EP0109471A1 - Composite frame structure for glazed opening in buildings, particularly windows - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A composite frame structure for glazed openings in buildings, in particular windows, comprising a supporting metal section (11, 14) forming a frame for the glazing (15), and a rigid thermally insulating lining (16) fixed at a distance on the metal section with the aid of a plurality of detachable I-shaped connecting elements (1) whose end sides (4, 5) engage T-shaped recesses (32, 33) formed opposite on the metal section and on the lining (16) and constitute clamping shoes by pivoting about the axial core (3) of the connecting element (1) connecting the two end sides (4, 5), and comprising a projection (2) that serves as a spacing block for maintaining the lining (16) at a distance from the supporting metal section, characterized in that the projection (2) has lateral surfaces (21, 22) that project beyond the limits of the volume defined between the end sides (4, 5), in that said end sides have on their lateral inside semisurfaces (7, 7', 8, 8') facing the projection (2) an obliquity such that the space (9, 10) defined between the projection (2) and an end side (4, 5) is reduced running across it in the direction opposite that of clamping, and in that the rigid thermally insulating lining (16) constitutes a cover strip with its edge portion (18) adjacent to the glazing (15).

Description

The present invention relates to the coating of the metal frames constituting building bays, in particular windows, with a rigid heat-insulating lining, made of wood or the like.

It is known, in order to save heating and improve the comfort of premises equipped with modern metal frame bays, to reduce heat losses by making this frame insulating.

Two techniques are currently used to achieve this.

The first, relatively expensive, and generally not very easy to implement, consists in eliminating the thermal bridges inside the framework itself.

To this end, it is designed in two metal sections arranged opposite one another at a short distance and having on their opposite faces, undercut receiving means, generally a groove in "T", for taking successive connecting elements at regular intervals.

The connecting elements are members adapted to the configuration of the grooves intended to receive them by their ends and having for this purpose a general "I" shape.

The connecting element thus defines an axial core connecting in their middle two wings parallel to each other and perpendicular to said core.

These wings, having a rectangular conformation of width equal to that of the opening of the groove and of length close to the width of the receptor cavity, kill, after introduction into the groove, clamping pads by pivoting of the element d '' a quarter turn around its axis.

The core has in its middle, a prominence acting as a spacer for maintaining the distance of the profiles to be joined and whose two flat side faces, prependicular to the axis, constitute bearing surfaces against which come strongly apply the lips of the grooves under the tightening effect of the pads. This central prominence also serves as a grip by its front surface to a tightening tool allowing the rotation of the element around its axis.

The clamping effect of the pads during rotation is ensured differently according to the various solutions proposed, but which always tend, in one way or another, to offer the lips with grooves, a housing between a pad and the central prominence of width slightly less than the thickness of these lips.

As an indication, French patent applications Nos. 2289837 and 2149360 provide two examples of distinct solutions.

In fact, solutions of this type appear specifically adapted to the needs for which they were designed, namely a remote connection between metal profiles.

In return, they have a real inability to allow, under satisfactory conditions of assembly, straightness or resistance over time, a similar connection between the same profile and a rigid external thermal insulation lining, in particular in wood, for which the machining dimensions are necessarily large and for which, unlike metal, good mechanical strength and stability over time of the assembly require a large contact surface combined with a substantial thickness of material, in particular due to the fact that this lining is fixed overhang on the metal frame which serves as a support.

Specifically, the second known technique, to which the invention relates: succeeds in eliminating direct contact between the atmosphere of the room and the metal framework by using the latter as a support for a rigid insulating lining, by- example a coating in wood or plastic, which is fixed on the wall of metal facing the room.

In its current state of implementation, this solution is not without presenting serious drawbacks.

Indeed, to meet the constraints mentioned above (large contact surface, cantilever effect), the fixing of the lining on the support frame is generally carried out by gluing.

This results in a rigid composite structure which, due to the phenomena of differential expansion, is subject repetitive internal mechanical stresses, often responsible for premature deterioration and aging of the assembly.

There is, however, known in this field a technique inspired by the solutions for the inter-profile connection seen before.

This technique, described for example in French patent application No. 2317461, aims precisely to overcome the phenomena of differential expansion by a remote fixing of the wooden lining.

