Window frame and architrave assembly

Abstract

A window frame assembly for attachment to a window opening in a support structure, the assembly includes a first frame and a second frame that engage each other from opposite sides of the window opening, wherein the first frame includes a window and at least one abutment member adapted to be fixed to the support structure. The second frame includes at least one abutment member, such as a jamb, a head or a sill. The first frame includes a recess between the at least one abutment member and the window such that, upon engagement of the first frame and the second frame from opposite sides of the window opening, the at least one abutment member of the second frame is received by the recess of the first frame.

Claims

1. A window frame assembly for attachment to a window opening in a support structure, the assembly comprising: a first frame and a second frame that engage each other from opposite sides of the window opening; wherein the first frame is adapted to fit in and about the window opening from an external side of the opening, wherein the first frame comprises a window and at least one abutment member, wherein the at least one abutment member is adapted to be fixed to the support structure using fixing means; wherein the second frame is adapted to fit in and about the window opening from an internal side of the opening, wherein the second frame comprises at least one abutment member selected from the group consisting of a jamb, a head and a sill; and wherein the first frame comprises a recess between the at least one abutment member and the window and in a region of the first frame that is directly beneath, above or lateral to the at least one abutment member such that, upon engagement of the first frame and the second frame from opposite sides of the window opening, the at least one abutment member of the second frame is received by the recess of the first frame and the fixing means used to fix the at least one abutment member of the first frame to the support structure is concealed by the at least one abutment member of the second frame.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second frame comprises an architrave.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the architrave comprises an engagement means for fixing the second frame to a support structure.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the second frame comprises, as abutment members, a first side jamb, a second side jamb, a head jamb and a sill.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first frame comprises at least two abutment members.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first frame comprises at least three abutment members.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first frame comprises at least four abutment members.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one abutment member of the first frame is adapted to be fixed to the support structure by at least one fixing screw which attaches to said support structure through the at least one abutment via a profiled recess.

9. A method for fixing a window jamb to a window opening of a support structure, the method comprising: (i) placing a first frame into the window opening from an external side of the opening, the first frame fitting in and about the window opening, wherein the first frame comprises a window, at least one abutment member for engagement with the support structure and a recess between the window and the at least one abutment member; (ii) from an internal and opposite side of the window opening fixing the at least one abutment member of the first frame to the support structure using fixing means to thereby effect a fixed engagement thereto, the fixing means being visible from the internal and opposite side of the window; and (iii) bringing a second frame into engagement with the fixed first frame from an internal and opposite side of the window opening to the first frame, the second frame fitting in and about the window opening, wherein the second frame comprises at least one abutment member selected from the group consisting of a jamb, a head and a sill, wherein the at least one abutment member of the second frame is received by the recess between the window and the at least one abutment member of the first frame, and the fixing means used to fix the at least one abutment member of the first frame to the support structure then becoming concealed by the at least one abutment member of the second frame.

10. The method of claim 9 comprising: (iv) fixing an architrave to the support structure and/or to the first frame.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the second frame comprises an architrave, and wherein the method comprises fixing the architrave to the support structure and/or to the first frame to thereby effect a fixed engagement thereto.

12. A window frame assembly for attachment to a window opening in a support structure, the assembly comprising: a first frame and a second frame that engage each other from opposite sides of the window opening; wherein the first frame is adapted to fit in and about the window opening from an external side of the opening, wherein the first frame comprises a window and at least one abutment member, wherein the at least one abutment member is adapted to be fixed to the support structure using fixing means; wherein the second frame is adapted to fit in and about the window opening from an internal side of the opening, wherein the second frame comprises at least one abutment member selected from the group consisting of a jamb, a head and a sill; and wherein the first frame comprises a recess between the at least one abutment member and the window such that, upon engagement of the first frame and the second frame from opposite sides of the window opening, the at least one abutment member of the second frame is received by the recess of the first frame and the fixing means used to fix the at least one abutment member of the first frame to the support structure is concealed by the at least one abutment member of the second frame.

13. A window frame assembly for attachment to a window opening in a support structure, the assembly comprising: a first frame and a second frame that engage each other from opposite sides of the window opening; wherein the first frame is adapted to fit in and about the window opening from an external side of the opening, wherein the first frame comprises a window and at least one abutment member, wherein the at least one abutment member is adapted to be fixed to the support structure using fixing means; wherein the second frame is adapted to fit in and about the window opening from an internal side of the opening, wherein the second frame comprises at least one abutment member selected from the group consisting of a jamb, a head and a sill; and wherein the first frame comprises a recess between the at least one abutment member and the window such that, upon engagement of the first frame and the second frame from opposite sides of the window opening, the at least one abutment member of the second frame is received by the recess of the first frame and the fixing means used to fix the at least one abutment member of the first frame to the support structure is concealed by the at least one abutment member of the second frame.

