EP0502354B1 - End cap for closing a hollow profile bar of windows, doors or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

An end cap (10) for closing the end of a hollow profile bar of windows, doors or the like is provided with clamping projections (12) engaging in the profile bar (11) and has an external periphery (13) axially adjoining the bar profile (11). In order to be able to form the end cap (10) differently externally and internally optically but also in terms of material, it is divided axially into at least two separately manufacturable part pieces (14, 15) which are assembled in a radially fixed manner after their manufacture. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to an end cap for closing a hollow profile rod of windows, doors or the like, with clamping projections engaging in the rod, and with an outer circumference axially adjoining the rod profile.

Window, door or the like consisting of hollow profile bars. Frames can have bars with open ends that must be closed with end caps. Such rods are, for example, mullions of double-leaf windows, in which the mullion is attached to the opening edge of one wing and serves as a stop bar for the other window wing. The hollow profile bars are often bluntly cut off or in any case not completely designed so that their end is adapted to the cross section of the transverse, adjacent profile bar. The end cap can take over such an adjustment. The end cap is thus arranged between the blunt or unmatched end of the hollow section bar and the section bar running transversely thereto. Although it is necessary that the end cap closes the hollow profile rod, namely in order to prevent contamination and, above all, an exchange of air, which would reduce the thermal insulation in the region of the hollow profile rod, on the other hand, the end cap must also be visually adapted to the adjacent profile rods. This applies not only to the shape, which is such that the outer circumference of the end cap corresponds to that of the rod profile, so that the outer walls of the end cap extend the outer surfaces of the hollow profile rod, but that applies also for the coloring. Profile bars are often used which are not of the same color throughout. Hollow section bars are widely used, the inner surfaces of which are colored differently than the outer surfaces. For example, the outer surfaces are often made dark, while the side and inner surfaces of the hollow profile rod are white. This is achieved in that dark layers are extruded onto the outer surfaces during the production of the hollow profiles. However, the end caps used to close a hollow profile rod are not extruded parts in which a corresponding color design could be carried out. Rather, they are injection molded parts, in particular injection molded parts made of plastic, in which a two-color design would be extremely complex and therefore practically impossible. On the other hand, it can not be deviated from the requirement to design the end cap so that it is color-matched to the conditions of two-colored profile bars; because it is obviously unacceptable that an end cap that is visible from the outside is white, for example, if the outer surfaces of the frame are dark, or vice versa, that an end cap surface that is visible on the inside and / or from the side is also dark on the inside because of the dark coloration present on the outside, and therefore because of it bright coloring disturbs certain appearance of the frame.

In order to eliminate such optical defects, it is known to paint over the surfaces of end caps in those areas in which they differ in color from the hollow profile rod. However, it is obvious that such a painting over, for example with a dark color, is problematic when working quickly and / or when using unsuitable materials.

The invention is therefore based on the object of improving an end cap with the features mentioned at the outset in such a way that it can correspond to the desired two-color or multicolor appearance without major problems arising during its manufacture. In particular, it should not be necessary to have to take corrective measures at the location of an assembly of a window or a door.

This object is achieved in that the end cap is axially divided into at least two separately producible sections which are assembled radially fixed after their manufacture.

It is important for the invention to recognize that the end cap does not necessarily have to be in one piece. Rather, a multi-part end cap, that is to say consisting of sections, can be used to meet the requirements for an appropriate color design without impairing the other functions of the end cap. It is therefore possible to produce each of two or more sections in a specific color, which takes into account the adjacent coloring of the hollow profile rod, provided the axial division of the end cap has been carried out accordingly. The two or more differently colored sections can be assembled radially fixed after their manufacture. They then perform the functions of a one-piece end cap, but are also adapted to the appearance of the frame of the window.

There are a number of constructive solutions for assembling the sections in a radially fixed manner. An indirect assembly with the aid of the hollow profile bar can be done by inserting the separate sections with their clamping projections into the open end of the hollow profile bar.

It is more expedient, however, to assemble sections of the end cap directly, so that the assembled end cap can be assembled as a whole with the hollow profile rod. In this sense, it is advantageous for the end cap that its sections have adjoining wall sections with locking coupling and counter coupling means. With this configuration of the end cap, its sections can be detachably assembled before the end cap is attached to the hollow profile rod via the locking coupling and counter coupling means. The adjoining wall sections also determine the axial division plane of the two sections, so that the additional construction work for the two-part or for the multi-part is low is. The locking coupling and counter coupling means can be matched to the rest of the design of the end cap.

Advantageously, the end cap is designed so that one section as a locking coupling means has an undercut groove, and that the other section is provided as a mating coupling means with a bar engaging in the undercut. The design of the sections as a groove or as a strip allows a customary and simple molding technique to be used, and it is thereby possible to ensure the strength and connection requirements for a secure connection of the two sections to one another.

In an embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the undercut groove of one section is open on the rod side and is provided with a stop for the bar of the other section on its opposite, rod-facing end. This special configuration of the groove makes it possible to insert the bar of the other section in such a way that the two sections assume a defined position relative to one another. In addition, it is ensured that the section having the bar cannot be moved away from the rod. This means an additional securing of the fastening of the end cap to the hollow profile rod.

