A hood assembly arrangement for a roof window

Abstract

 A hood assembly arrangement for a roof window having a roof window frame and a sash frame movably mounted on the roof window frame. The hood assembly arrangement has a locating arrangement for locating a hood relative to the roof window frame so that a seal between the hood and roof window is aligned when the roof window is in a closed position. The hood assembly arrangement further has a fastening assembly for retaining the hood in this position on the roof window frame.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a hood assembly arrangement for a roof window and in particular to a hood assembly arrangement for a roof window for easing installation of the hood.

[0002] It has been a long standing practice to incorporate roof mounted windows into properties to afford additional natural light and ventilation. For such roof mounted windows, a secure and watertight flashing is an integral component, including elements located around the frame of the window to direct excess water into run-off channels created by the flashing. One of these elements often employed is a hood structure which is generally located at the top of the window on a centrally pivoted model or a top hung model. The hood has a seal which engages with the roof window to prevent rain water from reaching vital components located at the top end of the roof window and from permeating the channels left available for necessary ventilation as dictated by building regulations.

[0003] While this hood is an essential element, it will only perform its function in an efficient manner if accurately located on the frame during installation. Only by correctly locating the hood can the required seal be formed to prevent the ingress of rain water. Traditionally, the hood is secured to the frame by fixing screws through the hood and into the wooden frame of the roof window. While this method is effective if the hood is first located securely, it is highly susceptible to the skill and conscientiousness of the individual installing the window. While the hood may be secured, a slight misalignment of the seal will potentially allow rain water to permeate between the seal and the part of the roof window in close proximity to the seal. In addition, if the hood requires replacement at any point during the life of the window, the procedure to change the hood would involve the removal and re-insertion of the screws, which again allows for misalignment issues regarding the hood seal. Furthermore, the initial installation and potential refitting of the hood using screws create holes in the hood and in the wooden frame which weakens the overall sealing integrity of the flashings and roof window.

[0004] Even assuming the individual installing the roof window has the requisite skill and undertakes the task with the required diligence, they would usually be positioned on a rooftop when installing the hood. In a precarious position such as a rooftop it can be more difficult to accomplish tasks, even those which would be considered routine for a skilled craftsman. As such, limiting the time exposed to the safety issue associated with working at heights, and the complexity of tasks carried out at these heights is greatly beneficial.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problem of locating and securing the hood of a roof window, and of ensuring the alignment results in an effective rain water seal.

[0006] A hood assembly arrangement for a roof window having a roof window frame and a sash frame movably mounted on the roof window frame, the hood assembly arrangement having a hood and a locating means for locating the hood relative to the roof window frame so that a seal means between the hood and roof window is alignable when the roof window is in a closed position, the hood assembly arrangement further comprising a fastening means for retaining the hood in this position on the roof window frame.

[0007] Preferably, the fastening means is a means for urging the hood into contact with the roof window frame.

[0008] Ideally, the fastening means is a non invasive fastening means. By non invasive we mean that the fastening means does not penetrate the hood the way currently used fixing screws do.

[0009] Ideally, the urging means urges the hood towards the roof window frame.

[0010] Preferably, the seal means comprises elongate seal housing means and elongate seal means mounted on the roof window and the hood respectively or vice versa.

[0011] Advantageously, factory fitting the frame mounted component of the hood assembly arrangement means that no fixings such as screws have to be applied to the roof window frame during installation. Bores for locating the frame mounted component can be formed in the factory and the component can be fitted there, meaning that all the installer must do is correctly align the locating means and activate the fastening means. This means that the elongate seal housing means and the elongate seal means are correctly aligned provided the installer follows a few simple locating instructions.

[0012] Preferably, the locating means is provided on the hood.

[0013] Alternatively, the locating means is provided on the roof window.

[0014] In a further embodiment, a part of the locating means is provided on the hood and another part of the locating means is provided on the roof window.

[0015] Ideally, the portion of the external surface of the roof window having the seal means at or about an upper joint between sash frame and roof window frame is a part of the sash frame.

[0016] Preferably, the seal means is provided by a flashing component on the sash frame.

