[0001] This invention relates to a ventilated window structure and to a ventilated door
structure.
[0002] A typical window structure comprises a substantially rectangular frame which defines
an opening within which a window pane is disposed; the window pane is usually glass.
The frame is made up of an upper frame member and a lower frame member, which are
spaced by two opposed side frame members. The frame is generally secured to the surrounding
building structure by mortar. The surrounding building structure will generally comprise
a plurality of building elements such as bricks. A lintel is often provided between
the building structure and the upper frame portion.
[0003] It is known to provide a ventilator and/or a condensation drain in the region of
a window structure. The purpose of the condensation drain is to collect condensed
moisture running down the face of the window on the inside of the building. The drain
typically drains the moisture to the exterior of the building; the drain will usually
also provide a certain amount of ventilation.
[0004] An example of one such condensation drain is disclosed in GB-A-2128666. The condensation
drain is disposed between the window pane and the frame; usually this arrangement
entails cutting away part of the window pane.
[0005] In GB-A-2063460 there is disclosed a window ventilator which is disposed at the top
of the window pane; the ventilator is disposed between the window pane and the frame.
A similar type of ventilator is disclosed in GB-A-2062842 and GB-A-2113825.
[0006] The ventilators and condensation drains described in all the above specifications
(except GB-A-2113825) have the disadvantage that either the size of the frame and
window frame must be selected to take into account the space occupied by the drain
or ventilator, or the window pane must be cut to size on site. In GB-A-2113825 a complicated
frame arrangement is required.
[0007] GB 2194038 discloses a window and a door structure in accordance with the classifying
portions of Claims 1 and 2.
[0008] GB 1177473 discloses a window structure and a door structure including a frame wherein
facing members for the frame are provided on opposing sides of the wall and are each
provided with at least one aperture adapted to cummunicate with a ventilation gap
defined by confronting surfaces of the wall opening and frame.
[0009] In one aspect the present invention provides a window structure comprising a frame
having upper and lower frame portions spaced by opposed side portions and defining
an opening for receiving a window pane, the window frame further comprising a ventilator
capable of being installed between a building structure and one of the frame portions
and serving to appropriately space the building structure from the said one frame
portion and thereby define a ventilation path between opposite sides of the window
structure, the window structure including adhesive disposed between the building structure
and the said one frame portion and being characterised in that the ventilator comprises
two discrete ventilation means disposed at opposite sides of the window structure
and movable one relative to the other whereby to adjust the size of the ventilator
at least prior to its installation.
[0010] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a door structure comprising a
frame having upper and lower frame portions spaced by opposed side portions and defining
an opening for a door, the frame further comprising a ventilator capable of being
installed between a building structure and one of the frame portions and serving to
appropriately space the said one frame portion from the building structure and thereby
define a ventilation path between opposite sides of the door structure, the door structure
including adhesive disposed between the building structure and the said one frame
portion and being characterised in that the ventilator comprises two discrete ventilation
means disposed at opposite sides of the door structure and moveable one relative to
the other whereby to adjust the size of the ventilator at least prior to its installation
[0011] As used herein the term building adhesive is intended to include such compounds as
building mortar or mastic.
[0012] Preferably control means provided for controlling the amount of air flow permitted
through the ventilator; operating means can be provided for operating the control
means.
[0013] In a preferred construction the control means comprises a first elongate apertured
member disposed in close engagement with a second elongate apertured member. The first
member can be rigid with the rest of the window structure. The first and second members
can be relatively slidable between an open position in which the apertures on the
first and second members are in alignment and air flow through the ventilator is at
a maximum, and a second position in which the apertures on the first and second members
are out of alignment and air flow through the ventilator is at a minimum.
[0014] In one embodiment the operating means comprises an operating knob rigid with the
second apertured member.
[0015] In another embodiment the operating means comprises cord means secured to the second
apertured member, and having two ends, the arrangement being such that pulling one
end of the cord means causes movement of the control means to the open position, and
pulling the other end of the cord means causes movement of the control means to the
closed position. The cord means would typically comprise a single length of cord secured
to the second member about midway along its length, or two lengths of cord each secured
at one end to the second member.
[0016] Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a window structure according
to the invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a window structure according
to the invention;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a window or door structure
according to the invention;
Figures 4 to 6 are perspective views of part of a ventilator for the window or door
structure shown in Figure 3;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an operating means for use
with a window structure according to the invention; and
Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views of elements of the operating means shown in
Figure 7.
