A frame system for a door or a window capable of withstanding an explosive force

Abstract

A frame system for a door or a window capable of withstanding an explosive force is provided, the frame system includes a frame adapted to receive a pane therein, a beading adapted to be attached to the frame to secure the pane to the frame, such that the beading includes a retaining portion adapted to be attached to the frame and to retain the pane to the frame, and a reinforcing member extending from the retaining portion, such that the frame includes a hole adapted to receive the reinforcing member therein, such that the beading when attached to the frame, the reinforcing member is inserted into the hole to reinforce the retention of the pane to the frame.

Description

A Frame System For A Door Or A Window Capable Of Withstanding An Explosive ForceTechnical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a frame system for a door or a window capable of withstanding an explosive force.Background

[0002] When an explosion happens, the conventional door or window with panes would not be able to withstand the explosive force generated from the explosion. Even if the panes are reinforced to withstand and do not shatter from the explosive force, the frame of the door or window would usually fail resulting in the dispersion of the panes, which would inevitably damage properties or injure people.

[0003] While there has been designs of frame systems capable of withstanding the explosive force, the designs are generally complicated and expensive and / or difficult to manufacture, resulting in increased cost of the frame.

[0004] It is thus an object of the present invention to improve or resolve the aforementioned problems.Summary

[0005] According to various embodiments, a frame system for a door or a window capable of withstanding an explosive force is provided, the frame system includes a frame adapted to receive a pane therein, a beading adapted to be attached to the frame to secure the pane to the frame, such that the beading includes a retaining portion adapted to be attached to the frame and to retain the pane to the frame, and a reinforcing member extending from the retaining portion, such that the frame includes a hole adapted to receive the reinforcing member therein, such that the beading when attached to the frame, the reinforcing member is inserted into the hole to reinforce the retention of the pane to the frame.

[0006] According to various embodiments, the frame may include a pane receiving face adapted to receive the pane and a beading receiving face adapted to receive the retaining portion of the beading, such that the hole deepens from and in a direction perpendicular to the beading receiving face.

[0007] According to various embodiments, the retaining portion may include a pane retaining side adapted to retain the pane and a frame facing side adapted to face the beading receiving face, such that the reinforcing member extends from the frame facing side and adapted to be inserted into the hole.

[0008] According to various embodiments, the hole may include a slot and the reinforcing member may include a plate adapted to be inserted fittingly into the slot.

[0009] According to various embodiments, the retaining portion further may include an attaching portion extending therefrom and adapted to attach the retaining portion to the frame.

[0010] According to various embodiments, the frame further may include a connecting portion extending therefrom and adapted to connect to the attaching portion to retain the beading to the frame.

[0011] According to various embodiments, the retaining portion and the reinforcing member are a unitary member.

[0012] According to various embodiments, the beading may include a top part and a bottom part opposite the top part, a left part and a right part opposite the left part, both the left part and the right part connected to the top part and the bottom part to form the beading, such that the top part, the bottom part, the left pail and the right part forms a perimeter around the pane and arc detachable from each other to be installed separately to the frame.

[0013] According to various embodiments, the frame may further include a frame gasket attached thereto and adapted to be disposed between the frame and the pane when the pane is installed into the frame.

[0014] According to various embodiments, the beading may further include a beading gasket attached to the retaining portion and adapted to be disposed between retaining portion and the pane when the beading is installed to the frame.Brief Description of Drawings

[0015] Fig. 1 shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a frame system for a window capable of withstanding an explosive force.

[0016] Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of the frame system in Fig. 1 along line A- A.

[0017] Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the beading in Fig. 2.

[0018] Fig. 4 shows sectional view of the frame in Fig. 2.

[0019] Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the frame.

[0020] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the beading.

[0021] Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the frame with the beading attached to the frame.Detailed Description

