Patent Description:
With improvements in home insulation over recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for excess moisture in the air to escape. This can result in a build-up of condensation. Further, inhabitants of a building may not be exposed to outdoor air. To combat this, trickle ventilation (also known as background ventilation) in window frames has become increasingly common. Such trickle ventilation provides a small flow of air - a "trickle" - into the building. These trickle vents should still, however, provide protection against cold draughts.

Indeed, a number of building regulations require for trickle ventilation in new or replacement window frames. For example, in the United Kingdom this is set out in the <NPL>) - hereinafter referred to as "the Regulations". The purpose of this is to protect the health of occupants of the building by providing adequate ventilation. Without adequate ventilation, mould and internal air pollution might become hazardous to health.

The Regulations require for new buildings to have background ventilators on all rooms with external walls (see <NUM> of the Regulations). These background ventilators must have a minimum equivalent area of at least <NUM>,<NUM><NUM> for a habitable room or kitchen (rising to at least <NUM>,<NUM><NUM> for a single-storey dwelling) and <NUM>,<NUM><NUM> for a bathroom (see Table <NUM> of the Regulations). Similar requirements also apply when modifying existing buildings such as by replacing windows (see <NUM> and <NUM> of the Regulations) or adding rooms (see <NUM> of the Regulations).

While the Regulations specifically apply to the United Kingdom, such requirements for trickle ventilation are becoming increasingly common around the world.

With these increasingly-large trickle ventilators required, there are a number of issues presented. Firstly, even with a closed position the design of the trickle ventilators often does not allow for effective sealing. Thus, even in the closed position a flow of air may not be effectively prevented. The counter to this is the desire to reduce the overall profile of the device so as to avoid interfering with any window coverings as well as avoiding unsightly protuberances.

An earlier slot ventilator design is disclosed in <CIT>. The slot ventilator comprises a frame defining a slot with a longitudinal axis, at least one cover member, and a linkage connecting the cover member to the frame for movement between a first position in which the cover closes the slot and a second position in which the slot is open. The linkage is configured to allow the cover member to translate in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis away from the frame, and to rotate about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis, but to prohibit movement of the cover member in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. In the second position the cover member is positioned adjacent to and spaced from the frame and clear of the slot. This allows an unobstructed airflow to run through the slot ventilator.

However, in the closed position the cover member simply abuts the frame which does not necessarily achieve a strong seal against airflow. This also results in an increased protrusion of the device.

There is therefore a need for an improved vent for a window frame.

<CIT> discloses a slot ventilator which has first and second base portions which in use are secured to a facia, for example a window frame, one at each end of an elongate opening therein.

<CIT> corresponding to the preambule of claim <NUM> discloses a vent device for mounting over an air passageway in a window or a door frame.

<CIT> discloses a ventilator unit consists of an internal flap and an external louvre grille for mounting respectively on an inside and outside of a window frame <CIT> discloses a ventilator for controlling airflow through a slot extending through a window frame which has a flap pivotally connected to an apertured insert that is an interference push fit in the slot for mounting the ventilator without the use of separate fixing screws.

<CIT> discloses a window comprising a frame; a sash mounted in the frame; a ventilation module attached to or abutting with an outer peripheral surface of the sash and defining at least one ventilation passage through the window; and a ventilation flap pivotally connected to the ventilation module.

A vent for a window frame is provided according to claim <NUM>. This vent frame effectively blocks airflow while having a low profile. In other words, the vent frame fully surrounds the slot and/or defines a complete or full perimeter of the slot. That is, the slot is formed in the vent frame. By defines it is meant that the vent frame sets the boundaries of the slot. Particularly the frame body may define the slot.

The cover attachment may comprise a hinge for receiving the frame attachment. This is an effective way to attach the cover to the frame.

The hinge may extend through the cover member. This can further allow for reduction in the profile of the device.

The vent may further comprise a linkage connecting the frame attachment and the cover attachment, the linkage configured to allow the cover member to translate in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis away from the vent frame, and to rotate about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. Such a linkage can more effectively move the cover member out of the way of the slot and hence allow more air flow through the vent.