[0017] Ideally, the seal means is provided by a flashing component on the upper sash frame member.

[0018] Preferably, the seal means is provided by the sash frame glazing border.

[0019] Ideally, the seal means is provided by the sash frame glazing border on the upper sash frame member.

[0020] Preferably, the elongate sealing means comprises gripping means for gripping a sealing member arrangement.

[0021] Ideally, the gripping means is located proximal to the lower edge of the hood.

[0022] Preferably, the elongate sealing means comprises at least one pair of spaced apart gripping brackets.

[0023] Ideally, the pair of gripping brackets are formed for compressively retaining the sealing member arrangement.

[0024] Preferably, the sealing member arrangement comprises an elongate strip formed for compressively retaining an elongate sealing member.

[0025] Ideally, the elongate sealing member is formed for spanning a gap defined by two mutually opposing upstands of the flashing member on the sash frame.

[0026] Ideally, the urging means is a clamping means.

[0027] Preferably, the urging means is a manually adjustable clamping means.

[0028] Ideally, a receiving means for engaging with the clamping means is provided.

[0029] Preferably, the receiving means is provided by an upstanding lip of the hood for engaging with the clamping means.

[0030] Preferably, the receiving means is a lip formable from the material of the hood for engaging with the clamping means.

[0031] Ideally, the locating means is locatable on the receiving means of the hood.

[0032] Preferably, the locating means is a visual marker to aid the user in positioning the clamping means on the hood.

[0033] Alternatively, the locating means is an indentation or recess on the hood.

[0034] Ideally, the locating means is an indentation or recess formed on the lip of the hood to aid the user in positioning the clamping means on the hood.

[0035] Further alternatively, the locating means is another means of identifying the correct position of the clamping means on the hood such as a clip, ridge or other identifiable feature.

[0036] Advantageously, correct positioning of the clamping means as directed by the locating means ensures that when the hood is pulled into position on the frame by the urging means, a sufficient rain water seal is provided between the elongate seal housing means and the elongate seal means of the window frame and hood.

[0037] Ideally, the manually adjustable clamping means has a hooking means and a manual adjustment means in operable engagement with the hooking means.

[0038] Preferably, the receiving means receives the hooking means of the clamping means.

[0039] Ideally, the manual adjustment means is adjustable to position the hooking means in order to securably engage the receiving means.

[0040] Ideally, the manual adjustment means is adjustable to releasably secure the hooking means in position once the hooking means has engaged the receiving means.

[0041] Preferably, the manual adjustment means is adjustable to apply and maintain a compressive force sufficient to pull the hood towards the window frame.

[0042] Advantageously, pressure is thereby applied to the seal in a direction which improves the efficiency of the seal to prevent ingress of rain water.

[0043] Preferably, the clamping means is attached to the frame of the window.

[0044] Ideally, the clamping means is attachable to an attachment surface of the window frame opposite that with the sash frame mountable therein.

[0045] Preferably, the attachment surface of the window frame for receiving the clamping means has a bore defined therein.

[0046] Ideally, the clamping means has an anchor.

[0047] Preferably, the anchor is insertable into the bore.

[0048] Ideally, the anchor is plastic or metallic or any material with sufficient strength and rigidity to perform the function of an anchor.

[0049] Preferably, the anchor has fixing means locatable thereon.

[0050] Ideally, the fixing means is a threaded screw means.

[0051] Alternatively, the clamping securing means is attachable to the window frame via any normal arrangement for fastening a component to a wooden frame.

[0052] Preferably, the anchor has a base.

[0053] Ideally, the manual adjustment means is rotatably attached to the base at one end.

[0054] Preferably, the hooking means is rotatably attached to the manual adjustment means at a point between the rotatable attachment of the manual adjustment means to the base means and an end distal this attachment.

[0055] Advantageously, as the manual adjustment means is rotated towards the hooking means, the hooking means moves away from the anchor allowing for engagement with the receiving means of the hood. When the manual adjustment means is rotated away from the hooking means, the hooking means is moved towards the anchor, securing the hooking means on the receiving means, and applying and maintaining a force between the two.

