GB2194038A

GB2194038A - Window vent

Info

Publication number: GB2194038A
Application number: GB08712477A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John George Hamilton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-05-27
Filing date: 1987-05-27
Publication date: 1988-02-24
Also published as: GB8712477D0; GB2194038B

Abstract

A vent device is provided for a window which device is in the form of a separate independent unit which is fitted at an outer edge, especially the top edge, of the window frame (2). The vent device comprises a narrow elongated duct member (9) closed by end caps (15) and sharing an internal passage for airflow between an air inlet (24A) and an air outlet (22A) at the sides of the member, the duct member (9) having a laterally projecting flange (18). which overlaps a corner edge of the window frame (2). Suitable securing means, such as screws (16) serve to secure the duct member (9) to the window frame (2), while a sealing member (14) is provided between the member (9) and the window frame (2). Airflow through the air outlet (22A) can be controlled by a sliding regulator (22). An insect screen and sound and thermal insulation may be provided in the duct. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Window vent Description The present invention relates to window vents.

Window vents have been provided in wooden-framed windows by cutting (or punching) a horizontal slot in the top cross member (head) of the window-frame and fitting an appropriate vent device into this slot. Alternatively the vent has been fitted into the window sash or integrally incorporated into the glazing. These arrangements however have the disadvantages of weakening the window structure, and/or due to the smallness of the vent providing a vent of rather unsatisfactory performance. Normally windows are manufactured on a batch basis at the factory and since only a limited number of the windows may require fitted vents it is a further disadvantage of the previous vent arrangements that the fitting of the vents can disrupt the continuity of the batch operation.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a vent device for fitting as a separate independent unit along an outer edge of a window frame member, said vent device comprising a duct member having transverse passage means for airflow between an air inlet and an air outlet at respective sides of the duct member; means for locating said duct member on the outer edge of a window frame member; end closures for the duct member; means for securing the duct member to a window frame member, a flange member extending laterally from said duct member at or adjacent the air inlet end of the duct member so as to extend parallel and in overlapping relationship with an exterior surface of said frame member; and seal means for location between the vent device and the frame member.

Preferably a drip canopy is provided on the structure extending over the length thereof.

Preferably adjustable control means are provided to control air flow through the conduit means. Gauze or similar perforated elements can be provided at the inlet and/or outlet sides of the conduit means to preclude passage of foreign matter therethrough.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows a front view of an installed window unit including a ventilation system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a side elevation through section A-A in Fig. 1; Figure 3 shows the detail A in Fig. 2 to a larger scale, Figure 4 shows a front view of the head part of the window to a larger scale; and Figure 5 shows a plan section through the window head.

Fig. 1 shows a window 1 of standard wooden design comprising an external window frame 2 carrying therein a window sash 3 which is of standard pivotal type. The opening for the window in the building is bounded at the bottom by a concrete cill 4, at the side by side blocks 5, and at the top by internal and external concrete lintels 6, 7 and by brickwork 8. Permanent ventilation to the building is provided by means of a vent device 9 in accordance with the present invention. The vent device 9 is fitted at the top edge of the window frame 2 and specifically on the top transverse member or head 10 of the window.

The vent device 9 (see Fig. 3) comprises an elongate box conduit 11 of cellular form having internal ribs 12, and a bottom wall 13 of the conduit 11 lies in sealing relationship with the window frame head 10 by means of sealing strips 14 housed in slots in the head 10.

As can be seen from Fig. 4 the conduit 11 extends over the full width of the window, and the conduit can be formed as a continuous extrusion from which conduit sections of the desired size are cut. Standard preformed end caps 15 (in the same material and style as the conduit) serve to finish and close the cut conduit section 11 and also serve to extend the width of the vent device up to the width of the internal structural window opening size.

Before the window is presented to the window opening, the vent device 9 is secured to the window head 10 by any suitable means such as for example by screws 16.