According to a further feature of the invention, a projecting hook can also be provided as a locking coupling means on one section, and a hook recess open to the hollow profile rod can be provided on the other section as a counter-coupling means for the hook of the other section to be hooked therein. There may be little radial play between the two sections in the area of their interlocking hook recess and the hook, whereby insertion and clamping tolerances to the hollow profile rod can be absorbed.

Finally, it is also advantageous if the section to be arranged on the outside of the window and having the hook does not, like the other, consist of plastic, but of die-cast metal exists, whereby a greater impact and wear resistance is achieved.

Fig.1

einen Querschnitt durch einen horizontalen unteren Fensterholm mit einer Seitenansicht eines von einer Endkappe verschlossenen Hohlprofilstabs,

Fig.2

ein erstes und

Fig.3

ein zweites Teilstück einer in Fig.1 nur schematisch dargestellten Endkappe erster Ausführungsform, während die

Fig.4 und 5

eine zweite Ausführungsform der Endkappe in perspektivischer Darstellung wiedergeben.

The invention is explained with reference to two exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

2 shows a cross section through a horizontal lower window spar with a side view of a hollow profile rod closed by an end cap,

Fig. 2

a first and

Fig. 3

a second section of an end cap shown only schematically in Fig.1 first embodiment, while the

Fig. 4 and 5

reproduce a second embodiment of the end cap in a perspective view.

1 shows a cross section through a lower spar 22 of a window frame, not shown, of a double-leaf window. The spar 22 has an outer wall 22 'on the window reveal side, which is adjoined at right angles by a spar inner wall 22''and a spar outer wall 22'''. A wing-side spar wall 22 ^IV is provided with two projecting strips 23 which enclose a center seal groove 24 for a center seal 25 between them. The center seal 25 serves to seal the outside of the window against the inside of the window on the two casement frames and on a hollow profile rod 11 or on its end cap 10.

The hollow profile rod 11 is arranged between the spar 22 shown and another upper horizontal spar, not shown, and is fastened to the opening edge of a window sash, of which only the bar L overlapping the spar 22 can be seen in FIG.

The hollow profile rod 11 consists of a plastic rod, not shown in cross section, which can be profiled similar to the window frame, it being understood that the other rods of the frame are also made of plastic. It is possible to use a different material for all hollow profile bars in the frame. Fig. 1 shows that the outer wall 11 ' of the hollow profile rod 11 is aligned with the outer wall 22 '''of the spar 22. On the inside of the window, the hollow profile rod 11, with the interposition of the sealing strip 11 '', bears firmly against the casement frame L, which projects beyond the window-side wall 22 ^{IV of} the spar 22 and therefore overlaps part of the window inner wall 22 '' of the spar 22, so that there is at least an optical seal is present.

The hollow profile rod 11 is horizontally butt-cut to its entire width corresponding to the spar 22. Its open end is closed by the end cap 10. The end cap 10 supplements the hollow profile rod 11 axially in the direction of the spar 22 such that the space between the end surface 26 of the hollow profile rod 11 and the adjacent surfaces of the spar 22 is reduced or filled. For this purpose, the end cap 10 is designed such that its outer circumference 13, which adjoins the profile circumference of the hollow profile rod 11 axially, is equal to the outer circumference of this rod 11. The outer circumferential surfaces 13 'of the end cap 10 thus extend the outer circumferential surfaces 11' '' of the rod 11. This results, for example, in particular from the central sealing groove 24 'shown in FIG. 2 for the end cap 10, which extends the central sealing groove 24 of the hollow profile rod 11.

It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the central sealing groove 24 'is formed by two strips 23' which are comparable to the projections 23 of the spar 22 and which are arranged on the outer peripheral surface 13 'of the section 14 of the end cap 10.

The end cap 10 consists of the two sections 14, 15, which are each shown separately and in perspective in FIGS.

While the section 15 is essentially an angular part, which covers the hollow profile rod 11 in the area of the flap 22 ^V and should accordingly have the color of the outer wall 22 '''of the spar 22 or the color of the outer wall 11' of the rod 11 the section 14 arranged on the inside of the section 15 and consequently color-matched to the side walls 11 '''of the rod 11, which it optically extended with its outer peripheral surfaces 13 'in the direction of the wall 22 ^{IV of} the spar 22. The section 15 can consequently be made, for example, from dark plastic, while the section 14 can be made from light plastic. The section 14 has an axially much greater extent than the section 15, so that it is hollow profiled to a spar-side bottom, as can be clearly seen in FIG.

Since the end cap 10 must be connected to the rod 11, it has clamping projections 12. The clamping projections 12 project axially over the end walls 27 with which the end cap rests on the end face 26 of the rod 11. As a result, the clamping projections 12 can become jammed laterally on the walls of the rod 11 and thus ensure a sufficiently firm connection of the end cap 10 to the rod 11. The respective design of the clamping projections 12 depends on the design of the profile of the rod 11. The clamping projections 12 are present in pairs on each section 14 or 15, so as to cooperate in the manner of spring tongues. They are located on the bottom of the end cap on the side of the rail and protrude above the end cap walls without touching them.

