DK180969B1

DK180969B1 - Installation unit for facilitating the installation of a window frame, a sealing collar, and a method for installing a window frame in an opening in a roof structure

Info

Publication number: DK180969B1
Application number: DKPA201800257A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Schack Østergaard Leif
Original assignee: Vkr Holding As
Priority date: 2018-06-05
Filing date: 2018-06-05
Publication date: 2022-08-23
Also published as: DK201800257A1; EP3578728A1; EP3578728B1; PL3578728T3

Abstract

An installation unit for facilitating the installation of a window frame in a roof structure is disclosed. In comprises an installation sheet and at least one insulation member attached to an outer side of the installation sheet. The installation unit is adapted for being arranged in the opening in the roof structure, such that it lines the opening and such that at least one insulation member is in contact with the roof structure. The installation unit may comprise more then one insulation member and/or form part of a sealing collar. In use, the installation unit is arranged in the opening in the roof structure with its length direction parallel to the roof plane, and when placing a window frame in the opening, the window frame comes into engagement with the inner side of the installation sheet.

Description

DK 180969 B1 1 Technical field The present invention relates to an installation unit for facilitating the installation of a window frame in a roof structure.

The invention further relates to a sealing collar including an installation unit for use when installing a window frame in a roof structure.

Background art When installing a window in a roof of a building, an opening is made in the roof structure to make room for the window and allow natural light to reach the interior of the building.

The opening causes a reduction in the thermal insulation properties of the roof.

To overcome this problem, the installation of the window often includes installing additional insulation members surrounding the window frame, either in the form of separate members or of an insulating frame composed of a plurality of insulation members, an example being dis- closed in EP2466032A1. In order to achieve an optimal thermal insulation, the insulation members are arranged in tight connection with the window frame, typically by arranging them so that they extend into the opening prepared for the window in the roof structure.

The applicant's prior application EP2273028 describes an insulating frame composed of four insulation members for this use.

Unfortunately, having the insulation members extending into the opening complicates the installation process, making it more time consuming.

It is therefore still a problem to provide an installation unit, which facilitates the installation of a window frame in an opening in a roof structure with an insulation member extending into the opening.

Summary According to a first aspect, the invention relates to an installation Unit according to claim 1, which comprises an installation sheet and at least one insulation member, where the installation sheet has an inner side adapted for engagement with the window frame and an outer side opposite the inner side, where the inner side and outer side are meeting in an edge, where at least

DK 180969 B1 2 one insulation member is attached to the outer side of the installation sheet, extending in a length direction of the installation unit, and where the installation unit is adapted for being arranged in the opening in the roof structure with its length direction parallel to the roof plane, such that it lines the opening and such that at least one insulation member comes into contact with the roof struc- ture.

By the installation unit lining the opening is understood that the instal- lation sheet extends substantially orthogonally to the roof plane, extending into the roof structure.

When the window frame is placed in the opening lined with the instal- lation unit an outwards force towards the roof structure is applied to the inner side of the installation sheet and thus causes the insulation member to com- press. This will result in a pressure, which ensures a tight contact between the window frame and the installation sheet and between the insulation member and the roof structure. The installation sheet thereby obtains a good thermal connection with the window frame and the insulation member obtains a good thermal connection with the roof structure. In an embodiment the insulation member is made from an elastic insulating material, which will ensure an even better connection between the installation unit and the window frame.

The installation sheet, which is relatively smooth compared to typical insulating materials, facilitates the installation of the window frame by acting as a shoehorn, helping the window frame to slide into the opening in the roof struc- ture. It thus prevents an undesired deformation of the insulating material of the insulation member caused by friction between it and the window frame, and helps the window frame to slide down into the intended position in the opening in the roof structure.

Furthermore, the installation sheet evens out any variations in the pressure resulting from the compression of the insulation member(s), which may for example result from some sections of the insulation member being compressed more than others. This allows the insulation member to compen- sate for variations in the shape and dimensions of the opening without resulting in an uneven pressure and friction on the window frame, for example allowing

DK 180969 B1 3 the insulation member to be locally compressed by the ends of battens, which have been interrupted when making the opening in the roof structure, while being less compressed between the battens.

For this purpose, the installation sheet is of a relatively rigid material, such as for example plywood, but it is presently preferred to use a polymer such as for example polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyvinylchloride. Metals are presently less preferred due to their relatively high thermal conductivity.

