EP0650547B1

EP0650547B1 - A weather guard for windows

Info

Publication number: EP0650547B1
Application number: EP91908898A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jan Olsson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-04-26
Filing date: 1991-04-22
Publication date: 1997-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 2011-04-22
Also published as: SE9001517D0; FI924796A; WO1991016519A1; SE9001517L; ATE156563T1; SE467745B; FI94796C; EP0650547A1; FI94796B; FI924796A0; DE69127212D1

Abstract

The invention relates to a weather guard (1) intended to be fitted externally to a window. The guard includes a frame and a cloth (2) coacting with the frame (4, 4a, 4b, 4c) and the frame is intended to abut parts of the building facade (A, A') that are located adjacent the window, such as to form a free space (B) between the window frame and the cloth (2). The frame comprises a plurality of frame-members which extend from a common securing device (3), and a number of these frame-members are pivotally connected to the securing device (3) so as to be movable between a mutually diverging, window-covering position in which the cloth is stretched-out, and a collapsed transport position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a weather guard for one or more windows, and particularly to a weather guard which is intended to be fitted externally onto a building and which is dimensioned to cover not only the window or windows, but also the window linings.
The weather guard is of the kind which has the form of a frame which supports a cloth or fabric, wherein the frame and cloth are adapted so that the edges of the cloth can be brought into abutment with parts of the building facade located adjacent the window and to form a free, limited space between window frame, window lining or reveal and said cloth.

BACKGROUND ART

Window guards of the aforedescribed kind are known to the art in several different forms, and have been proposed with the intention of enabling primarily maintenance to be carried out on window frames and external window linings or reveals, for example, painting, in principle the whole year round, by protecting said frames and linings against rain, heavy winds, snow and cold.
One such known window guard used in practice (which is extensible and collapsible) is described and illustrated on an information sheet entitled "Mästartips", published by Mälaremästarnas Riksförening, No. 1, June, 1986. The frame of this known weather guard consists in a number of frame members which include two mutually opposing frame-members which are mutually joined in a concertina-like fashion, and when in its extended or opened-out position and fitted to a window frame, the guard forms a box-like configuration on the outside of the window.
A similar construction which comprises extruded aluminium profiled sections and a flame-proof and reinforced plastic sheet is earlier known from a product leaflet 4-4 published by BYGG TEMA AB, 914 00 Nordmaling, Sweden.
It is further to be mentioned that the present invention is considered developed from the arrangement disclosed in the Publication SE-A-445 571 where an arrangement according to the preamble of Claim 1 is previously known.
As prior art can also be mentioning the arrangements disclosed in the Patent Publications; SE-B-445 378; SE-B-450 508; DE-C2-2 814 871 and US-A-2 834 441.
The present invention also makes use of constructing elements found in common umbrella arrangements.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

When studying the known prior art, as described above, it will be see that a technical problem resides in the provision of an umbrella-like weather guard for the aforesaid purpose which is not only light in weight but which can also be readily extended, fitted and applied externally to a window and can also be readily dismantled and collapsed, through the medium of a simple frame construction.
It will also be seen that a technical problem resides in the provision of a weather guard of simple and lightweight construction which can be fitted by a single person without needing to use special implements or stands to this end.
Another technical problem is one of realizing the significance of constructing a wind guard having a basic umbrella-like construction which can be extended and collapsed in accordance with the umbrella principle and which, while comprising solely four frame-members which diverge from a central part, will not only afford a solution to the aforesaid technical problems but will also afford constructional advantages.
Another technical problem is one of realizing the significance of configuring the frame members used in a particular manner such that when the guard is extended or opened-out, cloth parts which are located between the frame parts will lie against parts of the building facade surrounding around the window and there form a satisfactory air seal.
It will also be seen that another technical problem is one of realizing the different angles within which an outer curved or bent part of respective frame-members, formed from light-metal tubing, shall be located and the optimal lengths which shall be given to of said curved or bent parts in order to provide a good fit around a window, while still providing sufficient space for the window, etc. to be painted, among other things the external reveals.
A further technical problem is one of realizing the significance of providing a securing device which presents a short, inwardly directed rod whose free end presents an eye for securing the weather guard to the window structure, said eye either coacting with a window centre-post or with a separate post or rail, with the aid of a simple tensioning or tightening joint or the like.
Another technical problem is one of realizing the importance of dimensioning and shaping the cloth in a manner which will enable the edge margins thereof to pass beyond the free ends of the curved or bent frame-members, so that, at least in respect of mutually adjacent ends, the cloth, in the extended state of the weather guard, will pass beyond a straight line adjoining said free ends through a distance of 10 cm.

SOLUTION

The present invention thus relates to a weather guard which is intended to be fitted externally to a window structure and which comprises a frame and a cloth coacting with said frame, as stated in the preamble of Claim 1.
The noval features related to the present invention are stated in the characterizing part of Claim 1.
Features related to preferred embodiments within the inventive idea are stated in the subclaims.