[0056] Ideally, when the manual adjustment means is rotated fully to a position where the hooking means is secured to the receiving means of the hood, the manual adjustment means releasably locks in position.

[0057] Preferably, the hooking means and manual adjustment means are manufactured from metallic wire or plastic.

[0058] Alternatively, the urging means has a part locatable on the frame of a window or component part thereof and a part locatable on the hood.

[0059] Ideally, the part locatable on the frame of a window or component part thereof and the part locatable on the hood are releasably attachable.

[0060] Preferably, the part locatable on the hood is a female part.

[0061] Ideally, the part locatable on the frame of a window or component part thereof is a male part.

[0062] Alternatively, the male part is locatable on the hood and the female part is locatable on the frame of a window or component part thereof.

[0063] Advantageously, the male and female parts of the urging means are mateable and once mated, attach the hood to the frame of the window, simultaneously aligning the seal and applying a compressive force between the hood and roof window frame.

[0064] Further advantageously, the male and female parts can be pre-located on the frame and the hood during manufacture eliminating the need for any alignment by the installer.

[0065] Preferably, the fastening means is pre-located on the frame and the hood during manufacture eliminating the need for any alignment by the installer.

[0066] Ideally, the window frame has the locating means locatable proximal to one end/edge of the window frame, preferably the top end/edge.

[0067] Preferably, the hood has a means for mating with the locating means of the window frame.

[0068] Advantageously, the locating means of the window frame mates with the hood and as a result further ensures accurate vertical positioning of the hood on the window frame.

[0069] Ideally, the locating means has a gripping means.

[0070] Preferably, the locating means is secured to the window frame.

[0071] Ideally, the locating means has a protrusion formed on its window frame contacting surface.

[0072] Preferably, the window frame has a bore defined in its locating means contacting surface.

[0073] Ideally, the protrusion of the locating means is insertable into the bore of the window frame.

[0074] Preferably, the protrusion of the locating means has fixing means locatable thereon. Ideally, the fixing means is a threaded screw means.

[0075] Advantageously, the insertion of the protrusion into the bore secures the locating means to the window frame.

[0076] Alternatively, the locating means is securable to the window frame via another means such as a screw.

[0077] Ideally, the mating means of the hood is a lip formable on the edge of the hood alignable with the end/edge of the window frame having the locating means.

[0078] Ideally, hook means of the locating means hooks the lip of the hood.

[0079] Preferably, the hood is pivotable into position on the roof window when the hood is located on the locating means.

[0080] Preferably, the hood and the elongate sealing means of the hood is pivotable into alignment with the elongate seal housing means of the sash frame when the hood is located on the locating means.

[0081] Ideally, the locating means are movable into a storage position for transit. Advantageously, the locating means can be moved so that they are contained substantially within the boundary of the roof window frame during transport and storage to avoid having parts protruding outside the normal volume of the roof window requiring more packaging materials.

[0082] Preferably, the locating means are rotatable between an in use position and a storage position.

[0083] Ideally, the locating means provides alignment between the hood and the roof window frame when the locating means are in the in use position.

[0084] Accordingly, the present invention provides a roof window having a roof window frame and a sash frame movably mounted on the roof window frame, the roof window having a hood mountable so as to overlap an upper joint between the roof window frame and the sash frame for covering the upper joint, the upper joint defining a ventilation means for the roof window, a portion of the external surface of the roof window at or about the upper joint having an elongate seal housing means and the internal surface of the hood having a corresponding elongate seal means which elongate seal housing means and elongate seal means are alignable for preventing ingress of rain, the roof window comprising a hood assembly arrangement having a locating means for locating the hood relative to the roof window frame so that the elongate seal housing means and the elongate seal means are alignable when the roof window is in a closed position and a fastening means for retaining the hood in this position on the roof window frame.

