This invention relates to a frame member, for example for use in the formation of window or door frames, the frame member defining a foam filled cavity. In particular, the invention relates to a frame member including at least one extruded metallic frame component, for example of extruded aluminium form.
Aluminium and other metallic materials have been used, for many years, in the manufacture of window and door frames. One disadvantage with the use of such materials is that they are of good thermal conductivity. Consequently, heat loss from a building including window or door frames of metallic form can be unacceptably high, and condensation tends to form on the window or door frames. In order to reduce these problems, it is known to manufacture frame members in such a manner as to include an inner frame component rigidly secured to, but spaced apart from, an outer frame component, the manner in which the frame components are interconnected being such as to provide a thermal break of good thermal insulting properties therebetween.
One known technique involves manufacturing the inner and outer frame components as a single unit that is shaped to define a channel, pouring a resin material into the channel and, once the resin has cured, machining away the metallic material originally interconnecting the inner and outer frame components to leave a frame member made of inner and outer frame components rigidly interconnected only by the resin material which provides the required thermal break between the inner and outer components.
Another known technique involves interconnecting the inner and outer frame components using components with relatively low thermal conductivity to define a void, and introducing a foaming material into the void to substantially fill the void.
In order to enhance the levels of thermal insulation that can be attained it is desirable to increase the distance by which the inner and outer frame components are spaced apart. Clearly, if the strength of the frame member is to be maintained, this can result in the arrangement by which the frame components are interconnected and by which the thermal break is provided being required to bear additional loadings.
It is an object of the invention to provide a frame member whereby the spacing of the frame components thereof can be increased.
According to the present invention there is provided a frame member comprising first and second frame components spaced apart from one another and connected to one another by a first bridge and by a second bridge, the first and second frame components and first and second bridges together defining an elongate void, a foam material located within the void and substantially filling the void, and a tie member interconnecting the first and second bridges to restrain the first and second bridges against movement towards or away from one another.
The tie member is conveniently provided with a series of openings through which the foam material extends such that the foam material extends continuously between the first and second frame components.
The first bridge conveniently comprises a plastics material component, conveniently of extruded form. The second bridge similarly conveniently comprises a plastics material component. Alternatively, the second bridge may take the form of one or more cured resin elements, cured in situ, providing a connection between the first and second frame components.
The first frame component may be of hollow form, and the foam material may extend continuously into the hollow of the first frame component.
The invention further relates to a method of manufacture of such a frame member.
The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring firstly to
It will be appreciated that with the inner and outer frame components 12, 14 interconnected by the first and second bridges 20, 22, an elongate void is formed therebetween which, as illustrated, is filled with a foamed material 26.
As shown in
As shown in
During assembly or manufacture, as illustrated in
During foaming of the foam material 26, it will be appreciated that significant loadings are applied to the bridges 20, 22 urging them apart. However, the presence of the tie member 30 serves to resist such movement, thereby ensuring that the final product is of the desired shape and that bowing or other deformation of the bridges 20, 22 is avoided. Likewise, the presence of the tie 30a serves to resist deformation of the outer frame component 14 that could otherwise occur during foaming of the material located therein.
It will be appreciated that by providing the tie member 30 between the bridges 20, 22, and thereby resisting bowing or other deformation thereof, the distance by which the inner and outer frame components 12, 14 are separated can be increased leading to an enhancement in the thermal insulating properties of the frame member 10 without resulting in deformation of the product.
Whilst the description hereinbefore relates to an arrangement in which both of the bridges 20, 22 take the form of extruded plastics material components or the like, the invention is not restricted in this regard.
As shown in
Subsequently, a first bridge 20 is slid into position, interconnecting the inner and outer frame components 12, 14 in much the same manner as the first bridge 20 of the embodiment shown in
In both of the embodiments described hereinbefore, once foamed, the foam material 26 serves to tightly lock the component parts of the frame member 10 to one another, the tie members 30 serving to restrain at least the first bridge 20 against bowing or deformation. Accordingly, the inner and outer frame components 12, 14 can be spaced apart by a relatively great distance. By arranging for at least one of the frame components 12, 14 to include a void (as in the embodiment of
Whilst the description hereinbefore relates to two specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made or incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1502484.7 | Feb 2015 | GB | national |