This fixing is provided by two-part fixing means, a single "T" part, engaged in a corresponding groove in the metal support profile and held, at the other end, in a second part formed by a metal eyelet fixed by screwed into the wood lining and acts as a compensating expansion joint.

This solution, which also has the advantage of not requiring the machining of "T" grooves in the lining, on the other hand requires prior assembly of the eyelets.

Above all, it turns out to be totally unfit, in the eyes of the present inventor, to meet the criteria set out above, especially since by nature the eyelet used only serves as an exclusive attachment means, as is the case. includes any tightening function that would be detrimental to its function as an expansion joint.

The object of the present invention is to provide a means for fixing the linings which avoids the drawbacks and handicaps of known insulation solutions.

Another object of the invention is to be able to produce a simple, robust assembly, within the reach of all and requiring no special equipment or tools.

With these objectives in view, the invention relates to a remote connection element of a rigid thermal insulation lining, in particular of wood, on a metal frame constituting the bays of buildings, such as windows, element having a general shape in "I" whose central cylindrical core connects in the middle two wings of ends perpendicular to the axis
and intended, after having been engaged in receiving means provided for this purpose on the lining and on the frame to be assembled, to serve clamping pads by pivoting of the element around the axis of the core, which has in its middle part a prominence comprising two flat side faces, perpendicular to the axis, each facing a clamping pad, and a frontal surface allowing the grip of a working tool to effect the rotation of the element around the axis, element characterized in that the two flat lateral faces of the prominence have a surface projecting beyond the limits of the volume defined between the two pads and in that said pads have an inner face shaped as an inclined ramp which, on at least one pad, extends over the entire width of the pad, the direction of inclination being, on the one hand, reversed between the two half-faces located on either side of the central axis on the same shoe and, on the other hand, the same between the half-faces placed on the same side of the axis and facing one of the other on the two skates.

According to one embodiment, the prominence on the middle part of the central core is in an offset position towards the shoe intended to engage in the metal frame.

According to a preferred variant, the central core has a diameter equal to the width of the end wings.

The invention also relates to a composite structure for building bays, in particular for windows, constituted by a metal support profile and a thermal insulation liner fixed at a distance on said profile using the "I" connecting elements defined herein. before, whose end wings, of elongated rectangular shape, are engaged in receiving means provided as an undercut in a "T" shape on the faces of the lining and of the profile facing one another, these "T" receiving means having, on the one hand, an opening of width close to that of the wings and, on the other hand, an internal cavity of width at least equal to the width of the wings, the lips of the opening being in tight engagement in the spacing spaces between the prominence of the core and each end wing, which acts as a clamping pad after rotation of the element around its axis.

As will no doubt already be understood, the heart of the invention resides in a remote assembly between the metal frame and the insulating lining using a part designed to both play a role of wedge spacing through its central part and a clamping cam function acting separately but simultaneously on the profiles to be assembled by its two end wings cooperating with its central part.

In addition, the central spacer also serves as a gripping member for a tightening tool and, in a preferred embodiment, a quarter turn operation of the axis of the connecting piece is sufficient to complete the assembly of elements previously suitably positioned. The tightening tool can also be a simple flat wrench quite banal.

It should be emphasized that the composite structure obtained by remote assembly in accordance with the invention no longer poses problems consecutive to the phenomena of differential expansion since the metal support profile and the insulating lining, while being rigidly integral, are not directly related to each other.

It should also be observed that the spacing between the metal frame and the insulating lining is of great thermal interest. This spacing defines, in fact, an air space, further confined by the play of the various metal seals and baffles and which, as is known, is therefore the best thermal insulator after the vacuum.

• 1) une surface d'assemblage (face latérale plane de la proéminence centrale) importante, ou du moins sensiblement plus importante que celle des patins de serrage, en l'occurence dans un rapport de 1 à 2,5 au minimum et de préférence de 1 à 4,
• 2) des patins de serrage à effet de came progressif et constant durant toute la phase de serrage par rotation de l'élément autour de son axe, de manière à offrir aux lèvres de la contre-dépouille de réception en "T" sur les profilés, un logement entre la proéminence et un patin qui va en se retrécissant selon toute la largeur du patin lorsqu'on parcourt ce logement dans le sens contraire de celui du pivotement pour le serrage.