[0085] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only one embodiment of a hood assembly arrangement for a roof window in accordance with the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the hood in an attached position on the roof window frame;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the hood in an unattached position on the roof window frame;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the clamping means;

Figure 4 is a side view of the locating member;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the clamping means having a solid manual adjustment means;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the clamping means showing a threaded fixing means feature;

Figure 7 is a section view through the upper roof window frame member and the upper sash frame member; and

Figure 8 is a detail view of part K of Figure 7 showing a front ventilation flap of the roof window.

[0086] In the drawings, there is shown a hood assembly for a roof window indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 which provides a roof window 2 having a roof window frame 3 and a sash frame 31 see Figure 7 movably mounted on the roof window frame 3. A hood 4 is mounted so as to overlap an upper joint between the roof window frame 3 and the sash frame 31 for covering the upper joint which defines a ventilation channel 32 see Figure 7 and 8 for the roof window 2. A portion of the external surface 5 of the sash frame 31 at or about the upper joint has an elongate seal housing member 33 and the internal surface of the hood 4 has a corresponding elongate seal member 34 which are aligned for preventing ingress of rain water. The roof window 2 has a hood assembly arrangement indicated generally by reference numeral 6 having an optional locating member 7 see Fig. 1 for locating the hood 4 relative to the roof window frame 3 so that the elongate seal housing member 33 and the elongate seal member 34 align when the sash frame 31 is in a closed position and a toggle clamp 8 for retaining the hood 4 on the roof window frame 3 in the seal aligned position. The toggle clamp 8 also urges the hood 4 into contact with the roof window frame 3 when engaged so as to engage the sash frame 31 and elongate seal housing member 33.

[0087] Factory fitting the toggle clamp 8 of the hood assembly arrangement 6 means that no fixings such as screws have to be applied to the roof window frame 3 during installation. Bores 9 for locating the toggle clamp 8 can be formed in the factory and the toggle clamp 8 can be fitted there, meaning that all the installer must do is correctly align the hood 4 with the locating member 7, 20 and activate the toggle clamp 8. This means that the elongate seal members 33, 34 are automatically aligned provided the installer follows a few simple locating instructions.

[0088] The upstanding lip 10 of the hood 4 forms a receiving member 11 for engaging with the toggle clamp 8 and the optional locating member 7 is located on the receiving member 11 of the hood 4 in the form of a visual marker to guide the installer. Correct positioning of the toggle clamp 8 as directed by the locating member 7, 20 ensures that when the hood 4 is pulled into position on the frame 3 by the toggle clamp 8, a sufficient rain water seal is provided between the elongate seal members 33, 34 of the sash window frame 3 and hood 4.

[0089] The toggle clamp 8 has a hook 12 and a manual adjustment member 13 in operable engagement with the hook 12. The receiving member 11 receives the hook 12 of the toggle clamp 8 and the manual adjustment member 13 is adjustable to position the hook 12 in order to securably engage the receiving member 11 applying and maintaining a compressive force sufficient to pull the hood 4 towards the roof window frame 3 thereby applying pressure to the aligned elongated seal members 33, 34 in a direction which improves the efficiency of the seal there between to prevent ingress of rain water.

[0090] The toggle clamp 8 is attached to the outside surface 14 of the roof window frame 3 which has a bore 9 defined therein for receiving an anchor 15 of the clamp 8. The anchor 15 is inserted into the bore 9 and has a screw thread member 16 see Fig 6 for fixing into the bore 9 and easily screwing the anchor 15 out of the bore 9.

[0091] The anchor has a base 17 to which the manual adjustment member 13 is rotatably attached at one end. The hook 12 is rotatably attached to the manual adjustment member 13 at a point between the rotatable attachment 18 of the manual adjustment member 13 to the base 17 and an end 19 distal this attachment. As the manual adjustment member 13 is rotated towards the hook 12, the hook 12 moves away from the anchor 15 allowing for engagement with the receiving member 11 of the hood 4 in a fully open position. When the manual adjustment member 13 is rotated away from the hook 12, the hook 12 is moved towards the anchor 15, securing the hook 12 on the receiving member 11, and applying and maintaining a force between the two. When the manual adjustment member 13 is rotated fully to a position where the hook 12 is secured to the receiving member 11 of the hood 4, the manual adjustment member 13 releasably locks in position in a fully closed position.