[0017] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a window structure according to the invention. A
lower portion 10c of a window frame 10 is disposed between an external sill 16 and
an internal sill 18: the external sill 16 is disposed on the exterior of the building,
and the internal sill 18 is disposed on the interior of the building.
[0018] The lower frame portion 10
c is disposed above a building structure in the form of a cavity wall structure which
comprises an outer leaf 20 and an inner leaf 22. Building adhesive in the form of
mortar 24 is provided between the leaves 20 and 22, and extends partially over the
upper surface thereof. Plaster 26 is provided on an internal face 22
a of the internal leaf 22. It will be appreciated that the cavity wall structure defines
an aperture which receives the frame 10. The frame 10 itself defines an opening which
receives a window pane (not shown).
[0019] A ventilator 6 defines a ventilation channel between the interior and the exterior
of the building. This channel extends principally between the lower frame portion
10c and the leaves 20 and 22.
[0020] The ventilator 6 comprises a plurality of elongate plastics extrusions. The extrusions
can be assembled and supplied as a complete unit, or can be assembled on site by the
person installing the ventilator 6. The latter assembly technique has the advantage
that the installer can select the sizes of extrusion appropriate to the particular
window.
[0021] The ventilator 6 comprises ventilation means 32 including an inlet portion 28 and
an outlet portion 30.
[0022] The inlet portion 28 comprises two elongate members 34 and 36 separat.ed by spacing
means in the form of an elongate spacer 38 thereby defining a ventilation channel
between the members 34 and 36. The member 34 is provided with formations 34
a which are adapted to cooperate with formations 38
a on the spacer 38, to secure the spacer 38 to the member 34. The member 36 is provided
with formations 36
a which are adapted to cooperate with formations 38
b on the spacer 38, to secure the spacer 38 to the member 36.
[0023] Fixing means in the form of nails or screws (not shown) can be passed through the
members 34 and 36, and the spacer 38, to secure the inlet portion 28 to the frame
portion 10
c. For this purpose, preformed apertures (not shown) can be provided in the members
34 and 36, and in the spacer 38.
[0024] The outlet portion 30 comprises two elongate members 40 and 42 which are separated
by spacing means in the form of an elongate spacer 44, thereby defining a ventilation
channel between the members 40 and 42. The member 40 is provided with formations 40
a which are adapted to cooperate with formations 44
a on the spacer 44, to secure the spacer 44 to the member 40. The member 42 is provided
with formations 42
a which are adapted to cooperate with formations 44
b on the spacer 44, to secure the spacer 44 to the member 42.
[0025] Fixing means in the form of nails or screws (not shown) can be passed through the
members 40 and 42, and the spacer 44, to secure the outlet portion 30 to the frame
portion 10
c. For this purpose, preformed apertures (not shown) can be provided in the members
40 and 42, and in the spacer 44.
[0026] The outlet portion 30 is provided with a weathering member 40
b, which comprises a downwardly extending extension of the member 40. The weathering
member 40
b serves to inhibit the flow of rain into the ventilator and to act as a baffle against
high wind velocities. Also, the member 42 is provided with an upwardly extending weathering
member 42
c which, together with the member 40
b, defines an air inlet channel 43.
[0027] The members 34 and 42 are provided with overlapping ventilating members 34
b and 42
b respectively. The portions 34
b and 42
b engage the mortar 24 to define a ventilation channel 46 between the ventilating members
34
b and 42
b and the frame portion 10
c.
[0028] The amount of overlap between the portions 34
b and 42
b can be adjusted to suit the size of the window structure.
[0029] If desired portions similar to the portions 34
b and 42
b can be provided on the members 36 and 40 to provide a further ventilating member,
which abuts against the frame portion 10
c: however the omission of these portions results in savings in materials and does
not significantly affect the effectiveness of the ventilator.
[0030] The inlet portion 28 is provided with control means generally designated 48. The
control means 48 includes an elongate fixed member 50, and an elongate movable member
52. There is also provided operating means in the form of an operating knob 54 which
is secured to the movable member 52 for movement therewith.
[0031] The fixed member 50 is provided with formations 50
a and 50
b adapted to cooperate respectively with formations 34
c on the member 34 and formations 36
b on the member 36: this enables the fixed member 50 to be secured to the members 34
and 36.