Further, the conduit 11 includes an external drip 17 (or canopy) while projecting flangoc 18, 19 of the conduit 11 serve as check plates lying on either side of the window head 10. Conduits 11 of different depth can be provided to cater for different sizes of window head 10. Upstanding flanges 20 on the conduit 11 facilitate the placement of the device 9 in relation to the lintels 6, 7 and also facilitate the application of plaster finish.Means are provided to control air flow through the conduit 11 and can take the form of a slidable strip 21 fitted at the outlet side 22A of the conduit and having apertures which can be moved into and out of alignment with corresponding apertures on a web plate 22 i.e. the control is of "hit and miss" type, a button or handgrip 23 serving for movement of the strip 21, but other forms of air flow control are very possible such as for example a more sophisticated fully sealed gasketted sliding/hinged control system. A gauze screen 24 is fitted at the inlet side 24A of the conduit 11 to preclude passage of foreign matter through the conduit. The conduit 1 1 (and the caps 15) can be of any suitable material e.g.

plastics, and can be made by any suitable means e.g. by extrusion or by moulding.

To install the window and vent into the window opening, the vent device 9 is firstly secured to the prepared window 1 by screws 16 and the combined unit is then offered up to the structural window opening and then fixed into position through the jambs in the normal manner. If roughcast/plaster is to be used to finish the walls (internally and/or externally) the vent device 9 provides the dual roll of a plaster/roughcast stop bead and allows for good effective and economic finishing.

The above permanent ventilation system for windows provides a simple, efficient and effective means of permanent ventilation involving the passage of air over the head of the window unit rather than through a punched (cut) opening in the window frame, sash or glazing. The system provides the following advantages over previous punched (cut) or integrally incorporated systems: 1. Provides much more adequate cross sectional area for more effective ventilation as opening is not restricted by structural strength of the window frame through which traditional vents are punched. This ensures that the system satisfactorily complies with Building Regulations, whereas- most other permanent ventilation systems (in windows) do not.

2. Provides much more flexibility in amount of ventilation used at any one time.

3. Allows for complete standardisation and non-disruption of the process of manufacturing all window units as the present system (if required) is fixed onto instead of into the window unit. The installation of the present system can therefore be very simply carried out on site or in the factory without any complication and at considerable saving in unit cost.

4. The present system is simple, unobtrusive and aesthetically pleasing.

5. The format of the present system allows for manufacture in various materials (depending on quality/standard required) ranging from a very cheap extruded high impact PVC to high quality/performance types extruded in aluminium. All types would be cut from long lengths to suit requirements thus making the whole process very economic and quick. The standardisation into one basic extruded section allows for very cheap production costs.

6. Because of the structure and form of the present system it is very simple to incorporate sound baffle systems into the unit at very low cost.

The flange 18 in addition to serving to locate the vent device 9 also assists sealing between the device 9 and the frame 2 and further provides aesthetic improvement to the complete vent plus window frame combination.

Further embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional side elevation of a ventilation system for a window as an alternative to the Fig. 1-5 embodiment; Figure 7 shows a side elevation of a further modified vent system; and Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional end view of a ventilation system in accordance with the present invention, fitted at an extruded plastics window frame; In Figs. 6 and 7 like parts to the parts of the Fig. 1-5 embodiment carry the same reference numerals. The vent device 9 of Fig. 6 is again fitted at the top edge of the window frame 2 and comprises a basic box conduit structure 11 which can be made by an extrusion process.However in the Fig. 6 embodiment the conduit 11 extends laterally to overhang the frame 2 as shown and the air outlet 22A is arranged horizontally rather than vertically as in the Fig. 1-5 embodiment.

As in Figs. 1 to 5 the vent 9 of Fig. 6 will extend over substantially the full width of the window, and it is a feature of the vent that it is of a decided elongate form ie. the conduit 11 has a length (L) considerably greater that its depth (D). In particular the conduit 11 can have a length (L) greater than ten times its depth (D) and preferably more than fifteen or even twenty times greater. Despite the relatively narrow form of the conduit 11, by having the outlet 22 arranged horizontally as in Fig. 6 the outlet can conveniently be provided with satisfactory area. It would be possible to have the air inlet 24A of the vent arranged horizontally in a similar manner. Control of air flow through the discharge 22A can be achieved by the means described for the Fig.

1-5 embodiment: thus a movable strip 21 with handgrip 23 can be provided for hit-andmiss control.