The inner side of the installation sheet has a smooth texture with a static coefficient of friction less than 0.5, preferably less than 0.3, when abutting a window frames made wholly of wood. By a static coefficient of friction is un- derstood the coefficient of friction of two materials at rest, and by a smooth texture is understood that the roughness of the inner side is low. Consequently, when installing the window frame the friction between the window frame and the inner side is low, whereby the installation of the window frame is further facilitated.

For use with window frame made of polymers or metals, which typically have a lower coefficient of friction than wood, the requirement on the coefficient of friction of the installation sheet may be lower.

In some embodiments, the inner side of the installation sheet has a friction reducing coating. Consequently, a reduction in the coefficient of friction is obtained compared to an uncoated inner side, and the installation of a win- dow frame is facilitated.

The window frame will typically comprise top, bottom, and side frame members. The installation sheet may then be provided with dimensions at least in the length direction matching the corresponding dimension of the top, bot- tom, and/or side members of the window frame. Consequently, the installation sheet extends across the entire length or width of the window frame, which facilitates the installation. The installation sheet, the insulation member, or the entire installation unit may be slightly longer than the window frame member, which it is intended to engage in the mounted state, in order to allow installation units extending perpendicular to each other, for example along the top and a

DK 180969 B1 4 side of the window frame, to be able to meet and form an insulating frame ex- tending around the window frame. Shorter lengths are, however, also possible. Particularly it is envisaged that the installation sheet may extend only over a part of the length of the corresponding window frame member while the insula- tion member extends over the entire length.

The installation sheet may also match the height of the window frame member engaging that installation sheet, when the window frame is installed in the opening, and/or it may extend deeper into the roof structure in the mounted state than the window frame, for example in order to support insulation mem- ber(s) adapted to be located deep in the roof structure. In such cases the in- stallation sheet may help facilitate the installation of lining panels or the like to be mounted on the interior side after installation of the window frame.

The installation sheet may be provided as a large sheet, which is mod- ified on site to match the dimensions of the top, bottom, and/or side members of the window frame. Likewise, a combined sheet and insulation material may be provided, possibly in a rolled-up state, and cut to appropriate length on site for use as installation units.

When installing the window frame in an incline roof structure, the need for compensating for variations in the shape and dimensions of the opening in the roof structure is typically most prominent along the sides of the window frame extending in the direction of inclination of the roof structure. It may there- fore be advantageous to use installation units only along these two sides. In- stallation units may, however, be used along all sides of the window frame and it is even possible to use one single installation unit, which extends along all four sides of the window frame. This may for example be achieved by a first edge of the installation sheet extending perpendicular to length direction of the installation unit being attached to a second edge of the installation sheet, so that continuous inner and outer sides are formed. By a continuous inner and outer side is understood that a trace along the inner side or the outer side par- allel to an unattached edge arrives at the origin of the trace. The first edge may be attached to the second edge using glue, adhesive staples, snap-lock, hook and loop, or welds.

DK 180969 B1 In some embodiments, the installation unit comprises two or more in- sulation members that are attached to the outer side of the installation sheet, one insulation member being arranged above another in a height direction of the installation unit extending perpendicular to length direction of the installa- 5 tion unit. In other words, the height direction is perpendicular to the roof plane in the mounted state, and the one insulation member is located closer to the exterior side of the roof structure than the other(s). In this way the two or more insulation members may come into contact with different parts of the roof struc- ture, one insulation member for example being adapted for engagement with ends of battens and another for engagement with a rafter.

The two or more insulation members may compress and/or deform independently, and thereby adapt more precisely to the shape and dimension of the opening in the roof structure and of the window frame than what is pos- sible with a single insulation member.

By each insulation member coming into contact with the roof structure is understood that the roof structure must touch some surface of each insulation member.

In some embodiments, the two or more insulation members are differ- ent types of insulation members. The thermal insulation can be improved as the different insulation members can be arranged in a pattern optimizing the thermal insulation according to the shape and thermal properties of the window frame and the roof structure with which the installation unit is intended to be used. Different types of insulation members may mean different in both shape and material.

A type of insulation member is a soft insulating foam, which is slotted in at least one direction. The insulation member may be slotted in two direc- tions. The insulation member may be slotted in two directions which are orthog- onal. The slotting may be in a direction perpendicular with the length axis of the insulation member. The insulation member may be a rectangular cuboid.

A type of insulation member is a wedge shaped insulation member.

A type of insulation member is a tube shaped insulation member. More than one tube shaped insulation member may be combined into a combined

DK 180969 B1 6 tube shaped insulation member having a cross-sectional shape resembling the number 8 or the letter B.

An insulation member or a part thereof may be removed from the in- stallation unit during installation, so that the remaining insulation members may obtain a more optimal fit with the window frame and roof structure.

