PANEL AND FRAME ARRANGEMENT

Abstract: A panel and frame arrangement (10) includes a panel (12) mounted in a frame (14). Resilient members (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) act between the panel (12) and the frame (14) to help set the position of the panel (12) relative to the frame (14). Various different designs of resilient member (16) are described.

Description: Panel and Frame Arrangement The present invention relates to panel and frame arrangements and particularly, but not exclusively, to the fixing of panels of glass, wood, plastic or metal in frames for applications in which the performance or aesthetics of the arrangement require accurate location of the panel within the frame. Installing sealed glazing units in window and door frames is one example of an application in which the performance and aesthetics of the arrangement requires the sealed unit to be accurately located within the frame. For this reason, it is known to set the position of the glazing panel relative to the frame by inserting packing or shims between the edge of the panel and the frame, within the rebate of the frame. In addition to locating a panel, these arrangements can reinforce the arrangement by transferring loads between the frame and panel. The present invention provides a panel and frame arrangement comprising a panel, a frame in which the panel is mounted, and at least one resilient member acting between the panel and the frame to help set the position of the panel relative to the frame. The resilience helps ensure accurate location of the panel within the frame, as will be described, without requiring such accurate construction or assembly of component parts. Preferably the resilient member resiliently supports at least part of the weight of the panel. The resilient member may be located at or near a corner of the panel. Preferably the resilient member is so formed as to resiliently bear on the panel in at least two perpendicular directions. The resilient member may be so formed as to engage the frame at locations to either side of a corner thereof, and engage the panel to urge the panel in a direction perpendicular to the frame at the said locations. The resilient member may have end portions which engage the frame, and a mid portion which engages the panel. Alternatively, the resilient member may have end portions which engage the frame or panel, and a mid portion, and at least one further portion between an end portion and the mid portion and at which the resilient member engages the other of the frame or panel. The resilient member may comprise a body of resilient material which substantially fills a gap, in use, between the panel and the frame. The resilient member may be curved and concave to receive a corner of the panel. Alternatively, the resilient member may comprise two curved portions which are convex to the panel to form a notch therebetween for receiving a corner of the panel. The arrangement may further comprise anti-slip means which provide engagement between the resilient member and the frame and/or panel to retain the resilient member in position relative to the frame and/or panel. The frame may comprise a rebate to receive the edge of the panel, the resilient member being housed within the rebate to be substantially not visible in the finished arrangement. The resilient member may be so formed as to allow ventilation fluids to pass around the edge of the panel. The arrangement preferably comprises a plurality of resilient members as aforesaid, located at respective positions around the panel. The resilience of the members is preferably selected with reference to the weight of the panel, and is preferably selected to substantially urge the panel to a rest position which is central within the frame. The invention also provides a resilient member for use in the panel and frame arrangement defined above. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a vertical, partial view of a panel and frame arrangement according to the present invention, with beading removed to show components within the rebate of the frame, and illustrating four alternative embodiments of the invention; and Fig. 2 corresponds to Fig. 1 and shows four further embodiments. Fig. 1 shows a panel and frame arrangement 10 comprising a substantially planar panel 12 and a frame 14 in which the panel 12 is mounted. The arrangement 10 further comprises resilient members 16a, hereinafter called springs, which act between the panel 12 and frame 14 to help set the position of the panel 12 relative to the frame 14. In more detail, the panel 12 is generally rectangular and may be, for instance, a sealed glazing unit or other substantially planar panel for mounting in the rebate 18 of the frame 14. As will be readily apparent to the skilled man, the panel 12 requires accurate location in the frame 14 to ensure that the arrangement 10 can perform as designed, for instance to ensure that gaps are not left between an edge of the panel 12, and the mouth of the rebate 18. This could occur if the panel 12 moved too far from one side of the frame 14. Alternatively, if the panel 12 was too close to one side of the frame 14, ventilation of air or condensation around the edge of the panel 12 could be hindered or prevented, with consequential likelihood of long term damage to the sealed unit 12 or frame 14. In order to ensure accurate alignment of the panel and frame, springs 16 are provided at each corner of the panel 12 to act between the panel 12 and the frame 14. Various designs of spring can be devised. Figs. 1 and 2 each show four different designs. It is to be understood that in practice, the springs used could be all of one design, or could be a mixture of different designs or could be used with solid (non-resilient) blocks or shims. The spring 16a comprises a strip of resilient material (such as