[0022] In the following examples, reference will be made to the figures, in which identical features are designated with like numerals.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a frame system 100 for a window capable of withstanding an explosive force. While a window is shown, the frame system 100 is suitable for a door. Fig. 1 shows the frame system 100 includes a frame 110 adapted to receive a pane 120 therein. Frame 110 surrounds the pane 120 where the pane 120is inserted into the frame 110 to be retained by the frame 110. Frame system 100 includes a beading 130 adapted to be attached to the frame 110 to secure the pane 120 to the frame 110 when the beading 130 is attached to the frame 110. Beading 130 may include a top part 130T and a bottom part 130B opposite the top part 130T, a left part 130L and a right part 130R opposite the left part 130L, both the left part 130L and the right part 130R connected to the top part 130T and the bottom part 130B to form the beading 130, such that the top part 130T, the bottom part 130B, the left pail 130L and the right pail 130R form a perimeter around the pane 120 and may be detachable from each other to be installed separately to the frame 110. Length of the top part 1307 and the bottom part 130B of the beading 130 may be perpendicular to the length of the left part 130L and the right part 130R of the beading 130. Accordingly, the top part 130T may be parallel to the bottom part 130B and the left part 130L may be parallel to the right part 130R. Frame 110 and beading 130 may be made of aluminium.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of the frame system 100 in Fig. 1 along line A-A. As shown in Fig. 2, the beading 130 is attached to the frame 110 while the pane 120 is being retained between the beading 130 and the frame 110. To install the pane 120 to the frame system 100, the pane 120 is first inserted into the frame 110 such that the pane 120 rests against a shoulder 110S of the frame 110. As shown in Fig. 1, the frame 110 surrounds the pane 120, and the pane 120 is secured by the frame 110 on one side 120A thereof. Shoulder 110S abuts the one side 120A of the pane 120. Beading 130 may then be attached to the frame 110 and pressed onto the another side 120B of the pane 120, opposite the one side 120A within the frame 110. Frame 110 may include an external facing side 110E and an internal facing side 110N, whereby when the frame system 100 is installed on the wall of a room, the external facing side 110E faces the exterior of the room and the internal facing side 110N faces the internal of the room. As such, the beading 130 faces the interior of the room and the frame 110 faces the exterior of the room. Accordingly, the one side 120A of the pane may face the exterior of a room when installed and the another side 120B may face the interior of the room. Pane 120 may be made of glass and therefore transparent. Pane 120 may be bulletproof glass. Alternatively, the pane 120 may be replaced by an opaque panel, c.g. steel panel.

[0025] Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the beading 130 in Fig. 2. Beading 130 includes a retaining portion 132 adapted to be attached to the frame (not shown in Fig. 3) and to retain the pane (not shown in Fig. 3) to the frame, and a reinforcing member 134 extending from theretaining portion 132. Retaining portion 132 may include a pane retaining side 132P adapted to retain the pane 120 and a frame facing side 132S adapted to face the beading receiving face (not shown in Fig. 3), such that the reinforcing member 134 extends from the frame facing side 132S and adapted to be inserted into the hole (not shown in Fig. 3). Reinforcing member 134 may be an elongated member and extend along the length of the beading 130. For example, the reinforcing member 134 may be an elongated rectangular plate adapted to be inserted into the hole. Alternatively, the reinforcing member 134 may include a plurality of segregated members, c.g. rods, and spaced apart from each other along the length of the beading 130. Reinforcing member 134 may include a combination of elongated members and segregated members. Reinforcing member 134 may be extend linearly in a direction perpendicular to the frame facing side 132S as shown in Fig. 3 or may be curved. Retaining portion 132 may further include an attaching portion 136 extending therefrom and adapted to attach the retaining portion 132 to the frame 110. Retaining portion 132 and the reinforcing member 134 may be separatable. Retaining portion 132 may include a recess 132R adapted to receive the reinforcing member 134, i.c. the reinforcing member 134 may be inscrtablc into recess 132R of the retaining portion 132. For this configuration, the reinforcing member 134 may be inserted cither into the hole 112 of the frame or the recess 132R of the beading 130 before attaching the beading 130 to the frame. Beading 130 and / or reinforcing member 134 may be made using a high strength material, e.g. high strength steel, and is rigid and inflexible. Alternatively, beading may be made of other suitable material, e.g. aluminium. Retaining portion 132 and the reinforcing member 134 may be a unitary member, such that the retaining portion 132 and reinforcing member 134 arc formed as a single member. As a single member, the beading 130 has a higher strength, and tire frame system 100 is able to withstand a stronger explosive force. Reinforcing member 134 may be at least 15mm long and at least 5mm thick. Preferably, the reinforcing member 134 has a length of 20mm and a thickness of 6mm. Once installed, the beading 130 may not be detachable thereafter. Hence, to uninstall the beading 130, the beading 130 may be damaged.

