GB2233380A

GB2233380A - Glazing strip

Info

Publication number: GB2233380A
Application number: GB8914694A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francis Mcardle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-06-27
Filing date: 1989-06-27
Publication date: 1991-01-09
Also published as: GB8914694D0

Abstract

A glazing strip comprises an elongate member having a front channel 16 which opens upwardly to receive and support the lower edge of a glazing pane 17, and a rear channel 18 immediately behind the front channel 16 to receive condensation running down the inside surface 19 of the pane. A drainage chamber 20 is located below the front channel 16 and extends rearwardly at least partially below the rear channel 18. The strip further including a first series of apertures 26 in and along the rear channel 18 to permit condensation received in the rear channel to drain into the chamber 20, a shield 28 extending downwardly from the front edge of the base 21 of the chamber, and a second series of apertures 27 in and along the base of the chamber immediately behind the shield to permit condensation to drain to the external environment. <IMAGE>

Description

GLAZING STRIP This invention relates to a glazing strip for use in mounting a glazing pane to a frame, and having means to allow condensation forming on the inside surface of the pane to drain to the external environment.

According to the present invention there is provided a glazing strip comprising an elongate member having a front channel which opens upwardly to receive and support the lower edge of a glazing pane, a rear channel immediately behind the front channel to receive condensation running down the inside surface of the pane, and a drainage chamber below the front channel and extending rearwardly at least partially below the rear channel, the strip further including a first series of apertures in and along the rear channel to permit condensation received in the rear channel to drain into the chamber, å shield extending downwardly from the front edge of the base of the chamber, and a second series of apertures in and along the base of the chamber immediately behind the shield to permit condensation to drain to the external environment.

Preferably, the chamber has a downwardly and forwardly sloped base which is stepped.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawings which is an enlarged cross-section of a glazing strip 10 approximately to scale.

The drawing shows, in cross-section, the glazing strip 10 mounted on a window frame 11. The glazing strip is of elongate form and of substantially constant crosssection along its length, which is in a direction normal to the plane of the drawing. The strip 10 may be formed by extrusion of a synethetic plastics material or a lightweight metal such as aluminium or aluminium alloy.

It is cut to the correct length to fit the width of the window opening into which it must fit.

The frame 11 has an interior sill 12 and an external ledge 13, with a rebate 14 between the two. The rebate presents a substantially horizontal surface 15.

The glazing strip 10 has a front channel 16 which opens upwardly to receive and support the lower edge of a glazing pane 17, which is shown as a single plate of glass but which may be a double-glazed or other glazing unit. The glazing strip further has a rear channel 18 immediately behind the front channel 16 to receive condensation running down the inside surface 19 of the pane 17.

A drainage chamber 20 is located below the front channel 16 and extends rearwardly at least partially below the rear channel 18. At its rear edge, the base 21 of the chamber has a short leg 22.

The glazing strip 10 is mounted on the frame 11 by placing the chamber 20 on the horizontal frame surface 15, with the rear part 23 of the channel 18 extending over the sill 12 and the front of the chamber 20 slightly overhanging the ledge 13 as shown. The leg 22 of the base 21 engages behind a retaining strip 24 secured to the frame surface 15. Also, if desired, the rear part 23 of the channel 18 may be affixed to the sill 12 by a series of screws 25.

A first series of apertures 26 are provided at regular intervals in and along the length of the rear channel, e.g. by drilling or punching, to permit condensation received in the rear channel 18 to drain into the chamber 20. Also, a second series of apertures 27 are provided in and along the length of the base 21 of the chamber 20 at the front thereof in the portion overhanging the ledge 13 to permit the condensation received into the chamber 20 from the channel 18 to drain onto the ledge 13 to the external environment.

It is to be noted that the base 21 of the chamber 20 slopes downwardly and forwardly as shown when the glazing strip 10 is mounted on the horizontal frame surface 15.

This assists in the drainage of condensation from the chamber 20, and helps to prevent the accumulation of water in the chamber. The path of condensation drainage is shown by the arrows in the drawing.

The glazing strip 10 further includes a shield 28 extending substantially vertically downwardly from the front edge of the base 21 of the chamber 20, the second series of apertures 27 being provided immediately behind the shield. The purpose of the shield 28 is to minimise the effect of "blow-back", i.e. the tendency of the outside wind to enter the apertures 27 and drive water in the chamber 20 back up through the apertures 26. The shield 28 also reduces draughts, even in the absence of condensation.

Blow-back of condensation is further reduced by stepping the base as shown at 29.

At yet a further measure to reduce blow-back, the two series of apertures 26 and 27 may be staggered or offset relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the glazing strip 10, although this is not essential in view of the shield 28.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A glazing strip comprising an elongate member having a front channel which opens upwardly to receive and support the lower edge of a glazing pane, a rear channel immediately behind the front channel to receive condensation running down the inside surface of the pane, and a drainage chamber below the front channel and extending rearwardly at least partially below the rear channel, the strip further including a first series of apertures in and along the rear channel to permit condensation received in the rear channel to drain into the chamber, a shield extending downwardly from the front edge of the base of the chamber, and a second series of apertures in and along the base of the chamber immediately behind the shield to permit condensation to drain to the external environment.

2. A glazing strip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chamber has a downwardly and forwardly sloped base which is stepped.

3. A glazing strip substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.