual frame members' hollow portions or in discrete
sections only. Suitable reinforcing materials include wood, metal or plastic e.g.
as sleeves, fin sections, solid cores or foam cores.
4.1.8 Figures 8 & 9
Figures 8 and 9 show altemative reinforcing details for the frame 10, with the
same numbers used for corresponding parts as in Figures 5-7. An example of an
intemal reinforcing 70 is shown in Figure 8. This reinforcing material could be
co-extruded or co-pultruded into the lineal or otherwise sandwiched therein.
20 Figure 9 shows an extemal reinforcing 71. This angular lineal could be made of
either the same material as the rest of the frame or a stiffer material. Figure 9
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also shows a planar seating surface 14 not part of a hollow profile. Another
reinforcement technique, in a similar embodiment to Figure 8 or 9, would be to
increase the strength of the profile either by locally incorporating a stronger
material in the lineal or by increasing the thickness of the profile.
5 Figure 9 also shows an extended lip I lh that would conceal the edge of an
applied cladding 51 such as siding or in the case of an inswing sash, drywall.
In Figures 8 and 9, space is shown above seating surface 14 for a slide-by hinge.
In corresponding jamb portions of a casement and the head and sill portions of an
awning, or other portions where no hinge is required, the mating surface of the
10 sash could more closely approach surface 14 and seal against it (not shown).
4.2 DESCRIPTIVE DETAILS AND PRE~ERRED EMBODIMENTS
Although it is conceivable that this invention could be made from any of the
commonly used fenestration frame materials, the thinnest profile, best insulating
frame would be made from either a pultruded fiber-reinforced therrnoset or an
extruded thermoplastic. In any case, a key aspect of the design would be ensuring
that the corner between overlapping component a) and support component b) is
strong enough not only to endure in-service loads, but also to endure handling
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during shipping and installation. Reinforcing as shown in Figures 8 & 9, may be
necessary.
Another key aspect of the design is the strength of overlapping component a) -
frame section l l, especially in the sill portion. In the case of a slide-by hinge, the
5 sill portion of l l supports the entire weight of the sash and the glazing panel.
Extruded or pultruded profiles are more economical in thinner wall sections.
Therefore it would be advantageous in some embodiments to reinforce frame
component ] I . If overlapping component 1 1 ) contains a hollow, then the hollow
could be reinforced with one of the group consisting of; sleeve, plate, c-cross
10 section and full core wood, metal or equivalent inserts.
If frame component l l in the sill is solid or a flange as in Figure 9 then, it could
be suitably reinforced with a plate-like or hollow section.
Although this invention is suitable for conventional slide-by window hardware,
those skilled in the art would understand that other types of hinge systems could
be used. The key to the low profile of a preferred embodiment of this design is to
let the frame overlap the wall face enough so that the hinge is outside of the
projected area of wall opening edge.
16
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From an energy efficiency point of view, the thinnest possible sash and frame
profile is desirable. In one aspect, this is not only accomplished by having the
frame overlap the face of the wall (and therefore locating the hinge outside of the
projected area of the wall opening), but also by using a low profile sash. This
5 means elimin~ting the hollow support, shown in Figure 1, between the glazing
cavity and the hinge. Figure 6 shows one way to reduce the height of the sash.
A sash wlthout such a supporting hollow section, like the one shown in Figure 6,
will need to rely on the glass for support. The glass can be joined to the sash in a
structural manner, in order to strengthen the sash, by one of several known
10 techniques e.g. silicones or other adhesives.
The three most common ways of glazing a sash are: inside glazing stop as shown
in Figure 1, outside glazing stop as shown in Figure 6, and U channel or pocket
glazing (not shown). The outside glazing stop or pocket glazing techniques tend
to lend themselves to this thin profile sash design.
The sash could be designed to accommodate either 1,2,3,4 or more glazing layers,
including suspended films. ln thick walls of extraordinarily energy efficient
structures, it may be advantageous to use a compound window - one that contains
both an outer outswinging sash and an inner inswinging sash.
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By utilizing this invention with either an outswinging or inswinging sash type or
both, it is possible, even with unmodified hardware to reduce the height of the
frame profile by half or more, compared to previous designs.