The cover attachment and/or the frame attachment may comprise a textured surface for retaining the cover member in a partially-open position between the closed position and the open position. This allows the vent to be placed in a partially-open position to allow further control of airflow through the vent.

The cover member may be a generally hemicapsule shell, defining a stadium perimeter surrounding the frame body in the closed position. This is an effective shape for the vent.

The cover member may be a generally cuboid shell, defining a rectangular perimeter surrounding the frame body in the closed position. This is an effective shape for the vent.

The vent may further comprise a seal surrounding the slot, the cover member arranged to contact the seal in the closed position to seal the vent. A seal can help to prevent airflow through the vent when it is closed and thereby improve insulation.

The vent frame may comprise one or more reinforcements extending across the frame body in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. These reinforcements allow for the outer size of the vent to be reduced.

The vent frame comprises one or more window fixing(s) for attaching the vent to a window frame. These allow for effective fitting of the vent to the window frame.

Each window fixing comprises an integral protrusion with one or more resiliently deformable arm(s) extending from the protrusion. The vent is formed in one piece with these integral protrusions, making the installation simpler.

The frame body may further comprise a fastening section for receiving a fastener to attach the vent to a window frame. This can further strengthen the attachment of the vent to the window frame.

The cover member may be formed of a plurality of cover portions. Having a plurality of cover portions can simply the manufacture of the vent and allow larger vent sizes to be produced.

Each cover portion may be independently moveable between: a closed position in which each cover portion completely envelops a corresponding portion of the frame body to block airflow through a corresponding portion of the vent; and an open position in which each cover portion is spaced from a corresponding portion of the vent frame to allow airflow through the corresponding portion of vent, wherein with each cover portion in the closed position the plurality of cover portions collectively completely envelop the frame body to block airflow through the vent. Having each cover portion independently moveable means that the airflow through the vent can be more particularly controlled.

The cover member may be a single continuous piece. A single cover piece can simplify the overall design of the vent and allow easy closing of the vent.

A window assembly is provided according to claim <NUM>.

A method of fitting a vent to a window frame is provided according to claim <NUM>.

The present specification makes reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, in which:.

A first example of a vent <NUM> for a window frame is shown in <FIG> in a first, smaller, size and in <FIG> in a second, larger, size. A second example of a vent <NUM> for a window frame is shown in <FIG> in a first, smaller, size and in <FIG> in a second, larger, size. Each vent <NUM> may be defined as a trickle vent. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature disclosed in relation to one embodiment and/or one size may equally apply to the other embodiment unless expressly stated otherwise.

<FIG> show the first example vent <NUM> in an open position. <FIG> shows the vent <NUM> from the front side - the side of the vent <NUM> which is faces, in use, away from a window frame, towards the interior of a building. <FIG> shows the vent <NUM> from a rear side - the side of the vent <NUM> which faces and contacts, in use, the window frame.

The vent <NUM> comprises a vent frame which defines a slot with a longitudinal axis L. The vent frame defines a full perimeter of the slot. That is, the vent frame fully surrounds the slot.

The slot may generally be defined as a gap in the vent <NUM> through which air can flow. The longitudinal axis L extends along the longest dimension of the slot. In other words, the vent frame fully surrounds the slot, and/or defines a complete perimeter of the slot. This may be referred to as the vent frame comprising the slot. The slot may be interrupted such as via one or more reinforcements <NUM> and/or guide vanes. These reinforcements <NUM> or guide vanes may act to direct a flow of air through the vent <NUM>. These reinforcements <NUM> may extend across the frame body <NUM> in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.

The vent frame comprises a frame body <NUM> and a cover attachment <NUM>. It may be this frame body <NUM> of the vent frame which defines the slot. The vent frame, in use, generally surrounds a through bore in a window frame. The vent frame may be continuous and define a complete perimeter of the slot. The frame body <NUM> may be generally continuous, defining an outer perimeter on a surface of the vent <NUM> which, in use, contacts the window frame. The continuous frame body <NUM> may be a unitary/integral piece - i.e. formed as one part. Alternatively, the continuous frame body <NUM> may be formed of multiple pieces attached together. As shown in <FIG>, there may be slight breaks in this continuous outer perimeter such as in the area of one or more window fixing(s) <NUM>. These do not affect the general perimeter shape of the frame body <NUM>.

