External cover assembly for an opening in a building, system and method

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an external cover assembly for an opening in a building such as a window or door aperture which can be fitted from inside a building, an external cover system including such a cover and a lifter, and a method of covering an opening in a building such as a window or door aperture. The described embodiments can allow for work such as painting and repairs to be executed on external surfaces from the inside of the building.

Background

There is a need to cover openings in buildings during building works to protect people from falling from the opening if the works are above ground level, to prevent paint chips, dust etc generated from the building works and debris, tools etc from passing through the opening to the external environment, and to prevent weather intrusion.

In particular, during repairs, maintenance or replacement of sash windows the window is typically required to be removed from the building for the renewal works, thus leaving an exposed window frame opening in a building. For windows fitted to floors above ground level, scaffolding must be erected around the building or height management systems such as elevated platforms used to prevent workers falling, adding great time and cost to the renewal works, particularly for buildings having a large number of windows above ground level.

Given that the repairs, maintenance or replacement works may take some days, it is important to cover the opening to meet height safety requirements, prevent weather intrusion and damage to the building and its contents. Also, works within the building can generate dust and paint chips, which are preferably contained within the building, and there is a risk of tools falling from the opening.

Previously methods to block up openings at height, such as door, window and lift well openings, include installing a flat board such as plywood to cover or block up the opening. There is a need to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary

According to the invention there is provided an external cover assembly for an opening in a building such as a window or door aperture, the assembly including a cover expandable from a collapsed configuration in which the cover can pass through the aperture, to an expanded configuration in which the cover surrounds the aperture, the cover being securable in the expanded configuration against an external surface of the building and configured for fixing internally of the building.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover is formed of multiple parts that are movable relative to each other as the cover expands and retracts. Preferably, the cover is formed of two rigid parts having substantially planar portions that slide over each other. Preferably, the cover is configured to be laterally expandable.

The cover assembly can have a surround configured for extending around the cover for sealing engagement with the wall. The surround can have viewing windows and/or openable vents formed therein. The cover preferably has support members coupled to a side of the cover which faces inward in use, the support members being telescopic to enable expansion of the cover from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration. Preferably, the support members are engagable for lifting and manipulating the cover assembly. In a preferred form, an uppermost support member is positioned above a centre of gravity of the cover assembly so that when the cover assembly is lifted from this support member, the cover assembly can swing to allow it to be moved through the aperture during installation.

In preferred embodiments, the cover assembly has securing members extending therefrom, the securing members being configured to extend internally of the building from the cover to be fixed to at least one anchor secured internally of the building. The or each anchor can be a bar extending across or down the aperture and configured to bear against an internal side of the window frame or wall of the building. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an external cover system for an opening in a building such as a window or door aperture, including a cover assembly of the above described type and a lifter configured for engaging an upper portion of the cover, the lifter being configured to lift and swing the cover about a lateral axis so that the cover can be passed through the aperture and supported while fixing to the building.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an external cover system for an opening in a building such as a window or door aperture, comprising:

a cover assembly for an opening in a building such as a window or door aperture, the cover assembly including a cover expandable from a collapsed configuration in which the cover can pass through the aperture, to an expanded configuration in which the cover surrounds the aperture, the cover being securable in the expanded configuration against an external surface of the building and configured for fixing internally of the building, wherein the cover assembly comprises support members engagable for lifting and manipulating the cover, the support members being coupled to a side of the cover which faces inward in use and telescopic to enable expansion of the cover from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration, and

a lifter configured for engaging at least one of the support members to lift and swing the cover about a lateral axis so that the cover can be passed through the aperture and supported while fixing to the building.

In preferred embodiments, the system includes a tether securable between the lifter and a lower portion of the cover to facilitate swinging of the cover. Preferably, the lifter has elongate arms that extend through the aperture while passing the cover assembly through the aperture.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of covering an opening in a building such as a window or door aperture, including the steps of:

providing a cover assembly having a cover that is expandable from a collapsed configuration in which the cover can pass through the aperture, to an expanded configuration in which the cover surrounds the aperture, the cover being securable in the expanded configuration against an external surface of the building and configured for fixing internally of the building;

providing a lifter configured for engaging an upper portion of the cover, the lifter being configured to lift and swing the cover about a lateral axis so that the cover can be passed through the aperture and supported while fixing to the building;

lifting and rotating the cover;

advancing the cover through the opening;

rotating the cover to a generally vertical position;

retracting the cover to bring it into contact with an external surface of the building;

securing the cover against the building.