a synthetic plastics material or metal) which, when installed, curves around the corner 20 of the panel 12 to engage the corner 20 mid-way along its length, and have two free ends 22 which press against the frame 14 at the bottom of the rebate 18. The spring 16a may be straight when relaxed, requiring flexing to be inserted as described, or may be pre-formed into a curved shape. This choice will depend in part on the resilience of the material chosen, and on the force required to locate the panel. The mid-point of the spring 16a, at which the corner 20 is engaged, may be provided with a notch for more accurate location and to ensure that the resilience of the spring 16a does not cause the components to come out of alignment. If a spring 16a is used at each of the four corners of the panel 12, each spring 16a will resiliently press the panel corner 20 away from the frame 14, so that the final position of the panel 12 relative to the frame 14 will be determined by the balance of the various resilient forces applied to the panel corners. In a preferred arrangement, substantially the whole weight of the panel 12 is borne by the springs 16 so that the panel is set or centred in position by the springs 16, but consequently, it may be appropriate to provide stronger springs at the bottom of the panel than at the top. Fig. 1 also illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the springs 16b are formed with a barb or pin 24 formed at the ends 26 to engage corresponding formations in the rebate 18. Again, the spring 16b is sprung into its convex shape and presses against the panel 12 at the corner thereof. The result of the pressure against the panel corner, and the formations 24 secures the spring 16b in position relative to the frame 14. Again, as described above, this embodiment would be provided with four springs 16b, one at each corner of the panel 12, and having spring strengths appropriate to ensure correct positioning of the panel 12 relative to the frame 14. Fig. 1 shows a third alternative in which a spring 16c is more tightly concave than the springs 16a, 16b so that the ends 28 return from the frame 14 to engage the panel edge 30 away from the corner 20. In addition, the corner 20 may be engaged by a point mid-way along the spring 16c, or the spring may be sufficiently tightly curved to avoid contact at the corner 20. Engagement between the springs 16c and the frame 14 is provided at two positions 32, each between a respective end 28, and the mid-point of the spring 16c. Thus, this spring shape provides four points of contact along its length, two with the panel 12, and two with the frame, and possibly a fifth with the corner 20. Again, four resilient members 16c would be provided, one at each corner of the panel 12, and having appropriate spring strength to ensure adequate positioning of the panel 12. A particular advantage of the spring 16c arises during the installation of the panel 12. This is because their shape allows them to slide relative to the frame, around a curved path, before the panel is fully installed. Two springs 16c can be positioned at adjacent corners of the frame 14, but with their neighbouring ends projecting further than in their finished position, and thus with their other ends relatively withdrawn. This allows the panel to be introduced between them, and pushed against the projecting ends to slide the springs around until the withdrawn ends engage the corresponding sides of the panel. Fig. 1 also shows a fourth design of spring 16d, comprising two portions 34 which present convex faces to the panel 12, to engage the panel 12 slightly away from the corner 20. The ends of the spring 16d then return to engage the frame 14, and at the mid-point of the springs 16d, the two portions 34 meet to engage the corner of the frame 14 at the base of the rebate 18. Thus, the concave surfaces of the portions 34 together form a notch to receive the corner 20. There may be formations provided (not shown) by which the springs 16d engage the panel 12 or frame 14 to prevent relative movement of the spring and the panel or frame, for reasons explained above. Again, there would normally be four springs 16d, one at each corner of the panel 12, to ensure adequate positioning of the panel 12. The springs 16d could be formed by scoring a plate or curved piece of resilient material, and then bending this material back on itself to form the shape shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows further examples of springs. A spring 16e is similar to the spring 16c, but the ends 40 turn right back to engage the frame 14, so that the spring 16e cannot slide in the manner described above. This form of shape can be further developed to the arrangement indicated at 16f in which the spring is in two independent parts, there being a break at the mid-point, where turned-in ends 42 engage the panel 12 close to the corner 20. It may be necessary to use a pin 44 to hold the springs 16f in position prior to installation of a panel. Again in each of these arrangements, resilience would be provided at each of the four corners of the panel, with spring strength chosen to ensure adequate positioning of the panel 12. Fig. 2 also shows further embodiments in which a spring 16g, 16h is in the form of a body of resilient material, such as rubber, synthetic rubber or the like, or other resilient packing material. The spring 16g substantially fills the corner of the frame 14 between the panel 12 and the floor of the rebate 18, to provide a cushion by which the panel 12 is held in position relative to the frame 14. The surface of the spring 16g facing the corner 20 appears in Fig. 2 to have a concave notch in it. This could be pre-formed to assist in locating the panel 12 relative to the frame 14, or could be the result of the corner 20 pressing into the spring 16g. The spring 16h