For example, the frame body <NUM> may define a generally stadium perimeter as shown in the Figures. A stadium perimeter is defined as two-dimensional geometric shape constructed of a rectangle with semicircles at a pair of opposite sides. In alternative examples, the frame body <NUM> may define a generally rectangular perimeter. In any event, the perimeter may, in use, substantially surround the through bore formed in the window frame. The slot defined by the vent frame is then arranged around this through bore in the window frame.

The cover attachment <NUM> may take any suitable form, and the first and second example vent <NUM> show alternative forms for the cover attachment <NUM>. In the first example vent <NUM>, the cover attachment <NUM> is generally in the form of a hinge which receives a frame attachment <NUM> of a cover member <NUM> (discussed in detail below). That is, the cover attachment <NUM> is a slot which receives the frame attachment <NUM>. The cover attachment <NUM> may be resiliently deformable, so as to enable a snap fit between the cover attachment <NUM> and the frame attachment <NUM>.

The vent frame is attachable to a window frame to surround the through bore in the window frame. For example, the vent frame may comprise one or more window fixings <NUM> for attaching the vent <NUM> to the window frame. These window fixings <NUM> may be, for example, in the form of an integral protrusion extending from the frame body <NUM>. By integral, it is meant that the window fixing <NUM> and frame body <NUM> are formed as a single piece. The window fixing <NUM> may comprise one or more resiliently deformable arms which extend from this protrusion.

In use, the integral protrusion may be inserted into the through bore in the window frame. A total width of the integral protrusion including the resiliently deformable arms may excess the corresponding dimension of the through bore. Thus, during insertion the resiliently deformable arms may be deformed to reduce the total width. Thus, the resiliently deformable arms may retain the vent <NUM> to the window frame.

The vent <NUM> may, additionally or alternatively, further comprise a fastening section <NUM> for receiving a fastener to attach the vent <NUM> to a window frame. For example, as shown in the Figures the fastening section <NUM> may be a bore through the vent body <NUM>. This bore can receive a fastener such as a screw which is then screwed into the window frame. This fastening section <NUM> can be used in addition to the window fixings <NUM>, or alternatively to the window fixings <NUM>.

The vent <NUM> further comprises a cover member <NUM>. The cover member <NUM> is pivotally attached to the vent frame. The cover member <NUM> comprises a frame attachment <NUM> which is pivotally attached to the cover attachment <NUM> of the vent frame. This may be a direct pivotal attachment such as shown in the first example vent <NUM>. Alternatively, there may be an intervening linkage <NUM> such as shown in the second example vent <NUM> and described in detail below. The cover member <NUM> may be a single continuous piece as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the cover member may be formed of a plurality of cover portions 20a as shown in <FIG> and discussed in relation thereto below.

The cover member <NUM> is moveable, via this pivotal attachment, between a closed position and an open position. For the first example vent <NUM>, the open position is shown in <FIG> and the closed position is shown in <FIG>.

The cover member <NUM> simply moves between the open position and closed position by pivoting through the cover attachment <NUM> and frame attachment <NUM>.

In the open position, the cover member <NUM> is spaced from the vent frame to allow airflow through the vent <NUM>.

In the closed position, the cover member <NUM> completely envelops the frame body <NUM> to thereby block airflow through the vent <NUM>. That is, the cover member <NUM> entirely receives the frame body <NUM>. As can be seen in at least <FIG> and <FIG>, this means that for each part of the frame body <NUM> there is a corresponding part of the cover member <NUM> which is spaced outwardly of this in a plane of the window frame. In the first example, the frame attachment <NUM> of the cover member <NUM> forms a part of this envelopment as it covers the section of the frame body <NUM> from which the cover attachment <NUM> extends. The cover attachment <NUM> can extend through the cover member <NUM> as in the first example vent <NUM>.