Fig. 6 shows the roughcast 25 on the lintels 6, 7, the roughcast stop bead 26 and internal strapping and plasterboard finishings 27. A finishing bead 28 is shown attached to the frame 2. The gasket 14 will be of a suitable material eg. neoprene, with appropriate dimensions and cross-sectional profile to suit different windows. The conduit 11 of Fig. 6 has a larger sectional volume than that of the Fig.

1-5 embodiment, to enable greater manipulation and control of air passing through the vent. The nose drip 17 is also of different shape. The conduit 11 of Fig. 6 can be cut to theappropriate length, and as in Figs. 1 to 5 the conduit ends can be closed by fitted end caps 15.

Fig, 7 shows the provision of a sound and thermal baffle structure in the form of a cartridge 29 located in the conduit 11 and preferably in the conduit 11 of Fig. 6 since it has larger cross-sectional volume. The cartridge of cartridges 29 can be inserted longitudinally into the conduit 11 (ie. vertically to the plane of the paper in Fig. 7) prior to the fitting of the end caps to the conduit. Appropriately shaped baffle elements (or core infill) can be provided in the cartridge 29. Thus in Fig. 7 shaped acoustic linings 30 provide an undulating air passage 31 between partly open ends 32, 33 of the cartridge 29. The cartridge 29 would also provide increased structural strength to the conduit 11.

In Fig. 8, a vent 9 in accordance with Figs.

6 and 7 is secured to the top of an extruded plastics window frame 50 rather than the wooden frame 2 of the previous embodiments, attachment being by means of screws 16. As can be seen, the extruded frame 50 is of cellular form and a steel box strengthening oono 51 may be provided. It will be noted that the top profiles of the frames 2 and 50 differ but it should be understood that due to the substantially planar underside 13 of the vent 9, the vent can conveniently accommodate this difference, the vent being stabily seated on the top of the frame in each case.

In the Fig. 8 embodiment, the sealing gasket 14 will require to be of greater depth to cater for the concave form top profile of the plastics frame 50 in comparison with the gasket 14 of the Fig. 6 embodiment where the wooden frame 2 has a planar top profile.

Claims

1. A vent device for fitting as a separate independent unit along an outer edge of a window frame member, said vent device comprising a duct member having transverse passage means for airflow between an air inlet and an air outlet at respective sides of the duct member; means for locating said duct member on the outer edge of a window frame member; end closures for the duct member; means for securing the duct member to a window frame member, a flange member extending laterally from said duct member at or adjacent the air inlet end of the duct member so as to extend parallel and in overlapping relationship with an exterior surface of said frame member; and seal means for location between the vent device and the frame member.

2. A window structure comprising a peripheral frame assembly and a separate individual vent device located along an outer edge of a frame member of said frame assembly; said vent device comprising a duct member having transverse passage means for airflow between an air inlet and an air outlet at respective sides of said duct member, end closures for the duct member, securing means for securing the duct member to said edge of the frame member; a flange member extending laterally from said duct member at or adjacent the air inlet end of the duct member so as to extend parallel and in overlapping relationship with an exterior surface of said frame member; and seal means for location between the vent device and the frame member.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the duct member is fitted at the top edge of the frame member.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the duct member has a substantially planar bottom surface to overlie an edge surface of the frame member.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the duct member extends over substantially the full width of a window at which the vent device is fitted.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the duct member comprises an elongate cellular form structure.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cellular form structure comprises a metal or plastics extrusion.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said end closures comprise caps fitted to the ends of the duct member.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at leat one of the air inlet and air outlet is arranged to extend horizontally when the duct member is fitted on the frame member.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the duct member is adapted to overhang the frame member and the horizontally arranged air inlet or outlet is located in the overhanging portion of the duct member.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a drip canopy extends along the length of one side of the duct member.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the duct member is cut from an extrusion.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a sound insulation element is provided in the duct member, said element serving additionally to increase the structural strength of the duct member.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the passage means is at least fifteen times greater than the depth of the passage means.

15. A vent device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein adjustable air flow control means are provided at the air outlet of the duct member.

16. A vent device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

17. A window structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.