The step of securing the cover assembly can include positioning a bar across or vertically down the opening for engagement with a frame of the opening or an internal wall, and securing the cover to the bar.

Preferably, rotation of the cover assembly is achieved by manipulating a tether extending between a lower portion of the cover and the lifter.

Brief description of the drawings

In order that the invention may be more easily understood, an embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1: is a perspective internal view of a window frame with the sashes removed therefrom;

Figure 2: is an external view of the window frame with sashes removed;

Figure 3: is an external front view of an external cover assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4: is a close perspective external view of the cover assembly;

Figure 5: is an internal view of the cover assembly;

Figure 6: is a perspective internal view of the cover assembly;

Figure 7: is a side view of the cover assembly;

Figure 8: is a close internal view of the cover assembly;

Figure 9: is a perspective view of a lifter for use with the cover assembly;

Figure 10: is another perspective view of a lifter for use with the cover assembly;

Figure 11 : is a perspective view of the lifter supporting the cover assembly in an elevated position;

Figures 12 to 16: are views showing the cover assembly being advanced through the window opening;

Figure 17: is a view showing the cover assembly being supported in position while being secured to the building;

Figure 18: is a perspective external view of the cover assembly secured in an as used position against a building;

Figure 19: is a perspective internal view of the cover assembly in secured in an as used position against a building;

Figure 20: is an internal perspective view of the cover assembly with vertical arms for an adaptor extended;

Figure 21 : is an internal perspective view of the cover assembly with an adaptor fitted thereto, with various details of the cover assembly omitted for clarity;

Figure 22: is an internal perspective view of the cover assembly with a first embodiment of a horizontal adjustment member fitted thereto, various details of the cover assembly being omitted for clarity.

Figure 23: is another internal perspective view with another horizontal adjustment member fitted thereto.

Detailed description

Figures 3 to 10 illustrate a cover assembly 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The cover assembly 10 is configured for covering an opening in a building such as a window or door aperture.

To illustrate operation of the cover assembly 10, Figures 1 and 2 show a window frame 12 having a window aperture 14. The window frame 12 has had its sashes removed to show the operation of the cover assembly 10 and will be covered by the cover assembly 10, as to be detailed below.

The assembly 10 includes a cover 16 expandable from a collapsed configuration in which the cover 16 can pass through the aperture 14, to an expanded configuration in which the cover 16 surrounds the aperture 14. In the expanded condition, the cover 16 substantially seals the aperture 14 to prevent dust, paint and tools falling through the aperture 14, and prevents weather intrusion, while still allowing works to be performed safely at heights on the internal and external parts of the window frame.

The cover 16 is securable in the expanded configuration against an external surface of the building and configured for fixing internally of the building. In use, the cover 16 is offset from the building to allow works to the window frame 12 and aperture 14. In this regard, the cover assembly 10 allows for works to internal and external surfaces of the frame 12 from within the building. To achieve this, the cover 16 has a surround 18 configured for extending around the cover 16 for engagement with the wall. In other embodiments, the surround 18 can rest against an external wooden fascia as well as the wall, especially for windows alongside each other. The surround 18 acts to offset the cover 16 from the wall to provide access to external surfaces of the window frame.

The cover 16 is formed of multiple parts that are movable relative to each other as the cover 16 expands and retracts or contracts. In the illustrated embodiments, the cover 16 is formed of two substantially planar parts 16a, 16b that slide over each other. It will be appreciated that embodiments having more than two parts may similarly be used. Also, covers made of parts that expand by means other than sliding over each other, such as by folding for example, will also be possible.

In the illustrated embodiments, the cover 16 is formed of two rigid parts 16a, 16b having substantially planar portions that slide over each other. The rigid parts 16a, 16b are formed of sheet aluminium, which are preferably 2mm thick, though it will be appreciated that other commercially available materials may also be used, particularly plastic materials and ones that are semi rigid or flexible. The cover 16 is configured to be laterally expandable so that the two parts 16a,

16b slide outwardly towards the sides of the assembly 10. The cover 16 is configured in this way so as to mimic the shape of the opening it is to be used for, and also so that support members can be spaced apart to provide stability of operation during expansion. It will be appreciated that the cover 16 may also be vertically expandable.