[0092] The roof window frame 3 has locating members 20 locatable proximal to the top end/edge of the window frame 21. The locating members 20 have a hook end 29 for gripping an upper lip 22 of the hood 4 and as a result further ensures accurate vertical positioning of the hood 4 on the window frame 3 The locating members 20 have a protrusion 23 formed on its window frame contacting surface which is insertable into a bore 24 defined in the top surface 25 of the window frame 3. The hood 4 and the elongate sealing member 34 of the hood 4 is pivotable into alignment with the elongate seal housing member 34 of the sash frame 31 about the hook ends 29 of the locating members 20 when the hood 4 is located and pivoted on the locating members 20. The locating members 20 are movable into a storage position for transit. Advantageously, the locating members can be moved so that they are contained substantially within the boundary of the roof window frame 2 during transport and storage to avoid having parts protruding outside the normal volume of the roof window requiring more packaging materials. The locating members 20 are rotatable between an in use position and a storage position.

[0093] Referring to the drawings and in particular to Figures 7 and 8, a portion of the external surface 5 of the sash frame 31 at or about the upper joint has an elongate seal housing member 33. The elongate seal housing member 33 is provided by a flashing component on the upper sash frame member of the sash frame 31. In the drawings, the elongate seal housing member 33 is provided by the sash frame glazing border 33. The elongate sealing member 34 has a pair of spaced apart gripping brackets 34 for gripping the sealing member components 36, 37. The gripping brackets 34 are located proximal to the lower edge 38 of the hood 4. The pair of gripping brackets 34 are formed for compressively retaining an elongate strip 36. The elongate strip 36 is also formed for compressively retaining an elongate sealing member 37. The elongate sealing member 37 is formed for spanning a gap defined by two mutually opposing upstands 39 of the flashing member 33 mounted on the sash frame 31 for forming a rain water seal there between. Obviously, misalignment of the hood 4 during installation can prevent the accurate alignment of the seal allowing rain water to pass into the ventilation channel 32 and potentially on into the building.

[0094] In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment.

[0095] In the preceding discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of the said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

[0096] The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hood assembly arrangement for a roof window having a roof window frame and a sash frame movably mounted on the roof window frame, the hood assembly arrangement having a hood and a locating means for locating the hood relative to the roof window frame so that a seal means between the hood and roof window is alignable when the roof window is in a closed position, the hood assembly arrangement further comprising a fastening means for retaining the hood in this position on the roof window frame.

2. A hood assembly arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening means is a means for urging the hood into contact with the roof window frame.

3. A hood assembly arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fastening means is a non invasive fastening means.

4. A hood assembly arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locating means is provided on the hood or on the roof window or a part of the locating means is provided on the hood and another part of the locating means is provided on the roof window.

5. A hood assembly arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the urging means is a clamping means, preferably a toggle clamp,

6. A hood assembly arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein a receiving means for engaging with the clamping means is provided.

7. A hood assembly arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the receiving means is provided by an upstanding lip of the hood for engaging with the clamping means.

8. A hood assembly arrangement as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the locating means is locatable on the receiving means of the hood.

9. A hood assembly arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the locating means is a visual marker, indentation or recess on the hood or another means of identifying the correct position of the clamping means on the hood such as a clip, ridge or other identifiable feature to aid the user in positioning the clamping means on the hood.

10. A hood assembly arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roof window frame has locating means locatable proximal to one end/edge of the roof window frame.

11. A hood assembly arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the hood has a means for mating with the locating means locatable proximal to the one end/edge of the roof window frame.

12. A hood assembly arrangement as claimed in claim 11, wherein the mating means of the hood is a lip formable on the edge alignable with the one end/ edge of the window frame having the locating means.

13. A hood assembly arrangement as claimed in claim 12, wherein a hook means of the locating means locatable proximal to the end/edge of the roof window frame hooks the lip of the hood.

14. A hood assembly arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the hood is pivotable into position on the roof window when the hood is located on the locating means.

15. A roof window having a hood assembly arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

Drawing