[0032] The fixed member 50 is provided with a plurality of apertures 56 which are disposed
in a row extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fixed member
50 (i.e. the axis normal to the plane of the drawing). The apertures 56 are preferably
elongate with a longitudinal axis extending substantially normal to the longitudinal
axis of the fixed member 50.
[0033] The fixed member 50 is provided with opposing formations in the form of grooves 58:
the movable member 52 is slidably received in the grooves 58.
[0034] The movable member 52 is provided with a plurality of apertures 60 which are disposed
in a row which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the movable
member 52. The apertures 60 are preferably elongate with a longitudinal axis extending
substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the movable member 52.
[0035] The distance between the apertures 56 is substantially equal to the width of the
apertures 56 measured along the longitudinal axis of the fixed member 50. The distance
between the apertures 60 is substantially equal to the width of the apertures 60 measured
along the longitudinal axis of the movable member 52.
[0036] The movable member 52 can be moved relative to the fixed member 50 by pushing the
operating member 54 in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the members 50 and
52.
[0037] Thus, when the apertures 56 and 60 are aligned maximum air flow through the ventilation
channel 46 is permitted; when the apertures 56 and 60 are completely unaligned then
substantially no air flow will be permitted. Intermediate positions will allow an
inter-mediate amount of air flow.
[0038] Figure 2 shows another embodiment of window structure according to the invention.
An upper portion 10a of the window frame 10 is disposed below a building structure
which includes a cavity wall structure. The cavity wall structure has inner and outer
leaves 120 and 122 defining a cavity 162 therebetween. A lintel 164 is provided under
the leaves 120 and 122 and extends into the cavity 162. Mortar 102 is provided between
the building structure and the upper frame portion 10a. Part of the mortar 102 is
replaced with a ventilator 101 which provides a ventilation channel 146 from the interior
to the exterior of the building structure. The channel 146 extends between the upper
frame portion 10a of the window frame and the leaves 120 and 122.
[0039] The ventilator 101 comprises a plurality of elongate plastics extrusions. The extrusions
can be assembled and supplied as a complete unit, or can be assembled on site by the
person installing the ventilator. The latter assembly technique has the advantage
that the installer can select the size of extrusion appropriate to the particular
window.
[0040] The ventilator 101 comprises ventilation means 132 which includes an inlet portion
128 and an outlet portion 130.
[0041] The inlet portion 128 comprises two elongate members 134 and 136 separated by a spacing
means in the form of an elongate spacer 138, thereby defining a ventilation channel
between the members 134 and 136. The member 134 is provided with formations 134a which
are adapted to cooperate with formations 138a on the spacer 138, to secure the spacer
138 to the member 134. The member 136 is provided with formations 136a which are adapted
to cooperate with formations 138b on the spacer 138, to secure the spacer 138 to the
member 136.
[0042] Fixing means in the form of nails or screws (not shown) can be passed through the
members 134 and 136, and the spacer 138, to secure the inlet portion 128 to the frame
portion 10a. For this purpose, preformed apertures (not shown) can be provided in
the members 134 and 136, and in the spacer 138.
[0043] The outlet portion 130 comprises two elongate members 140 and 142 which are separated
by a spacing means in the form of an elongate spacer 144, thereby defining a ventilation
channel between the members 140 and 142. The member 140 is provided with formations
140a which are adapted to cooperate with formations 144a on the spacer 144, to secure
the spacer 144 to the member 140. The member 142 is provided with formations 142a
which are adapted to cooperate with formations 144b on the spacer 144, to secure the
spacer 144 to the member 142.
[0044] Fixing means in the form of nails or screws (not shown) can be passed through the
members 140 and 142, and the spacer 144, to secure the outlet portion 130 to the frame
portion 10a. For this purpose, preformed apertures (not shown) can be provided in
the members 140 and 142, and in the spacer 144.
[0045] The outlet portion 130 is provided with a weathering member 140b, which comprises
an upwardly extending extension of the member 140. The weathering member 140b serves
to inhibit the flow of rain into the ventilator and to act as a baffle against high
wind velocities. Also, the member 142 is provided with an upwardly extending weathering
member 142c which, together with the member 140b, defines an air inlet channel 143.
[0046] The members 134 and 142 are provided with overlapping ventilation members 134
b and 142
b respectively. The portions 134
b and 142
b abut the lintel 164 to define a ventilation channel 146 between the ventilating member
132
b and 142
b and the frame portion 10
a. As explained above, this space would normally be occupied by the mortar 102.