[0026] Fig. 4 shows sectional view of the frame 110 in Fig. 2. Frame 110 includes a hole 112 adapted to receive the reinforcing member (not shown in Fig. 4) therein, such that the beading (not shown in Fig. 4) when attached to the frame 110, the reinforcing member is inserted into the hole 112 to reinforce the retention of the pane (not shown in Fig. 4) to the frame 110. While the hole 112 deepens in a direction perpendicular to the beading receiving face HOB, it ispossible for the hole 112 to deepen in a direction at an angle non-pcrpcndicular to the beading receiving face 110B. Frame 110 may include a pane receiving face 110P adapted to receive the pane and a beading receiving face 110B adapted to receive the retaining portion (not shown in Fig. 4) of the beading , such that the hole 112 deepens from and in a direction perpendicular to the beading receiving face HOB. Referring to Fig. 2, the hole 112 may be disposed nearer to the pane 120 than the internal facing side 110N, such that there is sufficient thickness of material, e.g. about the width of the shoulder 110S, at an internal shoulder 110H, between the hole 112 and the internal facing side 1 ION of the frame 110. By having a thickness, the internal shoulder 11 OH has sufficient material to withstand an explosive force without it failing. Referring to Fig. 4, the pane receiving face 110P may be perpendicular to the beading receiving face 110B, although it is not necessary so. Hole 112 may include an elongated hole extending along the length of the frame 110. For example, the hole 112 may be a slot for receiving the elongated member. Alternatively, the hole 112 may include a plurality of segregated holes spaced apart from each other along the length of the frame 110. Hole 112 may include a plurality of tubular holes. Hole 112 may include a combination of elongated holes and segregated holes. Sectional profile of the hole 112 is profiled to correspond to the sectional profile of the reinforcing member so that the reinforcing member may be inserted fittingly into the hole 112. Hence, the hole 112 may deepen linearly as shown in Fig. 4 or may be curved. Frame 110 may further include a connecting portion 114 extending therefrom and adapted to connect to the attaching portion (not shown in Fig. 4) to retain the beading (not shown in Fig.4) to the frame 110. Connecting portion 114 may be disposed adjacent the hole 112. When the beading is installed to the frame 110, the reinforcing member is inserted into the hole 112 and the attaching portion is connected to the connecting portion 114 to retain the beading to the frame 110. Hence, the beading is not attached to the frame 110 via the reinforcing member as the reinforcing member is for reinforcing the beading against an explosive force onto the one side 120A of the pane 120. When installed, the pane is held in place by the shoulder 110S and the retaining portion (not shown in Fig. 4) of the beading and against the beading receiving face 110B of the frame 110. As it can be clearly understood, an explosive force onto the another side (not shown in Fig. 4) of the pane will be opposed by the shoulder 110S of the frame 110 such that the pane is prevented from being dislodged from the frame system 100. On the other hand, when the explosive force is onto the one side (not shown in Fig. 4) of the pane, the pane will be opposed by the beading such that it is prevented from being dislodged from the frame system 100. Alternatively, the beading may be attached to the frame 110 via the reinforcingmember. For example, the reinforcing member may be fitted to the hole 112 or even interference fitted to the hole 112 to enable the reinforcing member to be retained in the hole 112 via friction, such that the beading is attached to the frame 110 via the reinforcing member. In this configuration, the attaching portion need not be included in the embodiment. Compared to conventional frame systems which may use screws to reinforce headings and hence not able to determine the design load of the frame system, the frame system 100 of the present invention is able to provide a pre-determined design load required by the frame system 100 based on force loading required. This is accomplished by varying the material, dimension of the reinforcing member.

[0027] Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the frame 510. As shown in Fig. 5, the frame 510 may include a hollow profile, which is typical for aluminium structure. Frame 510 includes the hole 512 adapted to receive the reinforcing member (not shown in Fig.5) therein. Frame 510 may include the pane receiving face 51 OP adapted to receive the pane (not shown in Fig. 5) and a beading receiving face 510B adapted to receive the retaining portion (not shown in Fig. 5) of the beading (not shown in Fig. 5) . Frame 510 may include a base 510E opposite the beading receiving face 510B and a proximal side 510X at one end of the base 510E and a distal side 510D at the opposite end of the one end. Shoulder 510S is disposed at the distal side 510D of the frame 510. Pane receiving face 510P may be perpendicular to the beading receiving face 510B, although it is not necessary so. Frame 510 may further include a connecting portion 514 disposed at the proximal side 510X and adapted to connect to the attaching portion (not shown in Fig. 5) to retain the beading to the frame 510 as shown later. Frame 510 may include a supporting portion 516 adapted to support the reinforcement member when inserted into the frame 510. Supporting portion 516 may be adjacent the proximal side 51 OX. Frame 510 may include a rib 516R spanning across the hollow profile of the frame 510 connecting the hole 512 to the base 510E to reinforce reinforcing member and spaced from the proximal side 510X. Supporting portion 516 may be formed by the rib 516R, the proximal side 510X, part of the base 510E and part of beading receiving face 510B. By providing the supporting portion 516 that is able to reinforce any sudden high impact movement of the reinforcing member, the frame system would be able to withstand higher external force than conventional frame system.