So that the cover parts 16a, 16b can slide over each other so as to be laterally expandable, one of the parts is formed with a pin 22 extending therefrom and the other part formed with a slot 24 formed therein, as can be seen in Figures 3 to 5. In some forms, pin 22 can be a threaded bolt (captive) with an externally adjustable nut. In use, the pin 22 is slidably received in the slot 24 to allow guided movement of the parts 16a, 16b relative to each other.

The cover parts 16a, 16b may be formed with transparent portions 20 to allow light into the building and to allow a user to see through the cover 16. The transparent portions 20 are preferably formed of 3mm polycarbonate and disposed within a central part of the cover parts 16a, 16b to allow an installer to view the mounting and confirm that the cover assembly 10 is secured to the building.

As can be seen in Figure 8, the surround 18 has viewing windows 26 and/or openable vents 28 formed therein. The viewing windows can allow further inspection of external portions of the window frame 12 and allow light into the room. Vents 28 are provided to allow ventilation of solvents such as those from glues and/or paints used in the window renewal process. Along an edge of the surround 18 is a resilient seal 30, which is preferably formed of rubber. The seal 30 acts as a weather seal and can create friction against the building to assist in keeping the cover assembly 10 in place as the seal 30 is compressed. The seal 30 can also prevent impact and abrasion damage to the building as the cover assembly 10 is installed.

As can be seen in Figures 5, 6 and 8, the cover assembly 10 has support members 30a, 30b coupled to a side of the cover 18 which faces inward in use. The support members 30a, 30b are telescopic to enable expansion of the cover 16 from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration. In addition to allowing expansion and contraction, the support member 30a is engagable for lifting and manipulating the cover assembly 10, as can be seen in Figures 11 to 17. In the illustrated embodiments, the support members 30a, 30b have a generally square profile, though may take other forms, such as rectangular or one having a generally circular profile for example. A locking pin 31 is provided in at least one of the support members 30a, 30b to lock the cover assembly 10 in the contracted condition. Further holes (not shown) may be provided to secure the cover assembly 10 in the expanded condition.

In use, an uppermost support member 30a is used to lift the cover assembly 10. The location of the uppermost support member 30a is selected having regard to the centre of gravity of the cover assembly 10 so that when lifted, the cover assembly 10 will maintain a generally upright condition yet can be easily swung to allow the cover assembly to be passed through the aperture 14 during installation, as illustrated in Figures 11 to 17.

The cover assembly 10 also has securing members 32 extending therefrom. The securing members 32 are configured to extend internally of the building from the cover assembly 10 to be fixed to at least one anchor secured internally of the building. In the illustrated embodiments, the securing members 32 are threaded rods that are slidably mounted on the support members 30a, 30b, and configured for securing to the anchor upon receipt of a threaded fastener over an end of the threaded rod. It will be appreciated that the securing members 32 may take other forms. For example, securing members 32 may be configured to accepted locking pins, clamps or quick connect or rotation locking fasteners for example.

So as to be slidably mounted, the securing members 32 are formed with a saddle clip 34 (see Figure 8) at their base. The saddle clip 34 is formed from sheet material which is bent to a shape corresponding to that of the support members 30a, 30b, which in the illustrated embodiment is generally square, so that the saddle clip 34 can pass over the support members 30a, 30b during adjustment of the cover assembly 10 and installation. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a lifter 40 for use with the cover assembly 10. It will be appreciated that the above described cover assembly 10 and the lifter 40 together form an external window cover system.

The lifter 40 is configured for engaging an upper portion of the cover assembly 10 and to lift and swing the cover assembly 10 about a lateral axis so that the cover can be tilted for passing through the aperture 14 and supported while fixing to the building.

The lifter 40 has elongate arms 42 extending therefrom for engaging the cover assembly and for extending through the aperture 14 while passing the cover assembly 10 through the aperture 14. Arms 42 are preferably telescopic for use with differently sized windows and also to facilitate transportation. Arms 42 may be generally parallel or extend outwardly away from the lifter. At a distal end of the arms 42 are supports 44, which are configured for receipt of upper support member 30a. Although shown as being generally U-shaped, the supports 44 may take other shapes. Also, a securement means may be provided with the supports 44 to prevent disengagement of the cover assembly 10 once engaged. The securement means may take the form of a locking pin extending through an upper portion of the supports for example.