Description

(1) The present invention will now be described in more detail according to each aspect and with reference to a preferred but non limiting embodiment wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a front perspective of a first window frame according to an embodiment of the present invention fitted in situ to a wall structure;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a front perspective of a second window frame according to an embodiment of the present invention fitted in situ to a wall structure;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an exploded cross section through the window frame and architrave assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, in two parts, comprising the first frame (left) and the second frame (rights);

(5) FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of FIG. 3 with profiled members (i.e., the first and second frames) engaged together;

(6) FIG. 5: shows a perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 3.

(7) Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a front perspective of the first window frame (1) comprising a window (30) made up of four panes of glass (3) fixed in place by an assembly of stiles and rails (2), the combination of which is called a sash, and four abutment members (4, 5, 6 and 36). The first window frame is shown affixed to a structural supports comprising beams (8, 9) and posts (7). The structural posts (7) and beams (8, 9) effectively sandwich the first frame there between. The abutment members (4, 5, 6 and 36) are engaged and affixed to one or more of the structural supports (7, 8, 9) by using suitable fixing means, such as screws.

(8) Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a front perspective of the second window frame according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein second frame (31) is engaged with the first frame in opposing relationship, fitted to a window opening of the structural support. The second frame comprises an architrave (10) framing the window (30) and four abutment members: two side jambs (24), a head jamb (14) and a sill (24).

(9) FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken through part of a support structure (wall) to which the first window frame (1) (left) is fitted, wherein two abutment members of the first frame (11) are engaged with two beams (9) of the structural support and fixed thereto by screws (16). Also shown in FIG. 3 is the recess (13) between the window (12) and the abutment members (11) of the first window frame (1). The representation also shows a cross sectional view through the second window frame of the assembly (31) (right) about to be brought into contact with the first frame (1) from an internal and opposite side of the window opening to the first window frame (1), as shown by the directional arrow. The second frame (31), comprising at least two abutment members (14, 24) is brought into engagement with the fixed first frame (1) from an internal and opposite side of the window opening to the first frame, wherein the abutment members (14, 24) are to be received by the recesses (13) of the first frame (1). Also shown is a cross sectional view of the architrave (15).

(10) FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken through part of a support structure (wall) to which the first window frame (1) is fitted, wherein two abutment members of the first frame (11) are engaged with two beams (9) of the structural support and fixed thereto by screws (16). The representation also shows a cross sectional view through the second window frame of the assembly (31) that has been fitted into the window opening from an internal and opposite side of the opening to the first window frame (1), as shown by the directional arrow in FIG. 3. The second frame (31) comprises at least two abutment members (14, 24) that have been brought into contact with the fixed first frame (1) from an internal and opposite side of the window opening to the first frame, such that the abutment members (14, 24) have been received by the recesses (13) of the first frame (1), as shown in FIG. 3. Also shown is a cross sectional view of the architrave (15), which has been fixed to the structural supports (9) by nails (40), thus securing the second window frame in place. As shown in FIG. 4, the abutment members of the second frame (14, 24) cover the otherwise exposed screws (16) used to affix the abutment members (5) of the first frame (1) to the structural supports (9).

(11) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first window frame (1) (right) and the second window frame (31) (left) according to an embodiment of the assembly disclosed herein, wherein second frame (31) is about to be inserted into the window opening from an internal and opposite side of the opening to the first window frame (1), as shown by the directional arrow. The first window frame (1) is shown affixed to a structural supports comprising beams (8, 9) and posts (7). The structural posts (7) and beams (8, 9) effectively sandwich the first frame there between. The abutment members (4, 5, 6) are engaged and affixed to the structural supports (7, 8, 9) by using suitable fixing means, such as screws (16). The perspective view of the second window frame (31) shows the architrave (15) and four abutment members: two side jambs (34), a head jamb (14) and a sill (24).

(12) When the second window frame (31) is brought into contact with the first frame (1) from an internal and opposite side of the window opening to the first window frame (1), as shown by the directional arrow, the abutment members (34, 14, 24) are received by the recesses (13) of the first frame, covering the first frame abutment members (4, 5, 6) and the screws (16).

(13) The present invention provides an alternative whereby the carpenter or window fitter can insert the window frame assembly to the window opening of a structural support such as a wall, even after the wall cladding has been painted and other work completed, as there is very little trauma to the structure in affixing the window frame assembly according to the present invention. The window frame assembly is particularly useful with walls having a normal width of about 90 mm, but it will be appreciated that the assembly can be applied to walls of any desired width. Also the length of abutment members of the first and second frames can be adjusted to accommodate different wall thicknesses. It will also be understood that the window frame assembly described herein is not to be construed as confined to buildings, but could equally be used in other applications such as in furniture construction and modular partitioning construction in both internal and external applications. The present invention also provides a finished architrave so that the completed window surround including jamb, head, sill and architrave is effected as soon as the first and second window frames are installed.

(14) It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications can be made to the overall invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as broadly described herein.

(15) The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.