EP0034593B1

EP0034593B1 - Cross bar window constructions

Info

Publication number: EP0034593B1
Application number: EP80901497A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karsten Lian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-08-16
Filing date: 1981-03-09
Publication date: 1984-05-16
Also published as: DE3067844D1; NO146548C; NO146548B; EP0034593A1; NO792682L; WO1981000589A1

Abstract

Cross bar type constructions, particularly cross bar type windows. The inner edges of the window frame (1) and the cross bars (2, 3) are shaped as V-type profiles and the ends of the cross bars (2, 3) are shaped as oppositely corresponding V-type profiles. All cross bars (2, 3), each one manufactured from one solid piece of material, are installed inside the finished prefabricated window frame (1), by rotating the cross bars (2, 3) in the plane of the window panes (4) in such a manner that the oppositely corresponding V-type profiles will be locked together. After the window panes (4) are placed in their respective rabbet (6) frames, the panes (4) are sealed around the edges, for example by using a semiliquid elastic hardening compound (5). At the inner edge of the rabbet (6) for the panes (4), a somewhat deeper groove is formed, which after the sealing compound (5) is applied, will assist in locking the window panes (4) in all directions and consequently at the same time lock the entire window construction in the final shape.

Description

The present invention relates to a crossbar window construction including two or more window panes with single or multiple glazing or other sheet members.
The general objective is to simplify the production process in order to make it more efficient and to increase the quality and the strength of the construction.
Wooden cross bar type windows of a fixed or openable construction are known to have been used in very old buildings. Because of the difficulty of producing large window panes (glass), the window constructions are usually divided into many small openings. Traditions and aesthetical motives, are the reasons for the continued use of cross bar windows up through the years and the present common use in many countries. It is interesting to find that the general technical construction known in our time, is the same as used in the very old building.
The existing cross bar windows consist of a window frame which combined with vertical, horizontal or diagonal cross bars, forms the relative small openings where the window panes are installed by the use of wire nails and putty on the outside around the edges.
The existing construction methods require the joints between cross bars and between cross bars and parts of the window frame, to be manufactured and fitted with a high degree of precision. This is achieved by performing a number of time consuming production operations. Firstly for each joint, a groove has to be milled crosswise and half way through each cross bar. Secondly each one of the bevelled surfaces of the profile, has to be cut to form a picture frame type inside corner. The same bevelled parts must also be cut to proper angles at the joint between cross bars and the rails of the window frame. It is further required to shape a tenon in each end of the cross bars and to mortise a corresponding hole in the rails of the window frame. Completing the assembly and installing all the parts, is time consuming and not an efficient production oriented operation. When all the parts are assembled, all joints in the entire construction must be glued together in one single operation.
The main disadvantages related to the existing cross bar type constructions, are the many time consuming production processes and an assembly operation not suited for high volume line production. The structural strength is reduced in each joint where the cross bars are cut half way through. In addition, the presently used putty will in time dry out and fall out due to the current form of the rabbet.
Documents US-A-2 365 954 and FR-A-1 548 686, are relevant to attempts to improve the old designs.
The present invention as claimed solves the problems by introducing a new type of construction which makes it possible to utilize a new and more efficient production system. This will reduce the number of production processes, simplify assembly, increase strength and introduce a sealing method which will function almost indefinitely.
This is achieved by forming the inside edges of the window outer frame members and the cross bars as an outwardly V-shaped cross-section, while the ends of the cross bars are formed as a corresponding inwardly V-shaped cross-section. The window frame may be assembled and finally glued before installation of the cross bars, by placing the inwardly bevelled ends of the cross bars against the outwardly bevelled inner edges of the window outer frame members and cross bars, and rotating the cross bars into the desired position. Next, the window panes are placed in the rabbet for each panel and then sealed from the outside around the edges, using an elastic hardening sealant compound causing the entire window construction to be locked permanently in the final position.
The production processes which are eliminated, are milling cross grooves in the cross bars, shaping the ends of the bevelled surfaces at each joint and mortising holes in the inner edges of the window outer frame members. Furthermore the structural strength is improved because one of the cross bars at each joint, is solid without a reduced cross section due to milling operations.
Further disclosure of this invention is contained in the claim together with the drawings and the description.
Fig. 1 shows an example of a cross bar type window where. the construction is carried out in accordance with the present invention. The invention gives the opportunity to vary the numbers of vertical- and horizontal cross bars 2, 3. The cross bars 2, 3 may also be installed in diagonal position relative to the rails of the window frame 1.
In Fig. 1 cross bar 2 extends vertically between the upper and lower rail of the window frame 1. Four horizontal cross bars 3 which are identical, connect the vertical cross bars 2 with the vertical rails of the frame 1. This version contains six glass openings.
Fig. 2 shows a typical cross bar cross joint and how the cross bars 2, 3 are connected to the rails of frame 1.
The cross bars are shaped with an outwardly V-shaped cross section on each of the inner edges facing towards the six glass openings. The inner edges of the members of the frame 1 also facing towards the glass openings, are likewise shaped with the same cross section over an area corresponding to the thickness of the cross bars 2, 3.
In the central portion of the mentioned cross section, there is shaped a groove or rabbet 6 for installation of a window pane 4. The surface 6a of the rabbet acts as a mounting surface for the pane 4, while the other surface 6b is shaped to allow space for inserting the window pane 4. A groove 6c is formed in the side 6b close to the side 6a. The cross section is further shaped in such a manner than on each side of the rabbet 6, the surfaces are sloping and consequently the cross bar 2, 3 cross-section is a hexagon where the opposite inner edges are identical.
At the ends of the cross bars 2, 3 at 90° to the longitudinal direction and parallel with the plane of the window pane, a corresponding opposite cross section is produced.
This results in a mortise and tenon type joint in the cross between cross bars 2, 3 and the window frame 1. The tongue 7 fits into the above mentioned rabbet 6. The projecting ends 8a and 8b are shaped with the inward surfaces at the same angle as the opposite corresponding surfaces of the cross bars 2, 3 and frame 1.
Cross section A-A shows the described profiles and how they are joined together. The cross section B-B shows the same, but with the window panes 4 installed.
Fig. 2 and 3, and the description of these, makes it clear that the vertical cross bar 2 may be slid sidewise and that the horizontal cross bars 3 may be slid up or down along cross bar 2 and the side rails of the frame 1. The movements are possible in the plane of the window panes 4 and this is illustrated by the arrow a-a in Fig. 3. Due to the above described mortise and tenon type joints, the cross bars 2, 3 are locked sidewise and can not be moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the window panes 4. In Fig. 3, this direction is indicated by the arrow b-b.
Fig. 4 shows the succession in building up a cross bar type window according to the present invention.
Fig. 4A shows a window frame 1 already finally assembled and glued. The vertical cross bar 2 is placed in a slanted position relative to and inside the rails of the frame 1. The inwardly shaped cross section of the ends of the cross bar 2 is pushed against the corresponding opposite cross section inside edges of the rails of the frame 1. The elasticity of the materials and the construction itself, makes it possible to rotate the cross bar 2 into a position parallel to the vertical rails of frame 1. Afterwards the cross bar 2 may be moved sidewise (see Fig. 4b).
Fig. 4C shows that the horizontal cross bars 3 are placed in a slanted position between the cross bar 2 and the side rails of frame 1. The shaped ends of the cross bars 3 are pushed into the corresponding oppositely shaped inner edges of cross bar 2 and the side rails of the frame 1 and then rotated into horizontal position. The cross bars 3 are adjusted vertically until the desired glass openings are formed. The window panes 4 in desired thickness, width and height, are then positioned into the glass openings against the surface 6A in the rabbet.
Installed window panes 4 are shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. From the outside and in the area between the window panes 4 and the surfaces in the rabbet 6, elastic hardening sealing compound is applied which will attain the stable and desired hardness and structural strength. Silicone type sealant compounds may be used.
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 shows an important feature related to the present invention. The hardened structural sealant compound 5 has as an angled or substantially Z-type cross-section. In the corner of the rabbet 6 the groove 6c is deeper than the outer surface 6b. This detail together with the hardening elastic sealing compound 5, will interlock the panes 4 and the cross bars 2, 3 in their final and permanent positions within the frame 1.
After the sealant is hardened, the complete combined window construction is firmly fixed in its final shape and none of the cross bars 2, 3 can be moved.
Glueing or other means for fastening the cross bars 2, 3 is not required.

