Frame and panel assembly

Abstract

A frame and panel assembly comprises a frame ( 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 ) opposed inner extents of the frame ( 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 ) being recessed ( 16, 18 ) with the base portions ( 22 ) of opposed recesses ( 16, 18 ) being spaced apart a distance greater than the width of the panel ( 12 ), the free ends of the front portions ( 24 ) of opposed recesses ( 16, 18 ) being spaced apart by a distance less than the width of the panel ( 12 ), and a gasket ( 26, 28 ) within each recess ( 16, 18 ). One edge extent of a panel ( 12 ) can be located into the recess ( 18 ) against the resilience of the associated gasket ( 28 ), and the opposed edge extent of the panel ( 12 ) can then be manoeuvred into a second recess ( 16 ), the gaskets locating the panel ( 12 ) centrally within the frame to close the aperture and to urge the panel ( 12 ) towards the front portions ( 24 ) of the recesses ( 16, 18 ).

1 . A frame and panel assembly comprising a frame ( 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 10 ) defining an aperture therein, opposed inner extents of the frame ( 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 10 ) being recessed ( 16 , 18 ) to receive therein associated edge extents of a panel ( 12 ), characterised in that the recesses ( 16 , 18 ) are each of channel section with the base portions ( 22 ) of opposed recesses ( 16 , 18 ) being spaced apart a distance greater than the width of the panel. ( 12 ), the free ends of the front portions ( 24 ) of opposed recesses ( 16 , 18 ) being spaced apart by a distance less than the width of the panel ( 12 ), and a gasket ( 26 , 28 ) within each recess ( 16 , 18 ) lining the rear and base portions ( 20 , 22 ) of the associated recess ( 16 , 18 ) whereby one edge extent of a panel ( 12 ) can be located into the recess ( 18 ) in one inner extent of the frame against the resilience of the associated gasket ( 28 ), and the opposed edge extent of the panel ( 12 ) can then be manoeuvred into the recess ( 16 ) in the opposed inner extent of the frame, the gaskets ( 26 , 28 ) reacting between the panel ( 12 ) and the recesses ( 16 , 18 ) to locate the panel ( 12 ) centrally within the frame to close the aperture and to urge the panel ( 12 ) towards the front portions ( 24 ) of the recesses ( 16 , 18 ).  
   
   
       2 . An assembly as claimed in  claim 1  and further comprising, for each recess ( 16 , 18 ), a second gasket ( 30 ) reacting between the front portion ( 24 ) of the recess ( 16 , 18 ) and the panel ( 12 ) to seal the panel ( 12 ) in the aperture.  
   
   
       3 . A method of assembling a frame and panel assembly, the frame ( 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 10 ) defining an aperture therein to receive a panel ( 12 ), characterised by providing channel section recesses ( 16 , 18 ) in opposed inner extents of the frame ( 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 10 ) with the base portions ( 22 ) of opposed recesses ( 16 , 18 ) being spaced apart a distance greater than the width of the panel ( 12 ), and the free ends of the front portions ( 24 ) of the opposed recesses ( 16 , 18 ) being spaced apart by a distance less than the width of the panel ( 12 ), locating a gasket ( 26 , 28 ) in each recess ( 16 , 18 ) to line the rear and base portions ( 20 , 22 ) thereof, locating one edge extent of the panel ( 12 ) into the recess ( 18 ) in one inner extent of the frame ( 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 10 ) and compressing the associated gasket ( 28 ) therewith, manoeuvring the other edge extent of the panel ( 12 ) into the recess ( 16 ) in the opposed inner extent of the frame, and centralising the panel ( 12 ) within the frame ( 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 10 ).  
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3  and further including the step of locating a second gasket ( 30 ) to react between the front portion ( 24 ) of each recess ( 16 , 18 ) and the panel ( 12 ) thereby to seal the panel ( 12 ) in the aperture.