[0047] If desired, similar portions can be provided on the members 136 and 140, which abut
against the frame portion 10
a; however the omission of these portions results in saving in material and does not
significantly affect the effectiveness of the ventilator.
[0048] The inlet portion 128 is provided with control means generally designated 148. The
control means 148 includes an elongate fixed member 150 and an elongate movable member
152. There is also provided operating means in the form of an operating member 154
which is secured to the movable member 152 for movement therewith.
[0049] The fixed member 150 is provided with formations 150
a and 150
b adapted to cooperate respectively with formations 134
c on the member 134 and formations 136
b on the member 136; this enables the fixed member 150 to be secured to the members
134 and 136.
[0050] The fixed member 150 is provided with a plurality of apertures 156 which are disposed
in a row extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fixed member
150 (i.e. the axis normal to the plane of the drawing). The apertures 156 are preferably
elongate with a longitudinal axis extending substantially normal to the longitudinal
axis of the fixed member 150.
[0051] The fixed member 150 is provided with opposing formations in the form of grooves
158; the movable member 152 is slidably received in the grooves 158.
[0052] The movable member 152 is provided with a plurality of apertures 160 which are disposed
in a row which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the movable
member 152. The apertures 160 are preferably elongate with a longitudinal axis extending
substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the movable member 152.
[0053] The distance between the apertures 156 is substantially equal to the width of the
apertures 156 measured along the longitudinal axis of the fixed member 150. The distance
between the apertures 160 is substantially equal to the width of the apertures 160
measured along the longitudinal axis of the movable member 152.
[0054] The movable member 152 can be moved relative to the fixed member 150 by pushing the
operating member 154 in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the members 150
and 152.
[0055] Thus, when the apertures 156 and 160 are aligned maximum air flow through the ventilation
channel 146 is permitted; when the apertures 156 and 160 are completely unaligned
then substantially no air flow will be permitted. Intermediate positions will allow
an inter-mediate amount of air flow.
[0056] Referring to Figures 3 to 6 a building structure comprises a door or window frame
generally designated 300, a wall 302 extending around said frame and defining an aperture
in which the frame is received. A lintel 304 is disposed between the upper portion
of the frame 300 and the wall 302, and a ventilator 306 is disposed in a gap between
the lintel 304 and the frame 300: usually this gap would be filled with mortar or
mastic. Typically the wall 302 would be a cavity wall structure. Mortar 301 is provided
between the lintel 304 and the wall 302.
[0057] The ventilator 306 comprises an outlet portion 308 and an inlet portion 310. The
outlet portion 308 comprises two elongate extrusions 312 and 314 which are separated
by a spacer 316. The spacer 316 is provided with air flow channels to permit air to
flow therethrough; the spacer 316 is received between securing formations 313 and
315 provided in the extrusions 312 and 314 respectively.
[0058] The extrusion 312 is provided with an upwardly facing channel 317, whilst the extrusion
314 is provided with a downwardly facing channel 318. The channel 317 is wider than
the channel 314. The outer portion 308 is designed to be turned upside down so that
it can be selected whether the wider channel 317 faces up or down. Certain types of
roof structure (for example where there is no overhang above) are more suited to the
structure in which the channel 317 faces down. The channels 317 and 318 help to restrict
the ingress of moisture and to act as a baffle against the wind. The outlet portion
308 is shown in perspective in Figure 4.
[0059] Figures 5 and 6 show the inner portion 310 in exploded perspective views; Figure
5 shows the left hand side and Figure 6 shows the right hand side.
[0060] The inner portion 310 basically comprises a ventilating unit with control means in
the form of a "hit and miss" arrangement for controlling the cross-sectional area
available for air flow. It will be appreciated that the control means is similar to
the control means shown in Figures 1 and 2.
[0061] The inner portion 310 comprises an upper member 319 which partly overlies the top
of the frame 300, and which defines a channel 320 for receiving plaster 322. The upper
member 319 is provided with a plurality of apertures 324 arranged in a row. Grooves
326 are provided on each side of the apertures for receiving slidably an air flow
control member 328 with a plurality of apertures 328
a arranged in a row. The member 328 can be slid between a closed position in which
the apertures are completely unaligned to block the air flow completely and an open
position in which the apertures are completely aligned so that air flow is maximum.