Regardless of the number and type of insulation members, the insula- tion member(s) may be attached to the installation sheet using glue, adhesive, staples, snap-lock, hook and loop, or welds.

In a second a second aspect, the invention relates to a sealing collar for use when installing a window frame in a roof structure, comprising an inner portion having top, bottom, and side members, where said inner portion has an inner edge and an outer edge opposite the inner edge, where said inner edge defines a collar opening when the sealing collar is in the mounted condition, and where said inner portion is adapted for surrounding a window frame by the inner edge, where the top, bottom and side members of the inner portion are made from a substantially dimensionally stable material, wherein shape and size of the collar opening substantially matches shape and size of the window frame, when the sealing collar is in the mounted condition, and where an in- stallation unit according to the first aspect of the invention is connected to the inner portion via an installation unit holder.

By having a sealing collar with the installation unit connected to the inner portion a convenient and controlled handling of the installation unit is ob- tained. Furthermore, optimal positioning of the installation unit may be facili- tated by its attachment to the sealing collar.

By substantially stable material is understood a material, which re- gains its intended dimensions after folding or creasing. The sealing collar may be folded during transportation or installation, possibly folded around the instal- lation units or parts thereof to protect them during transportation and handling.

The installation unit holder may be made from plastic, a waterproof membrane, roofing felt, strings, straps, or like flexible, but preferably substan- tially un-elastic material. If using a waterproof membrane or other wind-proof material extending over substantially the entire length of the installation unit,

DK 180969 B1 7 the installation unit holder may contribute to wind-proofing the transition be- tween the roof window frame and the roof structure.

In some embodiments, the installation unit holder has predefined di- mensions, which allows for the installation unit to be moved between a delivery position, where the installation unit is located on an exterior side of the inner portion, and an installed position, where the installation unit is located inside the opening defined by the inner edge of the inner portion.

Consequently, the installation unit can be in the delivery position while the sealing collar is being arranged on the roof structure so that collar opening is aligned with the opening in the roof structure and work is performed in the opening, which reduces the risk of damaging the installation unit and secures correct positioning of the installation unit. When the roof structure is ready for receiving the installation unit it can be moved into the opening defined by the inner edge of the inner portion and inserted into the opening in the roof struc- ture.

The predefined dimensions entails that the installation unit can be po- sitioned in a predefined depth in relation to the plane of the roof structure thereby ensuring that the installation unit is not pushed too deep into the roof structure, neither when being brought into the installed position nor by being pushed down during the installation of the roof window frame.

The invention may relate to a method for installing a window frame in an opening in a roof structure defining a roof plane using an installation unit for facilitating the installation, comprising an installation sheet and at least one in- sulation member, where the installation sheet has an inner side and an outer side opposite the inner side, where the inner side and outer side are meeting in an edge, and where at least one insulation member is attached to the outer side of the installation sheet, extending in a length direction of the installation unit, where the method comprises the steps of: arranging the installation unit in the opening in the roof structure with its length direction parallel to the roof plane, such that it lines the opening and such that at least one insulation member comes into contact with the roof struc- ture,

DK 180969 B1 8 placing a window frame in the opening, which is lined with the installa- tion unit, such that the window frame comes into engagement with the inner side of the installation sheet.

Preferably, the insulation member is compressed when placing the window frame in the opening.

During installation, the installation unit may be attached to the roof structure, for example to battens and/or rafters, while allowing for movement of at least a part of the installation sheet and the insulation member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the installation sheet.

The installation unit may be attached to the roof structure using screws, nails, glue, staples, or welds. Alternatively, or as a supplement, it may be attached to a sealing collar as described above.

The invention is particularly useful when mounting a window in a roof structure including rafters and battens. The sealing collar, if any, will then typi- cally be arranged to rest on the exterior side of the battens.

Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1a-1b shows a cross-sectional view of a roof structure, an instal- lation unit with one insulation member, and a window frame.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a roof structure, an installation unit with a plurality of insulation members, and a window frame.

Fig. 3 shows a window frame and four installation unit in an opening in a roof structure seen from the exterior side.

Fig. 4 shows a top view of a sealing collar with an installation unit.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a roof structure, a sealing collar with an installation unit, and a window frame.

Detailed description of the embodiments Fig. 1 shows a roof structure 2, here represented by a roof rafter 20, a counter-batten 21, and a roof batten 22 adapted for supporting a roofing (not shown).

