This application takes priority from and claims the benefit of Australian Patent Applications No. AU 2013901507 filed on Apr. 30, 2013 and No. AU 2013903516 filed on Sep. 12, 2013.
The present invention is directed to a flashing, and to a frame comprised of a number of lengths of the flashing, for use in the installation of building openings such as window frames.
Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.
Many buildings are constructed about a timber or steel framework. The framework is typically covered with a membrane and cladding on its outer side. The cladding may be any of a number of different types. For example, it is known to use timber and also synthetic weatherboards, a single layer of brick or even rendered polystyrene foam.
Window frames are set into the building framework and usually the cladding butts up against the window frame. Given the myriad of cladding types and building construction styles the junction between the window frame and the cladding is often problematic since it varies depending on the type of window frame and the type of cladding in each construction situation.
It would be desirable if a product were provided that made for a consistent platform for window installation and which was suitable for most commonly used window types, configurations and cladding types.
In addition to the above concern, whenever a window is installed into a building wall there is a possibility that the window frame could leak.
However, the sill of the window frame should not be completely sealed as drainage must be incorporated into the sill to allow for the discharge of moisture such as condensation which may build up around the window.
It would be desirable if a product were provided that would support the frame but at the same time encourage drainage of condensation to an outside of the frame and which would present an obstacle to ingress of condensation or other moisture into the building.
It is an object of the invention to provide a product which addresses one or more of the above described problems or which is at least a commercially attractive alternative to those products that have hitherto been known in the prior art.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a support frame for a window frame, the support frame comprising:
four sections of flashing each said section of flashing including:
a window frame support plate having a window frame side and building framework side,
a first longitudinal wall extending from the window frame side of the support plate, and one or more longitudinal stiffening box sections continuous with said plate for imparting rigidity thereto, wherein two of the sections comprise sill and header flashings spaced apart at either end by the remaining two sections, which comprise jamb flashings; and
joiners connecting adjacent ends of said four sections, each joiner including one or more pairs of biscuit portions with each biscuit of a pair being dimensioned to be received into a box section of a respective flashing,
wherein, in use the first longitudinal wall presents a barrier to the progress of moisture.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention each section of the flashing further includes a second longitudinal wall extending from the building framework side thereof for reception between layers of the building framework.
The second longitudinal wall may include at least one line of weakness for detaching said wall if desired.
Preferably each joiner includes a first slotted member for receiving an end of the first wall of the previously described flashing.
It is preferred that each joiner also includes a second slotted member for receiving an end of the second wall of the flashing.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a support frame as previously described in combination with spacers wherein the spacers are located upon the window support plate with spaces therebetween for condensation from the window frame to egress therethrough.
Another aspect of the invention encompasses a window installation comprising a support frame as previously described in combination with a window frame.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a flashing for supporting a window frame, including:
a window frame support plate having a window frame side and building framework side;
a first longitudinal wall extending from the window frame side of the support plate; and
a longitudinal stiffening formation continuous with the plate for imparting rigidity thereto.
In a further embodiment of the invention a window frame support frame may be provided that comprises four lengths of the flashing joined together wherein two of the sections comprise sill and header flashings spaced apart at either end by the remaining two sections comprise jamb flashings.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a joiner corresponding to a flashing according to claim 8 including one or more pairs of biscuit portions wherein the longitudinal stiffening formation of the flashing includes one or more box sections and wherein each biscuit of the pair is dimensioned to be received into one of said box sections.
Each joiner may include a first slotted member for receiving an end of the first wall of the flashing.
Preferably the joiner includes a second slotted member corresponding to a second wall of the flashing.
Preferably the longitudinal stiffening formation comprises at least one longitudinal box section.
Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:
a shows a window flashing according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
b shows a joiner for forming lengths of the flashing of
c shows the joiner of
Referring now to
Flashing 2 is preferably formed as an aluminum extrusion, though other types of material, for example various plastics, may also be suitable.
The flashing comprises an elongate window frame support plate 4 which has a window frame support side 6 (identified in
Extending from the window frame side of the inner end there is a first longitudinal wall or “fin” or “upstand” 14. Furthermore, extending outward (in fact downward as shown in
For example, where the flashing is used in a block construction building it may be desirable to detach the portion of the second longitudinal wall.
A longitudinal stiffening formation in the form of a box section 17 is located on the building frame work side 8 of the support plate 4 towards the outside end 12 thereof. The box section 17 imparts rigidity to the plate.
As can be seen in
It will be realized that different versions of the flashing may be provided to accommodate narrower or broader widths of building material.
It will be observed in
The sill 22 is attached to the first longitudinal wall 14 by means of a series of rivets (not shown) with sealant (not shown) disposed between the longitudinal wall 14 and the sill 22. The sill 22 is typically comprised of an aluminum window frame extrusion as is well known. Such extrusions come in many different shapes and often include internal voids or cavities which are prone to collecting condensation. Such a cavity is indicated as item 21 in
The second longitudinal wall 16 is disposed between the framework 18 and external cladding 24. The cladding 24 is fastened to the framework 18 through the second longitudinal wall 16, for example by a series of nails (not shown). A suitable sealant 7 is disposed between the cladding 24, the box section 17 and the second longitudinal wall 16 as shown in
It is most convenient to join the four lengths of flashing 2A-2D (which comprise the support frame 30) together at their ends by using a suitably shaped biscuit joiner 2E as illustrated in
Referring now to
Drops of condensation 32 may form inside the cavity 21 of the sill 22. Those drops are able to flow as indicated in
Consequently, condensation is able to exit from the window frame without damaging the internal cladding 20 (visible in
Furthermore, as shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
The joiner 46 is provided with six biscuits 38a, 38b, 40a, 40b, 42a, 42b that are paired, with each member in a pair being set at an angle of 90 degrees to each other as shown. Each biscuit is received into a corresponding cavity of a box section 38 to 32 of the flashing 36 so that the resulting joint has strength and stability.
A lower leg 16a is provided also of “H” style cross section so that it may accommodate the wall of the extrusion that fixes to the structural frame or masonry substrate. Different embodiments of the joiner have this leg set at different positions along the joiner to accommodate extrusions that suit, for example, 70 mm frame, 90 mm Frame and masonry installation.
Covers 53 and 57 run over the outside of the biscuits so that a gap is left between the covers and the biscuits that is sufficient to snugly receive the ends of the box sections 38 to 32 of the flushings 36. Accordingly it will be understood that the joiner provides a snug seal to the ends of the flushings 36. Consequently a suitably rigid frame of the type illustrated as item 30 of
The remaining
Joiners similar to that of
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features.
The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.
Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term “substantially” or “about” will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.
Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2013901507 | Apr 2013 | AU | national |
2013903516 | Sep 2013 | AU | national |