It should also be emphasized that, in relation to known elements of the same type, the connecting element, in accordance with the primary object of the invention, has essential distinguishing characteristics which can be summed up in two distinct provisions, but which combine advantageously their respective effects:

• 1) a large assembly surface (flat lateral face of the central prominence), or at least substantially greater than that of the clamping pads, in this case in a ratio of at least 1 to 2.5 and preferably of 1 to 4,
• 2) clamping pads with a progressive and constant cam effect throughout the clamping phase by rotation of the element around its axis, so as to offer the lips of the receiving "T" undercut on the profiles , a housing between the protuberance and a pad which is narrowed along the entire width of the pad when traversing this housing in the opposite direction to that of the pivoting for tightening.

The first characteristic mentioned specifically targets to compensate for even temporary deformations of the assembly which could result from the cantilever effect of the heavy lining (wood several centimeters thick) fixed at a distance on the metal profile.

It also ensures a "dilution" of the high clamping force exerted by each shoe on a large contact surface with the lining so as to establish through the thickness of the lips, a high pressure gradient and thus reduce the crushing effect of wood by compression. It also contributes to greatly improving the straightness of the assembly to be produced.

The second characteristic aims to allow the operator to benefit from a high sensitivity during tightening, which allows him in addition to properly balance his effort and to easily detect the end of tightening.

Furthermore, the progressive tightening force which results therefrom leads, in the lips of the lining, to a moderately increasing stress flow during tightening. This is likely to avoid sudden breakage of the clamping shoe which works severely in split with respect to the axis of rotation of the element.

It is thus possible, among other things, to use pads of reduced thickness (of the order of 0.3 to 0.7 cm to fix ideas).

Likewise, the range of choice for the material of the skate is considerably enlarged.

• - la figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble en perspective légèrement du dessus d'un élément de liaison selon une forme de réalisation préférée
• - la figure 2 est une vue en élévation de profil de l'élément de liaison montré sur la figure 1, .
• - les figures 3 et 4 sont également des vues en élévation de profil, illustrant deux variantes de réalisation de la partie centrale de l'élément de liaison
• - la figure 5 est une vue en coupe horizontale partielle d'une fenêtre à ossature métallique recouverte intérieurement par une doublure thermoisolante rigide conformément à l'invention.

The invention will in any case be well understood and other aspects and advantages will appear more clearly in the light of the description which follows, given by way of illustration and with reference to the accompanying drawing plates in which:

• - Figure 1 is an overall perspective view slightly from above of a connecting element according to a preferred embodiment
• - Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the connecting element shown in Figure 1,.
• - Figures 3 and 4 are also side elevational views, illustrating two alternative embodiments of the central part of the connecting element
• - Figure 5 is a partial horizontal sectional view of a metal frame window internally covered by a rigid thermal insulation lining according to the invention.

In all the figures, the same elements are designated by identical references,

The connecting element, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, consists of a single piece 1 molded from reinforced plastic, such as a polyamide (PVC for example) loaded with glass fibers. This part has a general conformation in "I" whose central cylindrical core 3 connects in their middle two end wings 4 and 5, mutually parallel and perpendicular to the core 3

The axis of rotation of the element has been symbolized at 6 and the arrow in FIG. 1 indicates the direction of rotation.

As can be seen, the central core comprises, in a position slightly offset towards the wing 4, a protrusion consisting of a square plate having two large flat side faces 21 and 22 perpendicular to the core 3 and a front surface 23 sufficiently wide to offer a correct grip with a tool, such as a wrench, intended to rotate the element around the axis 6.

Furthermore, the wings 4 and 5, which, as has been said, constitute clamping pads, have an inner face shaped as a double clamping cam 7, 7 'and 8, 8'.

This arrangement is made, as can be clearly seen in the figures, by giving each half-face 7, 7 'or 8, 8' an inclination or obliquity on the axis 6, which extends over the entire width of the skid and which leads to a progressive narrowing of the spaces 9 and 10 confined between the plate 2 and each of the wings 4 and 5 respectively when these spaces are traversed in the opposite direction to that of the rotation indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1.