differs from the spring 16g in that it is formed as a circular cylinder to provide a cushion in the corner, as described above, and either pre-formed with a locating notch, or receiving the corner 20 pressing into the spring 16h. Again, one of the spring bodies 16g, 16h would be provided at each corner of the panel 12, and having appropriate spring strength to ensure adequate positioning of the panel 12. It will be apparent from the embodiments described above that the springs 16 are tending to push the panel 12 away from the frame 14, but in other arrangements they could be attached to the panel to push the frame 14 away from the panel, in the sense that they remain fixed relative to one or other. It will be readily understood by the skilled man in the light of the above description that whereas the various springs 16 have been described in position at corners of the panel 12, which is the preferred location, further resilient members constructed on generally similar principles could be provided at other positions along the side of the panel 12, either in addition to or instead of springs 16 at the corners 20. It can also be seen that several of these embodiments, notably the springs 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f, bear on the panel in two perpendicular directions, which helps ensure accurate location or "self- centring" of the panel 12, thus making installation much easier than when solid shims or blocks are used. The rebate 18 can still be generally open with most of the designs, allowing ventilation around the edge of the panel 12. Bores or channels or apertures might be provided in or through any of the springs to provide adequate ventilation and drainage. In addition, or alternatively, bores, channels or apertures could be provided through the body of the frame, to provide for drainage and ventilation. The springs 16 all remain outside the edges of the panels 12 and can thus be hidden from view within the rebate 18. While it is preferred for the panel to be held resiliently at each point of securement, some applications could make use of rigid support at some positions, and resilience at others. Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Many other shapes could be envisaged, the particular choice of shape depending in part on the nature of the panel being located, the choice of material for forming the spring, and the required forces. Features such as the pins 24 could be used in various combinations with other spring shapes. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A panel and frame arrangement comprising a panel, a frame in which the panel is mounted, and at least one resilient member acting between the panel and the frame to help set the position of the panel relative to the frame. 2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the resilient member resiliently supports at least part of the weight of the panel. 3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resilient member is located at or near a corner of the panel. 4. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the resilient member is so formed as to resiliently bear on the panel in at least two perpendicular directions. 5. An arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the resilient member is so formed as to engage the frame at locations to either side of a corner thereof, and to engage the panel to urge the panel in a direction perpendicular to the frame at the said locations. 6. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the resilient member has end portions which engage the frame, and a mid portion which engages the panel. 7. An arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the resilient member has end portions which engage the frame or panel, and a mid portion, and at least one further portion between an end portion and the mid portion and at which the resilient member engages the other of the frame or panel. 8. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the resilient member comprises a body of resilient material which substantially fills a gap, in use, between the panel and the frame. 9. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the resilient member is curved and concave to receive a corner of the panel. 10. An arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the resilient member comprises two curved portions which are convex to the panel to form a notch therebetween for receiving a corner of the panel. 11. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, further comprising anti-slip means which provide engagement between the resilient member and the frame and/or panel to retain the resilient member in position relative to the frame and/or panel. 12. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises a rebate to receive the edge of the panel, the resilient member being housed within the rebate to be substantially not visible in the finished arrangement. 13. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the resilient member is so formed as to allow ventilation fluids to pass around the edge of the panel. 14. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of resilient members as aforesaid, located at respective positions around the panel. 15. An arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the resilience of the members is selected with reference to the weight of the panel. 16. An arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the resilience is selected to substantially urge the panel to a rest position which is central within the frame. 17. A resilient member for use in the panel and frame arrangement defined above. 18. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.

Inventors: NURCOMBE KEITH JOHN, NURCOMBE, KEITH, JOHN
Applicants: NURCOMBE KEITH JOHN, NURCOMBE, KEITH, JOHN
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A47B96
IPC codes: E06B3, E06B7