The cover member <NUM> may be a generally hemicapsule shell. The hemicapsule shell defines a stadium perimeter surrounding the frame body <NUM> in the closed position. That is, the cover member <NUM> may be half of a capsule (in the same way as a hemisphere is half of a sphere). A capsule, or stadium of revolution, is a three-dimensional geometric shape consisting of a cylinder with hemispherical ends. Another name for this shape is spherocylinder. As above, a stadium is a two-dimensional geometric shape constructed of a rectangle with semicircles at a pair of opposite sides. Revolving this stadium about a line of symmetry bisecting the semicircles forms a capsule. The cover member <NUM> may not be exactly half of a capsule shell, but, instead, of this general shape. For the avoidance of doubt, the halving of the capsule is along its longest axis - that is, from pole to pole of each end hemisphere.

In alternative examples, the cover member <NUM> may be a generally cuboid shell, defining a rectangular perimeter that surrounds the frame body <NUM> in the closed position.

The cover attachment <NUM> and/or the frame attachment <NUM> may comprises a textured surface. This textured surface may be for retaining the cover member <NUM> in a partially-open position between the closed position and the open position. That is, the textured surface may result in frictional contact to hold the cover member <NUM> in the partially-open position. For example, there may be one or more of grooves, ridges, and/or knurling on the cover attachment <NUM> and/or the frame attachment <NUM>.

The vent <NUM> may further comprise a seal surrounding the slot. For example, the seal may be provided generally around the frame body <NUM> or the cover member <NUM>. The seal may be arranged such that the cover member <NUM> contacts the seal in the closed position in order to seal the vent <NUM> against airflow through the slot.

For situations where a larger vent <NUM> is desired, such as to increase airflow, the second size vent <NUM> of <FIG> may be provided. This vent <NUM> is generally in accordance with the first example vent described above in relation to <FIG>. The key difference between the two sizes is that the frame body <NUM> may be elongated in the direction of (along) the longitudinal axis L. A width and/or a depth of the frame body <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L may be substantially the same for the first size and the second size of the vent <NUM>.

The cover member <NUM> of the larger vent <NUM> may be formed of a plurality of cover portions 20a. Each cover portion 20a may be attached to the vent frame as discussed above in relation to the smaller vent <NUM>. Each cover portion 20a may be independently moveable between its own open position and closed position. In the closed position, each cover portion 20a envelops a corresponding portion of the frame body. A corresponding portion means the parts of the vent <NUM> which are aligned with the cover portion 20a in the direction of the longitudinal axis L.

Collectively, the cover portions 20a completely envelop the frame body <NUM> to thereby block airflow through the vent <NUM>. That is, the cover member <NUM> as defined by the plurality of cover portions 20a entirely receives the frame body <NUM>. There may be a slight gap between the two cover portions 20a in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, but this is negligible for the purposes of the present invention. The frame body <NUM> may have a solid portion that aligns with this gap to prevent airflow therethrough.

One or more cover portions 20a may be connectable to one another so as to move in conjunction. For example, via a latch or other component. In certain vents <NUM>, one or more cover portions 20a may be permanently affixed to one another so as to move together between the open and closed positions.

In this sense, a larger vent <NUM> may be provided according to the first example. Operation of this vent <NUM> is as described above in relation to the smaller vent of the first example.

<FIG> show a second example vent <NUM> in two sizes. The first size vent is smaller and is shown in <FIG>, and the second size vent is larger and is shown in <FIG>. This second example vent <NUM> has an alternative arrangement for the pivotal connection between the cover member <NUM> and the vent frame. Unless otherwise specified, all features of this second example vent <NUM> are in accordance with the description of the first example vent <NUM>.

The second example vent <NUM> further comprises a linkage <NUM>. The linkage <NUM> pivotally connects the frame attachment <NUM> and the cover attachment <NUM>. The frame attachment <NUM> may be a pivot point. The cover attachment <NUM> may be a pivot point. The linkage <NUM> is configured to allow the cover member <NUM> to translate in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L away from the vent frame, and to rotate about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis L. This linkage <NUM> is generally similar to that which is disclosed in <CIT>.

This arrangement allows for the cover member <NUM> to be further spaced away from the slot and thereby avoiding the disruption of any airflow through the vent <NUM>.