Thus, the inclination is reversed between the two half-faces located on either side of the core 3 on the same shoe, namely the pair of half-faces 7 and 7 'and the pair of half-faces 8, 8 '.

In addition, the inclination is kept in the same direction between the half-faces placed opposite one another on the same side of the core 3, on the two pads, namely the two half-faces 7 and 8 d 'on the one hand and the two half-faces 7', 8 'on the other.

Another essential characteristic of the invention clearly appears in FIG. 1 in particular, where it can be seen that the lateral faces 21 and 22 of the plate are largely projecting with respect to the end pads, or if it is preferred with respect to at the limits of the volume defined between these two pads.

As has already been said, the end pads are intended to be engaged and then turned in reception means provided for this purpose on the metal support profile and on the heat-insulating lining and which are formed by undercuts.

These undercuts can follow one another at more or less regular intervals on the parts to be joined together or more advantageously consist of a continuous "T" groove, as is the case for the finished assembly with composite structure shown in FIG. 5 .

This figure shows, in partial section, a window whose metal frame is an aluminum profile in two parts, respectively constituting the frame 11 taken in the masonry 12 by sealing tabs 13 and the opening frame 14 on which is fitted with triple glazing 15.

The exterior and the enclosure of the room fitted with the window have been represented respectively by the letter (E) on the left of the figure and by the letter (I) on the right.

As can be seen, the metal frame 11, 14 is coated at a distance on the inner face with a rigid heat-insulating lining 16 q ^q i, in the example considered, is made of wood.

This lining consists of a part 17 attached to the frame and a part 18 attached to the opening.

When the window is closed, the part 17 of the opening cooperates with the part 18 of the frame by means of an elastic seal 19 which ensures the seal.

Furthermore, a multi-lip seal of the glazing bead 20 provided on the part 18 of the opening panel cooperates with its counterpart 24 fixed opposite a bearing surface of the metal frame to ensure the maintenance of the triple glazing 15.

In addition, a central seal 25 is also provided between the opening and the frame.

This seal is taken in the space separating the frame 11 from its lining 17 and is supported at its end on a metal surface 26 of the opening. Thus, the seal 25 creates a sealed partition between a first pneumatic isolation chamber 27 adjacent to the exterior (E) and a second pneumatic isolation chamber 28 separated from the interior (1) by the insulating lining 16.

To be complete, it is also necessary to point out the presence, in the opening, of an open housing 29 for the window closing mechanism, of a closed housing 30 for the connecting brackets between uprights and crosspieces, and of its counterpart 31 in the frame.

According to the invention, the two wooden parts 17 and 18 constituting the insulating lining are fixed at a distance on the frame and on the opening respectively using the connecting elements 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The provisions in this regard being identical between the opening and the frame, we will limit ourselves, for simplicity, to explaining the fixing of the insulating part 16 on the opening.

As already mentioned, receiving means, constituted in the example considered by "T" grooves 32 and 33, have been provided facing each other respectively in the metal profile and in the part 18 of the lining to each receive an end wing 4 or 5 of the element 1.

To this end, the lips 34 and 35 of the grooves define an opening whose width is slightly greater than the width of the end wings 4 and 5 which engage therein. As a general rule, the difference in width is limited to the simple functional clearance necessary to allow the introduction of the wings.

It will be observed, moreover, that the thickness of the lips is dimensioned as a function of the spaces 9 or 10 which receive them respectively so as to be, on the one hand, slightly less than the maximum width of the spaces to allow the engagement of the wings 4 and 5 on the inner face of the lips by rotation about the axis 6, and, on the other hand, slightly greater than the minimum width of the spaces to ensure the desired tightening effect during rotation in the direction indicated by the arrow.

We have seen that the faces 7, 7 'and 8, 8' of the wings, or pads, 4 and 5 are shaped as an inclined ramp along the entire width of the pads, so that, as will have already been understood, the minimum and maximum widths of each space 9 and 10 are defined by the distances separating the central support plate 2 from the edge closest to the faces 7, 7 ′, 6, 8 ′ of the pads and from the edge farthest respectively. As an indication, the difference between these two edges can advantageously be of the order of 0.3 to 0.5 mm for a shoe 1 cm wide approx.