An installation unit 1 comprises an installation sheet 11 and an insula-

DK 180969 B1 9 tion member 23. The installation sheet has an inner side 13 adapted for en- gagement with a window frame 25 and an outer side 15 opposite the inner side 13, where the inner side 13 and outer side 15 are meeting in an edge 17. An insulation member 23 is attached to the outer side 15 of the installation sheet

11. The installation unit 1 is arranged in an opening in the roof structure 2, such that it lines the opening and such that the insulation member 23 is in contact with the roof structure 2, here with the side of the counter-batten 21 and the end surface of the batten 22.

Fig. 1a shows the window frame 25 being inserted into the opening defined by the installation sheet unit 1 and hence into the opening in the roof structure 2. The window frame 25 is beginning to come into engagement with the inner side 13 of the installation sheet 11, but the insulation member 23 is not yet fully compressed. In this embodiment an upper or exterior section 18 of the installation sheet 11 is bent slightly outwards over the roof structure in order to help the window frame get into the opening by acting as a funnel. The bent section 18 may be cut off or bent further down to be plane with the roof plane when the installation of the window frame is complete.

Fig. 1b shows the window frame 25 fully inserted into the opening in the roof 2. The window frame 25 is in engagement with the inner side 13 of the installation sheet 11 and the insulation member 23 is fully compressed.

The window frame is here resting on a ledge 19 on the installation sheet 11, which extends further into the roof structure than the insulation mem- ber 23. The space thus formed between the installation sheet 11 and the roof structure, here the rafter 20 and the counter-batten 21, may be filled with an insulation material (not shown) from the interior side.

Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of an installation unit 1 comprising an installation sheet 11 arranged in the opening of a roof structure 2 having roof rafters 20, a counter-batten 21, and a roof batten 22. In this figure as well as in the following the same reference numbers as in Fig 1a and 1b are used for features having substantially the same function even though they may not be identical.

In the embodiment in Fig. 2 a plurality of insulation members 23, 27,

DK 180969 B1 10 29 are attached to the outer side 15 of the installation sheet 11. The first insu- lation member 23 has a rectangular cuboid shape as in Figs 1a and 1b and is adapted for engaging the ends of the battens 22 as well as possibly the coun- ter-batten 21. For this purpose, the insulation material may be slotted in a di- rection substantially parallel to the length direction of the batten.

The second insulation member 27 is a wedge shaped insulation member, which is adapted to be located underneath a flashing member (not shown) weather-proofing the joint between the window frame and the roof structure.

It is typically of a mate- rial with better weather-resistant properties than the first insulation member.

The third insulation member 29 is a combined tube shaped insulation member having a cross-sectional shape resembling the letter B.

The tubes make the insulation member 29 highly deformable and hence allow it to accommodate big variations in the distance between the installation sheet 11 and the roof structure, thus making the installation unit 1 highly versatile.

As the third insu- lation member is arranged at the interior side it does not need weather re- sistance.

Fig. 3 shows a roof structure 2 represented by rafters 20 and battens 22 and with an opening 26. Four installation units 1 are arranged one along each side of the opening in the roof structure, so that they form an insulating frame extending all around a window frame 25 arranged in the opening 26. Each installation unit 1 includes an installation sheet 11, the inner side 13 of which is in engagement with window frame 25, and four insulation mem- bers 23 attached to the outer side 15 of the installation sheet 11. These instal- lation units are made by standard units of installation sheet material and insu- lation material, which are cut to size on site only to the extend necessary, i.e. not fitting exactly with the length of the respective window frame members along which they extend in the mounted state.

Fig. 4 shows a sealing collar 3 for use around a window frame in a roof structure, comprising an inner portion 31 having top 32, bottom 33 and side 34, members.

The inner portion 31 has an inner edge 36 and an outer edge 37 opposite the inner edge 36, where said inner edge 36 defines a collar opening 30 adapted for surrounding a window frame, the shape and size of the collar

DK 180969 B1 11 opening 30 substantially matching shape and size of the window frame, when the sealing collar 3 is in the mounted condition. The top 32, bottom 33 and side 34, 35 members of the inner portion 31 are made from a substantially dimen- sionally stable material to ensure a dimensionally stable opening.

Four installation units 1 each including an installation sheet 11 and an insulation member 23 attached to an outer side 15 thereof are connected to the inner portion 31 via installation unit holders 38. In this embodiment each instal- lation unit is connected to the sealing collar via two installation unit holders, but it is also possible to use more holders on each installation unit or to use one wider installation unit holder, possibly extending over substantially the entire length of the installation unit. The installation unit holders 38 are here made of straps of a textile material having such a length that when they are fully ex- tended as shown in Fig. 4 the installation unit is located in the correct intended depth in relation to the roof structure (not shown in Fig. 4). In the state of deliv- ery (not shown), the installation units are preferably arranged on the exterior side of the sealing collar. The installation unit holders may be used as “hinges” when “swinging” the installation units from a position on the exterior side of the sealing collar to the position in Fig. 4.