[0028] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the beading 630. Beading 630 includes a retaining portion 632 adapted to be attached to the frame (not shown in Fig. 6) and to retain the pane (not shown in Fig. 6) to the frame, and a reinforcing member 634 extending from the retaining portion 632. Retaining portion 632 may include a pane retaining side 632P adapted to retain the pane 620 and a frame facing end 632S adapted to face the beading receiving face (not shown in Fig. 6), such that the reinforcing member 634 extends from the frame facing end 632S and adapted to be inserted into the hole (not shown in Fig. 6). Retaining portion 632 may further include an attaching portion 636 extending therefrom and adapted to attach the retaining portion 632 to the frame. Retaining portion 632 and the reinforcing member 634 may be a unitary member, such that the retaining portion 632 and reinforcing member 634 are formed as a single member, as shown in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig.6, the retaining portion 632 and the reinforcing member 634 may have the same width. Reinforcing member 634 may be substantially as long as the retaining portion 632. Referring to Fig. 7, the retaining portion 632 is nearer to the pane, e.g. in contact and adjacent the pane, than the attaching portion 636 so that the beading is able to better withstand the sudden high impact movement of the pane due to an explosive force. In other words, the attaching portion 636 is disposed behind the retaining portion 632 from the pane and hence docs not provide the main resistance to the sudden movement of the pane. Attaching portion 636 may be designed to be incorporated as a decorative finishing for the frame.

[0029] Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the frame system 700 with the beading 630 attached to the frame 510. As shown in Fig. 7, when the beading 630 is installed to the frame 510, the reinforcing member 634 is inserted into the hole 512 and the attaching portion 636 is connected to the connecting portion 514 to retain the beading 630 to the frame 510. As shown in Fig. 7, the hole 512 is in line with the another side 720B of the pane 720 such that the beading 630 when installed to the frame 510 is in direct contact with the pane 720 (via a beading gasket 730G). Frame 510 may further include a frame gasket 710G attached thereto and adapted to be disposed between the frame 510 and the pane 720 when the pane 720 is installed into the frame 510. Beading 630 may further include the beading gasket 730G attached to the retaining portion 632 and adapted to be disposed between retaining portion 632 and the pane 720 when the beading 630 is installed to the frame 510.

[0030] As clearly shown by the configuration of the frame system 100,700 above, while the frame system 100,700 is able to withstand a higher force than conventional frames, the design of the frame system 100,700 is relatively simple with minimal parts. Hence, being simple, it is inexpensive to manufacture, resulting in lower cost of the frame system 100,700. Due to the design of the frame system 100,700, from testing results, the frame system 100,700 is able to withstand the following ballistic ratings: FB Series EN1522, UL752, EN1O63, N1J 0108.01, STANAG 4569, etc. and Intruder Rating : RC Series ENT 627, etc.

[0031] A skilled person would appreciate that the features described in one example may not be restricted to that example and may be combined with any one of the other examples.

[0032] The present invention relates to a frame system for a door or a window capable of withstanding an explosive force generally as herein described, with reference to and / or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Claims

Claim1. A frame system for a door or a window capable of withstanding an explosive force, the frame system comprising:a frame adapted to receive a pane therein,a beading adapted to be attached to the frame to secure the pane to the frame,wherein the beading comprises a retaining portion adapted to be attached to the frame and to retain the pane to the frame, and a reinforcing member extending from the retaining portion,wherein the frame comprises a hole adapted to receive the reinforcing member therein, wherein the beading when attached to the frame, the reinforcing member is inserted into the hole to reinforce the retention of the pane to the frame.

2. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a pane receiving face adapted to receive the pane and a beading receiving face adapted to receive the retaining portion of the beading, wherein the hole deepens from and in a direction perpendicular to the beading receiving face.

3. The frame according to claim 2, wherein the retaining portion comprises a pane retaining side adapted to retain the pane and a frame facing side adapted to face the beading receiving face, wherein the reinforcing member extends from the frame facing side and adapted to be inserted into the hole.

4. The frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hole comprises a slot and the reinforcing member comprises a plate adapted to be inserted fittingly into the slot.

5. The frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retaining portion further comprises an attaching portion extending therefrom and adapted to attach the retaining portion to the frame.

6. The frame according to claim 5, wherein the frame further comprises a connecting portion extending therefrom and adapted to connect to the attaching portion to retain the beading to the frame.

7. The frame according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the retaining portion and the reinforcing member arc a unitary member.

8. The frame according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the beading comprises a top part and a bottom part opposite the top part, a left part and a right part opposite the left part, both the left pail and the right pail connected to the top pail and the bottom part to form the beading, wherein the top part, the bottom part, the left part and the right part forms a perimeter around the pane and are detachable from each other to be installed separately to the frame.

9. The frame according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the frame further comprises a frame gasket attached thereto and adapted to be disposed between the frame and the pane when the pane is installed into the frame.

10. The frame according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the beading further comprises a beading gasket attached to the retaining portion and adapted to be disposed between retaining portion and the pane when the beading is installed to the frame.

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