• Le patin d'extrémité 4 est d'abord introduit dans la rainure 32 du profilé métallique support 14 en ayant ses grands côtés orientés parallèlement aux lèvres 34. L'introduction est terminée par la venue de la plaquette 2 en butée, par sa grande face latérale 21, contre la surface extérieure des lèvres 34.

The assembly operation is executed as follows:

• The end shoe 4 is first introduced into the groove 32 of the metal support profile 14 having its long sides oriented parallel to the lips 34. The introduction is terminated by the coming of the plate 2 in abutment, by its large face lateral 21, against the outer surface of the lips 34.

There is thus, along the groove 32, a plurality of connecting elements 1 spaced from each other by about 20 to 40 cm.

The wooden insulating part 16 is then placed by engaging it by its "T" groove 33 around the shoe 5 of each element 1 until the outer surface of the lips 35 comes into contact with the lateral face 22 of the plates. support 2.

The operations described so far can advantageously be carried out naturally by the simple play of gravity, if the window is arranged flat, the insulating lining 16 then simply comes to rest on the metal framework 14.

These preliminary operations being carried out, it remains to complete the assembly.

To do this, we provide a simple flat key capable of taking hold on the front wall 40 of the wafer 2.

It then suffices to operate the key according to a single movement imparting to the element 1 a rotation of 90 ⁰ around its longitudinal axis 6 in the direction indicated by the arrow.

During this rotation, the inner faces 7, 7 'and 8, 8' of the pads 4 and 5 come into contact respectively with the inner surfaces of the lips 34 and 35. Then the obliquity of these faces gives the pads 4 and 5 a role of cam which allows them to sink each a little more into their respective grooves, in accordance with the classic phenomenon of screwing.

These depressions result in a progressive reduction of the spacings between the plate 2 and each of the pads 4 and 5, that is to say by a progressive tightening of the lips 34 and 35 against the large lateral faces 38 and 39 of the plate 2. , under the axial forces in opposite directions exerted by the end pads 4 and 5.

If the cavities of the grooves 32 and 33 advantageously have a width at least equal to the length of the pads which they receive, a maximum clamping effect is achieved, and therefore an optimal connection, when the element has pivoted 90 °.

This elementary operation must of course be repeated successively as many times as there are elements 1 along the grooves.

As we have already seen, the plate 2 being eccentric on the core 3 towards the shoe 4, the widths of the spaces 9 and 10 are not equal.

This arrangement results from a relatively lower mechanical resistance of the wood compared to that of the metal frame. Strictly speaking, the spacings between the plate 2 and the two end pads 4 and 5 can be freely chosen and independently for the frame and the lining.

It is clear that this choice can be determined in each case as a function, in particular, of the nature of the materials constituting the elements to be assembled.

It will also have been observed that the connecting piece according to the invention remains a relatively simple piece, which can be produced, at low cost, in large series and at high rate using multi-cavity molds.

The assembly and disassembly of the lining is carried out with extreme simplicity and ease, both by the tools to be used and by the operating mode itself. Analogous to a building set, assembly (or disassembly) can be carried out both directly in the workshops and at and by the user himself, and this for both new windows and for existing windows.

Furthermore, under normal conditions of construction, the metal-plastic-wood composite structure obtained by the invention is very solid and perfectly meets all the contractual charges in terms of construction of building bays.

In this regard, it will be advantageous to use a connecting element having a thick axial core 3, of diameter equal to or substantially equal to the width of the end pads.

Such an arrangement makes it possible in particular to avoid any risk of internal sliding of the assembled structure and, in this regard, is justified especially when the internal cavities of the receiving grooves are oversized with respect to the length of the clamping pads.

It goes without saying that the invention cannot be limited to the example described above, but extends to multiple variavtes or equivalent insofar as the characteristics set out in the appended claims are respected.

This is particularly the case for the thickness of the support plate which allows the distance between the frame and the lining to be adjusted to a desired value.

FIG. 3 shows in this respect a remote connecting element whose central prominence of the core is no longer constituted by a plate, but by a thick radial bulge 41 of the core 3, the lateral support faces of which are in the form of flat crowns 42, 43 and whose circular front surface 44 has been knurled to ensure a good grip on a tool, which in this case is a pliers.

A variant derived from the previous one is shown in Figure 4.