[0062] The inner portion 310 also has a lower member 321 which incorporates a leg 323 which
projects under the apertures 324. The leg 323 serves to act as a baffle to prevent
the downward or upward flow of air; this helps to reduce drafts. The leg 323 also
conceals the apertures thereby improving the appearance of the ventilator as a whole.
[0063] A temporary covering member 330 is provided during installation of the ventilator.
The member 330 can be temporarily secured to one of the grooves 326 and serves to
collect any plaster or other debris which falls during installation. After installation
it can be removed.
[0064] An end member 331 is provided with apertures 332 and 333 respectively through which
screws 334 and 335 can pass respectively into formations 336 and 337 on the lower
and upper members 321 and 319. The end member 331 is provided with apertures 331
a through which screw 334
a can pass into the upper frame portion.
[0065] The lower member 321 is provided with a recess 321
a which receives a formation 319
a depending from the upper member 319. Thi provides a connection between the upper
and lower members 319 and 321.
[0066] The lower member 321 can be secured to the window frame by passing fixing means (such
as nails or screws) through apertures 339.
[0067] A right hand end member 338 is provided with control means and operating means for
controlling and operating movement of the air flow control member 328.
[0068] The control means comprises a lever 502 and intermediate member 504 and a control
member 506.
[0069] Operating means comprises an operating knob 508 (which is secured to the end member
338 through aperture 510) and an operating pin 512. The operating pin extends through
a slot 514 in the end member 338; the slot 514 is of circular shape with a centre
coincident with the aperture 510.
[0070] The pin 512 extends into an aperture 516 on the lever 502 so that the lever 502 can
pivot about the pin 512. The lever is provided with another aperture 518 at the other
end thereof, which receives a cylindrical projection 520 on the intermediate member
504, so that the intermediate member can pivot relative to the lever 502. The other
end of the intermediate member 504 is secured to the control member 506. The control
member is provided with a recess 522 which can receive a projection 524 on the lower
face of the movable air flow control member 328.
[0071] It will be appreciated that rotation of the knob 508 causes side to side movement
of the control member 506, which causes movement of the airflow control member 328.
In this way the air flow can be controlled.
[0072] In Figures 7 to 9 an alternative operating means is shown.
[0073] The operating means comprises two cords 340 and 341, a guide member 342 and an actuation
member 344.
[0074] The guide member 342 has projections 346 and 348 which are received in correspondingly
shaped apertures 350 and 352 in the leg 323; this arrangement serves to hold the guide
member 342 in a fixed position relative to the upper member 319. The guide member
342 defines guide channels 354 and 356 which act as guides for the cords 340 and 341
respectively.
[0075] The guide channel 356 extends laterally away from the guide channel 354, so that
the cord 341 extends first away from the cord 340, and then back towards the cord
340. This arrangement enables a vertical movement in ends 340
a or 341
a of the cords 340 and 341 to be translated into a horizontal movement in ends 340
a or 341
b.
[0076] The ends 340
b and 341
b of the cords 340 and 341 are secured at opposite ends of the actuation member 344.
The actuation member has a formation 358 adapted to be received within one of the
apertures of the control member 328. This arrangement ensures that movement of the
actuation member 344 causes movement of the control member 328. Thus, the ventilation
through the ventilator 306 can be controlled by pulling on a selected one of the ends
340
a and 341
a of the cords 340 and 341.
[0077] It will be appreciated that the cords 340 and 341 can be replaced with a single cord
provided that it is suitably secured to the actuation member 344, and that part of
its length passes along each of the guide channels 354 and 356.
[0078] An alternative cord control system is disclosed in our UK patent application no.
8902498.8 entitled "Control Device for a Rotatable Control Knob".
[0079] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 the ventilation member can be considered as the
parts of the inner and outer portions 308 and 310 which extend into the gap between
the wall 302 and the frame 300. It will be appreciated that these parts do not engage
or overlap. This is because the presence of the lintel 304 and frame 302 serves to
define an adequate ventilation passage, without the provision of any extra parts to
the ventilation member. Thus, in the simplest embodiment the ventilator need only
comprise inlet and outlet portions with the ventilation path through the body of the
gap being defined by the frame 300 and the lintel 304.
[0080] For this reason (ie the presence of the lintel 304) ventilation over the frame 10
is preferred to ventilation under the frame.
[0081] The spacer 316 is shown in perspective in Figure 4 and will be seen to comprise an
elongate member having a plurality of apertures 360 spaced by baffles 362. The spacer
316 may be similar to the spacers used in the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2.