To move from the closed position of <FIG> to the open position of <FIG>, a user pulls the cover member <NUM> away from the vent frame. Movement between the closed position and the fully open position may be largely achieved through rotation about the cover attachment <NUM>. However, some rotation about frame attachment <NUM> may also occur, allowing the cover member <NUM> to translate in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. As the rotation axis of the cover attachment <NUM> is parallel with the longitudinal axis L, during movement between the closed position and they open position, the cover member <NUM> simply rotates about the cover attachment <NUM> in a first direction away from the vent frame and there is no movement of the cover member <NUM> in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the vent <NUM>. As no such parallel movement occurs in the cover member <NUM>, less clearance space is required on the window frame.

To move from the open position of <FIG> to the closed position of <FIG>, the user simply applies upward pressure to the cover member <NUM> to cause it to rotate in a direction back towards the vent frame.

<FIG> shows how one or both of the cover attachment <NUM> and/or the frame attachment <NUM> may comprise a textured surface for retaining the cover member <NUM> in a partially-open position between the closed position and the open position. For example, as shown in <FIG> there may be a series of ridges and grooves provided which produce friction to hold the cover member <NUM> in the partially-open position.

While <FIG> shows the cover attachment <NUM> spaced from the outer frame body <NUM>, this is not necessarily the case. In certain examples the cover attachment <NUM> may effectively form a section of the frame body <NUM> in this region. That is, the piece of frame body <NUM> shown in <FIG> in the region of the cover attachment <NUM> may be removed. The cover attachment <NUM> may then act as a structural component of the frame body <NUM>. This can allow the vent <NUM> to open to a greater extent as the linkage <NUM> may be elongated with the cover attachment <NUM> moved further from the frame attachment <NUM>.

For situations where a larger vent <NUM> is desired, such as to increase airflow, the second size vent <NUM> of <FIG> may be provided. This vent <NUM> is generally in accordance with the second example vent described above in relation to <FIG>. The key difference between the two sizes is that the frame body <NUM> may be elongated in the direction of (along) the longitudinal axis L. A width and/or a depth of the frame body <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L may be substantially the same for the first size and the second size of the vent <NUM>.

In this sense, a larger vent <NUM> may be provided according to the second example. Operation of this vent <NUM> is as described above in relation to the smaller vent of the second example.

A window assembly is also provided. Generally, a window assembly relates to the combination of a window frame and a vent <NUM> as described in the present invention. The window frame comprises a through bore. That is, a through bore from an interior of the window frame to an exterior. In use, this would be a bore from the interior of a building in which the window frame is mounted to the outside. The vent <NUM> may be of the first example or second example, or any other suitable vent <NUM>. The vent <NUM> is attached to the window frame such that the vent frame, particularly the frame body <NUM>, substantially surrounds the through bore.

A method of fitting a vent <NUM> to a window frame is also provided. The vent <NUM> may be of the first example or second example, or any other suitable vent <NUM>. The window frame comprises a through bore. If the window frame does not comprise a through bore, one can be formed therein such as by drilling and/or milling. The method then comprises the step of providing a vent <NUM> as described herein. Then, the vent <NUM> is attached to the window frame such that the vent frame, particularly the frame body <NUM>, substantially surrounds the through bore.

Claim 1:
A vent (<NUM>) for a window frame comprising:
a vent frame defining a slot with a longitudinal axis, the vent frame comprising a frame body (<NUM>) and a cover attachment (<NUM>);
a cover member (<NUM>) comprising a frame attachment (<NUM>) pivotally attached to the cover attachment (<NUM>), the cover member (<NUM>) moveable between:
a closed position; and
an open position in which the cover member (<NUM>) is spaced from the vent frame to allow airflow through the vent (<NUM>),
wherein the vent frame comprises one or more window fixing(s) <NUM> for attaching the vent (<NUM>) to a window frame, each window fixing (<NUM>) comprising an integral protrusion with one or more resiliently deformable arm(s) extending from the protrusion,
characterized in that
the cover member (<NUM>) completely envelops the frame body (<NUM>) in said closed position to block airflow through the vent (<NUM>).