In this example, and in order to save material, the bulge has been replaced by two plates 45 and 46 (similar to plate 2 in Figures 1 and 2) separated by a neck 47 of square section and serving as taken with a flat wrench.

Other variants can be envisaged. For example, the end pads 4 and 5 are not necessarily parallel to each other, but may very well be angularly offset at 90 ^th degrees, in which case the preassembly operation must be carried out by orienting the receiving grooves at 90 ° one in relation to the other.

Likewise, the essential characteristic of the invention, according to which the obliquity of the faces of the pads extends over the entire width of the latter is compulsory, as will be understood, only for the pad intended to compress the material of the thermal insulation lining (pad 5 in the figures).

Indeed, the decisive advantages of this arrangement with regard to the material of the lining, as indicated above, are much less significant in the case of a very resistant and incompressible material such as the metal from which the support frame is made. .

In addition, the invention relates to the fixing of thermal insulation lining of any shape or nature, not only of wood, but also of plastic or other material, insofar as this lining has a certain rigidity giving it a uniform hold. sufficient enough to allow remote fixing using the connecting element according to the invention.

Furthermore, the application of the invention is not limited to windows, but also extends to doors, skylights, etc., and in general to any opening or opening with metal frames both on the exterior facades of buildings only on interior partitions.

In addition to the results and advantages developed previously, the invention has many more general interests

Indeed, the connection obtained is reversible therefore non-final and easily removable.

In the case of the manufacture of windows, the linings on the sash advantageously serve as a glazing bead by its edge portion close to the glazing, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 5. This therefore gives the possibility of very easy change of glazing, ear it suffices to temporarily release the lining by loosening the connecting elements.

To achieve the same result, the known systems with definitive connection on the contrary require the installation of an independent glazing bead in the last assembly phase.

Furthermore, the removable nature of the connecting element makes it possible to offer customers a wide choice of profile-metal-lining combinations, both in the quality or nature of the materials and in their respective colors, and this within deadlines. minimum manufacturing and without requiring excessive stock.

In addition, customers will be able to exercise a well-considered choice, thanks to tests that they can perform on multiple combinations from a single set of profiles and a single set of presentation liners.

Claims (5)

1) Remote connection element of a rigid thermal insulation liner, in particular of wood, on a metal frame constituting building bays, such as windows, element constituting a clamping member by axial pivoting (6) and being under the shape of an "I" whose end wings (4, 5), intended to be engaged in receiving means in "T" formed on the frame and on the lining, constitute clamping pads and whose axial core (3) has a protrusion (2) having lateral support faces, element characterized in that the lateral support faces (21, 22) of the protrusion have a surface projecting beyond the limits of the volume defined between the pads (4, 5), in that said pads have on their internal faces (7, 7 ', 8, 8') an obliquity which, on at least one pad (5), extends over the entire width of that -this, and in that the direction of the obliquity on each face is determined so that the spacing space between the prominence of the core and a skid goes narrowing when it is traversed in the opposite direction to the axial pivoting direction for tightening. 2) Element according to claim 1 characterized in that the prominence (2) is eccentric on the axial core (3). 3) Element according to claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the axial core (3) has a diameter equal to the width of the pads (4, 5). 4) Composite structure for building bays, in particular for windows, constituted by a metal support profile (11, 14) and a rigid heat-insulating lining (17, 18) fixed at a distance on said profile using a plurality of connecting elements (1) defined above, characterized in that the end wings (4, 5) of each element (1), of rectangular shape, are engaged in receiving means (32, 33) provided in undercut "T" on the faces of the profile and the lining facing each other, in that said receiving means have, on the one hand, an opening, for the passage of the wings of the element, having a width close to that of said wings and, on the other hand, an internal cavity of width at least equal to the length of the wings, the lips (34, 35) of the opening being tightly gripped in the spacing spaces between the protrusion (2) on the axial core (3) of the element and each end wing (4, 5), the latter acting as a clamping pad by progressive compression of the lips (34, 35) against the lateral faces of the protuberance (2) during a 90 degree pivoting of the element around its axis (6). 5) Composite structure according to claim 4 characterized in that the receiving means formed on the metal profile (11, 14) and on the lining (17, 18) are grooves in "T".

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