The details regarding the installation unit holders described above ap- ply to all embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of a sealing collar 3 in a cross-sec- tional view mounted at an opening in a roof structure 2 having a rafter 20, a counter-batten 21, and a batten 22. The installation unit 1 is attached to the inner edge 36 of the sealing collar 3 by the outer side 15 of the installation sheet 11, i.e. with a hinge-like joint instead of the strap-like installation unit holders in Fig. 4. This may be achieved by joining two different members or pieces of material, or the sealing collar and the installation sheet could be formed in one with a weakening serving as a hinge between them serving as an installation unit holder.

In this embodiment the sealing collar extends over the edge of the opening in the roofs structure so that the insulation members 23, 29 are located underneath the sealing collar when seen from the exterior side in a direction

DK 180969 B1 12 perpendicular to the roof plane.

If wishing to have insulation underneath the flashing (not shown) as in Fig. 2, separate insulation members or an insulation frame may be arranged on top of the sealing collar.

Here too the installation sheet 11 has a ledge projecting underneath the interior side of the window frame 25, but this need not be the case.

Like- wise, the installation sheet does not need to extend all the way down along the interior insulation member 29. It could instead be L-shaped with the interior insulation member 29 attached to the horizontal leg of the L.

Claims

DK 180969 B1 13 PATENT CLAIM

1. Installation unit (1) designed to facilitate the installation of a window frame (25) in an opening in a roof construction (2) that defines a roof plane, which installation unit comprises an installation plate (11) and at least one insulation element (23, 27 , 29), where the installation plate (11) has an inner side (13) arranged for engagement with the window frame (25) and an outer side (15) opposite the inner side, where the inner side and the outer side meet in an edge (17), where at least one insulating element ( 23, 27, 29) is attached to the outside (15) of the installation plate (11), extending | a longitudinal direction of the installation unit (1), and where the installation unit (1) is arranged to be placed in the opening in the roof construction (2) with its longitudinal direction parallel to the roof plane, so that it covers the opening and so that at least one insulation element (23, 29) is in contact with the roof structure, characterized by the fact that the installation plate (11) is made of a relatively stiff material for even out variations in pressure on the window frame (25), and that the inside (13) of the installation plate (11) has a smooth texture with a static coefficient of friction of less than 0.5 when abutting a window sill (25) made entirely of wood.

2. Installation unit (1) according to claim 1, where the inside (13) of the installation plate (11) has a friction-reducing coating.

3. Installation unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, where two or more insulating elements (23, 27, 29) are attached to the outside (15) of the installation plate (11), and where an insulating element is placed above another in a height direction of > the installation unit, extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the installation unit.

4. Installation unit (1) according to claim 3, where the two or more insulating elements (23, 27, 29) are different types of insulating elements.

5. Installation unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the installation plate (11) mainly arranged for engagement with the window frame (25) matches the length of the window frame (25).

6. Installation unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first edge of the installation plate (11) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the installation unit is attached to a second edge of the installation plate so that continuous inside and outside pages (13, 15).

7. Installation unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the installation plate (11) is made of a polymer, such as for example polypropylene, polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride.

8. Sealing collar (3) for use when installing a window frame (25) in a roof con-

DK 180969 B1 14 structure (2) and comprising an inner part (31) which has top (32), bottom (33) and side elements (34, 35), where said inner part has an inner edge ( 36) and an outer edge (37) opposite the inner edge, where said inner edge defines a collar opening (30) when the sealing collar is in the mounted state, where said inner part (31) is arranged to surround a window frame (25) at the inner edge (36), where the top, bottom and side elements (32-35) of the inner part are made of an essentially dimensionally stable material, where the shape and size of the collar opening (30) essentially match shape and size of the window frame (25) when the sealing collar (3) is in the mounted state and where an installation unit (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7 is connected to the inner part (31) via an installation unit holder (38).

9. Sealing collar (3) according to claim 8, wherein the installation unit holder (38) has predefined dimensions which allow the installation unit (1) to be moved between a delivery position, where the installation unit (1) is located on an outer side of the inner part ( 31), and an installed position where the installation unit (1) is located within the opening (30) defined by the inner edge (36) of the inner part.