The present invention relates to a fastening element for fixing a cover moulding and a panel unit, e.g. an addi¬ tional glazing pane in an existing window structure, where the element includes a carrying or bearing surface for direct or indirect support of the additional pane, a holding or clamping surface for retaining the pane, as well as means for fixing the cover moulding.

In fitting installation glazing there is needed, in addi¬ tion to a sealing function for keeping moisture out, a retaining adhesive function for keeping the panes together. This latter function can be achieved without the use of such as glue, polysulphide elastomeric glazing compound or silicone, when a device according to the invention is used. However, the inventive device can still be used even if a diffusion sealing between panes is not required. The device can also be used to advantage with an existing window light or window frame when it is desired to supplement the existing structure with additional glazing to improve heat and/or sound insulation or give it other functional properties.

The intention with the invention is to provide fixing and edge covering for additional glazing in a rational manner, such as to provide the best technical properties with proper support pads and fixation of the pane, using a cover moulding narrow enough not to come into contact with the window furniture and which furthermore provides a pleasing concealment of space strip, fastening element and rebate filling strip or glazing bead. Essentially distinguishing for the invention are the characterizing features disclosed in the following claims.

s a result of the invention there is now achieved a fastening element of the kind mentioned in the intro-

duc ion, which fills its purpose excellently while at the same time it is simple and cheap to manufacture. Similar products on the market up to now have their structures fixed with silicone under the spacer strip used between the panes. This results in the creation of a troublesome height. In accordance with the invention a device is ob¬ tained where this height can be kept down and a very narrow cover moulding can be used. In addition, the fastening elements are very easy to put in place in the right position, since in most cases it is possible to use the fixed position of the inside or outside of the existing pane. The cover moulding is readily pressed into place and fastened at a predetermined distance from the pane by hook means formed on the fastening element. Because of the special configuration of both fastening element and cover moulding they may be used for most types of casement having varying rebates, i.e. a bearing surface for the pane support member is provided irrespective of the size of the rebate. Finally, the use of silicone or the like is not necessary to fix the pane support member and spacer strip laterally or in depth, which is taken here to mean the distance from the edge of the casement member to the existing pane.

The invention will now be described in more detail below, and with reference to the accompanying drawing, where

Fig. 1 is a cross-section of the bottom member of a casement provided with the fastening element in accordance with the invention, and

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the fastening element, full lines together with dashed lines indicating its appearance when implemented for use at a corner.

It will be seen from Fig. 1 that an inventive fastening element 5 is mounted on a rebate filling strip or glazing bead 2, in front of an existing pane 1 in a casement member

3 of a window. The element 5 is reletively thin, and has a flat part 4 of stiff material, the inner end 6 of which engages in the illustrated embodiment against the pane 1. The flat part 4 has a bottom surface 7 engaging against the glazing bead 2, and is fastened to the bead in a suitable way, e.g. by some kind of nails passing through holes 8 made in the element. The element 5 is joggled to form parts

4 and 12 and a transverse portion 10 at the outer end portion 9 of the part 4. The portion 10 has a retaining and clamping surface 11. The part 12 is comparatively short and preferably parallel to the part 4, and it is provided with hook means 13 for fixing a cover moulding 14. A spacer strip 17 is disposed on the upper bearing surface 15 and is provided on both surfaces respectively facing towards the existing pane 1 and an additional pane 18 with a diffusion sealing compound 16. Although the compound 16 provides a diffussion seal and the properties of an insulating glazing unit, it can be excluded if such properties are not re¬ quired. The edge of the pane 18 is carried by support members 19, which rest in turn on the bearing surface 15 of the part 4. For keeping both panes fixed in their spaced relationship with the aid of the support member 19, while at the same time providing support for these members and the pane 18 in the intended manner, a bearing surface is required, irrespective of the size of the rebate made in the casement member for the pane 1. In accordance with the invention the element 5 can cater for comparatively wide variations in the size of this rebate, as will be under¬ stood from Fig. 1, where the additional pane 18 is almost outside the glazing bead 2, and the length of the part 4 with its bearing surface 15 extends past the bead 2 to suit this configuration.

The width of the element 5 is optional, and such elements are placed at a suitable pitch along the glazing bead 2. To provide space for the support members 19 carrying the pane 18 the length of the part 4 of the element 5 may be greater than the distance between the outsides of the panes 1 and 18. Good positional fixation of the element 5 is obtained by having the short end edge 6 of the part 4 abutting the existing pane 1. In a fitted state, the retaining and clamping surface 11 on the transverse part 10 presses against the support members 19, thus causing these to press against the pane 18 and against the pane 1 also, via the spacer strip 17 which provides good coaction between the pane 18 and casement, ensuring that the light does not come out of square.

The corner moulding 14 has two lips 20,21, which cover as small an area as possible of the edge region of the pane 18- In the case where the glazing bead in the rebate extends past the transverse portion 10, the lip 21 can be torn off along a groove 22. The rise obtained by the joggle in the element 5 ensures proper sealing of the element, even when the glazing bead comes so far out that removal of the lip 21 is necessary. Since the cover moulding is made flexible in accordande with the invention, only a single type of moulding is required for a large range of casement configurations. The moulding 14 is readily pressed into place and fixed at a predetermined distance from the pane 18 with the aid of the hook means 13 on the part 12 of the element 5, this means engaging in a suitably formed groove 23 in the moulding 14.

In Fig. 2 the fastening element 5 is illustrated as it is intended for use as a corner member 24, this member essentially comprising two elements 5 united along one long edge of the parts 4. The member 24 reinforces the corners of the casement and results in a more stable, better structure, which is advantageous, e.g. when renovating a

window. The right support for the pane 18 is obtained with the aid of the bearing surface 15 with the two surfaces 15 of the corner member 24 providing extra stability. It is not necessary to use a support member 19 at every fastening element 5, such elements then being used solely to fix the cover moulding 14.

In an alternative embodiment, the hook engaging groove 23 of the moulding 14 may be deeper, thus affording an ad¬ justable distance to which the moulding 14 may be pressed over the part 12. In this case a plurality of ridges are formed on the side of the groove engaging the hook means 13 on the element 5, such that one of the ridges engages with the hook means 13 as the moulding 14 is pressed over the part 12 of the element 5.