Lifter 40 is provided with wheels and configured to be movable so as to be brought into engagement with a cover assembly, as shown in Figure 11. Arms 42 are then liftable by operating winch 46 to raise an upper portion 41 of the lifter 40, as shown in Figure 10. Once the upper portion 41 is lifted and supporting the cover assembly 10, the cover assembly 10 is free to tilt, as shown in Figure 12. To maintain stability of the lifter 40, it is provided with a removable counterweight 48. To facilitate manoeuvring of the lifter 40 once the cover assembly 10 is engaged, handles 50 are provided, as shown in Figure 10.

To control the tilting of the cover assembly once engaged, a tether 52 is provided. The tether 52 is securable between the lifter and a lower portion of the cover to facilitate swinging of the cover assembly 10. The tether 52 may also be connected to a winch 47 to facilitate operation. It will be appreciated that either of the described winches 46, 47 of lifter 40 may be electrically operated.

Lifter 40 also includes a lateral arm 43 fixed thereto and extending across the lifter 40. The arm 43 has telescopic ends 43a to allow for transportation. In use, arm 43 is extended to be wider than the window aperture 14, to prevent the lifter 40 passing through the aperture 14 in the event of an accident.

In use, the lifter 40 is operated to lift the cover assembly 10 and advance it toward the window frame 12. At this time the cover assembly 10 is in a retracted position so as to easily pass through the window aperture 14.

As illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, the cover assembly 10 is then manoeuvred so that an uppermost leading edge is positioned within the window aperture 14. As illustrated in Figure 15, the tether 52 is operated to further tilt the cover assembly 10 and the cover assembly 10 lifted to advance it further through the window aperture. Lifting and advancing the lifter 14 may be done either together or individually.

In the event of winches 46, 47 being electric, a control, either remote or mounted on the lifter 40, may be provided to control the lifting and tilting of the cover assembly 10.

Once the cover assembly 10 has passed through the window aperture 14, as shown in Figure 16, the tether 52 is released and the cover assembly 10 returned to a near vertical position. At this time, the cover assembly 10 can be moved to the expanded condition by moving each cover part 16a, 16b outwardly. Locking pins 31 may then be used, if desired, to lock the cover assembly 10 in the expanded condition.

Once the cover assembly 10 is in an expanded condition, the lifter 40 is then retracted to bring the cover assembly 10 into contact with an external surface of the building, as shown in Figures 17 and 18. In particular, rubber seal 30 is brought into engagement with the external building surface. Rubber seal 30 not only acts to prevent unwanted intrusion of the elements or debris falling through the aperture 14, but creates friction against the building to also act to keep the cover assembly 10 in place.

The cover assembly 10 can then be secured to the building. In this regard, securing members 32 are brought into engagement with a pair of anchors internal of the building. As illustrated in Figure 17, each anchor is a bar 54 extending across the aperture and configured to bear against an internal side of the window frame or wall of the building. Each anchor may take other forms and be provided with resilient contact portions to prevent damage to the internal wall. Furthermore, the anchors could be horizontal (as shown) or vertical.

In use, a lowermost anchor 54 may be installed first, then the lifter 40 lowered to disengage from the cover assembly 10 and retracted, so that an uppermost anchor 54 may be installed. It will be appreciated that removal of the cover assembly 10 from the building is the reverse process of the installation process described above.

Figures 20 and 21 illustrate an adaptor 58 to allow the cover assembly 10 to be used with arched windows. Adaptor 58 includes vertical arms 60 that are received in corresponding sleeves 61 formed in or fixed to each of the planar parts 16a, 16b. Each vertical arm is independently operable to allow for use with differently configured windows and securable via a locking pin extending through the arm 60 and into the sleeve 61 of the cover assembly 10. A cover member 62 is provided to close the space between the arms 60. It will be appreciated that the cover member 62 may take various shapes corresponding to the configuration of the window in question. A support bracket 63 may be fixed to the cover assembly 10 to further securing the cover member 62.

As illustrated in Figures 22 and 23, horizontal adjustment members 64a, 64b may be provided to space an upper end of the cover assembly from the building. This allows the cover assembly 10 to be used with differently configured windows or window frames.

Horizontal adjustment member 64b illustrates a simple form, whereby the member 64b is a rigid member used to space the cover assembly 10 form the building. In another form, horizontal adjustment member 64a included a threaded fastener that can be operated to vary the spacing between the cover assembly 10 and the building as required.

With either member 64a, 64b, an infill panel 65 may be provided to close a space between the cover assembly 10 and the building. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.