Claims

A crossbar window construction, including two or more window panes, where the inner edges of the window outer frame members and cross bars, facing the window panes, are formed with a substantially outwardly V-shaped cross-section and where the ends of the cross bars are formed with a corresponding inwardly V-shaped cross-section, and where the window outer frame may be separately assembled and permanently glued, characterized in that all the cross bars (2, 3) are each made from one solid piece of material, are installed within the window outer frame (1) by rotating the cross bars (2, 3) in such a manner that the inwardly V-shaped ends of the cross bars (2, 3) engage the corresponding outwardly V-shaped inner edges of the outer frame members or cross bars (2), and that these sides of the cross bars (2, 3) and the outer frame members, facing the panes, are formed with a central cut out angular rabbet (6) defined by a pane mounting side (6a) parallel to the surface of the panes (4), and substantially perpendicular to this side (6a) another side (6b) in which is formed a groove (6c) close to the first mentioned side (6a), and that the panes (4) are retained and sealed around the edges by an elastic hardening sealing compound (5) applied in the rabbet (6) area, forming an interlocking seal (5) bounded by the edge of the pane (4), the pane mounting side (6a), the groove (6c), the side (6b) and a free surface slanting from the outer part of the side (6b) to the outside surface of the pane (4), thereby firmly interlocking the panes (4), the cross bars (2, 3), the frame (1) of the combined window construction in its final and permanent position.