Both sections 14, 15 have axially extending wall sections 16 and 17, which are parallel to each other. They serve on the one hand to cover the free end of the rod 11 in connection with an abutment on a projection of the flap 22 ^{V of} the spar 22 and on the other hand they have latching coupling and counter-coupling means for mutual connection. A groove 18 is provided on section 14 as the locking coupling means, while section 15 has a strip 19. The groove 18 has undercuts 18 'on both groove walls, into which hooks 19' of the strips 19 engage when the strip 19 and the groove 18 are pushed together vertically. The groove 18 is open on the rod side, but is closed at its groove end facing away from the end 11 ^{IV of} the rod 11 in order to close the open rod end. The end of the end 20 of the groove 18 forms a cross bar or a stop 21, so that the bar 19 cannot be pushed deeper than the stop 21 allows. The sections 14, 15 thus have a precisely predetermined one Relative position to each other and thus the desired exact position at the end 11 ^{IV of} the rod 11.

Both sections 14, 15 are shaped as required by the cross section of the spar 22. In particular, there is also a groove contact surface 28 for the center seal 25.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the two sections 14 ', 15' forming the end cap 10 are generally similarly contoured to the sections 14 and 15, the same reference numerals referring to the essentially matching sections. Here, however, the radially fixed connection of the two sections 14 ', 15' is achieved in that a protruding hook 29 is provided on the section 15 'as a locking coupling means, which is present in the section 14' as a counter-coupling means, so that it is open towards the hollow profile rod 11 Hook recess 30 is hooked. The hook 29 has a T-profile, the crossbar 29 'of which engages behind the wall 31 of the section 14' surrounding the recess 30 in the suspended state. In this case, the bar 19 '' present on the section 15 'is continuously formed over a wide area and contoured in accordance with the groove 18 provided on the section 14', but without being able to reach behind the undercuts 18 'thereof, since the bar 19''does not have any correspondingly projecting side ribs 19 'as the section 15 of Figure 3 has. The section 15 'in this case is advantageously made of die-cast metal, whereby a sufficient connection strength via the hook 29 but at the same time also an improved impact resistance compared to the 22 ^V crossbar is achieved. The section 14 'is still advantageously made of appropriate plastic. The hook 29 and the recess 30 are dimensioned such that there is a slight radial, for example only 1 mm wide, play between the two sections 14 ', 15'. In this way, on the one hand, the different thermal expansions between the sections 14 ', 15' can be better absorbed, but at the same time insertion tolerances between the insertion parts 12, 12 'and the hollow bar profile can be compensated for.

It goes without saying that the two sections 14 ', 15' shown are only intended for a specific, namely left-hand window sash stop, that is to say they are each designed to be mirror images of the other right-hand window sash stop, with the central seal groove 24 'on the section 14' being approximately in height the tip of the reference arrow 13 in FIG. 4 and the bar 19 ″ with the hook 29 would lie at the level of the tip of the reference symbol arrow 15 ′ in FIG. 5. So that only the parts 14 'and 15' belonging to each other can be plugged together during production-related assembly, an additional recess 32 is provided on the part 14 'and a nose 33 fitting therein on the part 15'. The latter thus prevents a pair of sections 14 ', 15' which do not belong together from being inserted incorrectly into one another via the hooks 29 and the recess 30 during assembly. Corresponding manufacturing errors are excluded.

Claims (9)

1. End cap (10) for closing off a hollow profiled upright (11) of windows, doors or the like, comprising clamping projections (12) engaging in the upright (11), and having an external contour (13) for axial contact with the profile of the upright, characterised in that the end cap (10) is divided axially into at least two separately prefabricated components (14, 15) which are assembled after their manufacture so as to be radially solid.
2. End cap according to claim 1, characterised in that its components (14, 15) include interengageable wall sections (16, 17) with latching coupling means and counter coupling means (e.g. groove 18, ribs 19).
3. End cap according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the one component (14) has an undercut groove (18) as latch coupling means, and the other component (15) is provided with a rib (19) engaging in the undercut as counter coupling means.
4. End cap according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the undercut groove (18) of the one component (14) is open on the side towards the upright and is provided at its opposite end (20) remote from the upright with a stop (21) for the rib (19) of the other component (15).
5. End cap according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that a projecting hook (29) is provided as latching coupling means on the one component (15') and on the other component (14') as counter coupling means there is provided a hook recess (30) which is open towards the hollow profiled upright (11) and which is arranged to have the hook (29) of the other component suspended therein. (Figs. 4, 5).
6. End cap according to claim 5, characterised in that the hook (29) and the hook recess (30) are provided in the region of the groove (18) provided on the one component (14') and the rib (19'') provided on the other component (15') which projects into the groove.
7. End cap according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the hook (29) provided on the component (15') has a T-shaped profile.
8. End cap according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that there is a small amount of radial play between the two components (14', 15') in the region of the hook recess (30) and of the hook (29) which is engaged with the recess.
9. End cap according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the component (15') which has the hook (29) and which is arranged on the outside of the window is of pressure cast metal. (Fig. 5).

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