ADVANTAGES

The inventive umbrella-like weather guard provides the advantages of being light in weight but nevertheless sufficiently stable for the purpose intended. The weather guard can also be fitted firmly to a window in a simple manner, either by using a centre window-post or a separate post, said post preferably comprising of two telescopically coacting, hallow profiles of light-metal, such as aluminium material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A proposed exemplifying embodiment at present preferred and having features significant of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which

Figure 1: is a perspective view from inside a window frame having fitted thereto an inventive weather guard, said guard being secured with the aid of a separate rail;
Figure 2: is a sectional view of an inventive weather guard, with the weather guard extended and resting against the facade of a building;
Figure 3: is a perspective view of a guard-securing device placed centrally on the weather guard; and
Figure 4: is a perspective view of a separate rail comprising two telescopically coacting hollow profiles.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS AT PRESENT PREFERRRED

Figure 1 illustrates an umbrella-like weather guard 1 which is intended to be fitted externally around a window. The illustrated guard comprises a frame and a cloth or the like 2, which can be stretched across the frame. The weather guard is intended to abut the outside of the window and parts A, A' of the building facade located externally of and adjacent to the window, such as to form a free space B around said window, i.e. between window frame, window reveals and said cloth 2.
In accordance with the invention, the frame comprises a number, preferably four, frame- members 4, 4a, 4b, 4c which diverge from a common guard-securing device 3, wherein a number of said frame-members, preferably all with the exception of one, are pivotally connected to said securing device 3.
Normally, each of these frame-members is pivotally connected to the securing device 3, so that the members, or spokes, can be swung to an outwardly extended, window-covering position, shown in Figure 1, and to a collapsed transport position, not shown, in which the guard has an external configuration similar to that of a closed umbrella.
In the case of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, all frame-members are pivotally connected to the securing device 3.
Since the pivotal attachment is identical for all frame-members, only the pivotal attachment of the frame-member 4 will be described here.
This frame-member 4 consists of aluminium tubing and one end 43 thereof is provided with a through-passing hole, which coacts with a locking pin 5, which passes through a hole in a frame-member holder 6.
The frame-member 4 passes through an elongated pocket or sleeve on the cloth 12, in a known manner, wherein the ilustration shows exposed parts of the frame-member in the vicinity of an outer curved or bent part and adjacent the securing device 3.
Respective frame-members consist of a straight-part 41, which is embraced by the pocket or sleeve, guided in the cloth or fabric 2, and a curved or bent part 42 at the outer end 44 of the frame-member 4.
The curved, or bent, part 42, defines an angle "a" of from 90-45°, preferably from 60-80°.
The length of respective frame-members, including the curved part 42 and a shorter straight part adjacent the end surface 44a of the frame 4, is depending upon the size of the window and said curved part 42 is arranged outside the window a distance, referenced "1", of 5-25 cm, preferably about 15 cm. The cloth 2 is dimensioned so that its edge parts are able to extend beyond the free ends 44a of respective curved-parts, at least between mutually adjacent ends, through a distance of from 3 to 10 cm, preferably about 5 cm, this cloth-part being referenced 21.
The aforesaid distance is calculated between a straight line which joins two adjacent end-parts 44a, and the free edge of the cloth.
The securing device 3 also includes a short inwardly extending rod 32, which has an eye 33 provided on the free end thereof.
A tensioning band 11 or the like possessing some degree of elasticity is provided between the securing device 3 and a post 10 fitted on the inside of the window, or between said device and the window centre-post (not shown).
In the Figure 4 embodiment, the post 10 comprises two mutually telescopic, hollow sections 10a, 10b, each of which is provided on its respective extremity with a pivotal hook devices 12 and 13. Each of the hook devices 12 and 13 is pivotable about a pivot pin 12a and 13a respectively, and can be swung to a transport position adjacent the post part.
In the Figure 4 illustration, the hook devices 12, 13 are swung outwardly, so as to enable the post 10 to be located at a short distance from the internal window frame and window reveals.
The two hollow sections 10a, 10b can be secured in a predetermined position with the aid of a screw device 14, with a surface 15 and a surface 16 on respective hook means devices in abutment with wall surfaces located inwardly of the window, preferably an upper and a lower wall surface related to the window.
It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the illustrated exemplifying embodiment thereof and that modifications can be made within the scope of the invention defined in the following Claims.

Claims

A weather guard intended and adapted to be fitted by the use of a securing arrangement externally of a window and comprising a frame and a cloth or fabric which coacts with said frame, said frame being intended to abut with facade surfaces located adjacent the window, such as to form a free space between the window frame and the cloth, characterized in that the frame comprises a number of frame-members (4-4c) which extend from a common central securing device (3) in an umbrella-like manner, in that at least some of said frame-members (4-4c) are pivotally connected to said securing device (3, 32, 33) so as to enable said members to be swung to mutually diverging window-covering positions in which the cloth is extended, and a collapsed transport position, that said securing device (3, 32, 33) forms a part of said securing arrangement (3.32.33.11.10) and that edges of the cloth are formed to lie against parts of the building in a guard fitted position.
A guard according to Claim 1, characterized in that all frame-members (4-4c) are pivotally connected to the securing device (32) and extend in elongated pockets or sleeves provided in the cloth.
A guard according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a number of frame-members comprise a straight-part (41) which extend from the securing device (32) and which are terminated with a curved or bent part (42).
A guard according to Claim 3, characterized in that the curved or bent part (42) defines an angle (a) of from 90-45°, preferably 60-80°, with said straight part (41).
A guard according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the curved or bent part (42-44a) has a length of 5-25 cm, preferably about 15 cm.
A guard according to Claim 1, charac-terized in that the securing device (3) includes in a fitted position an inwardly extending rod (32) which has fastener means, for instance in the form of an eye (33), provided on the free end thereof.
A guard according to Claim 1 or 5, characterized by tensioning means (11) provided between the securing device (3) and a post, which forms part of the window structure.
A guard according to Claim 1 or 5, characterized in that a post (10) comprises two mutually telescopic parts (10a.10b) which are separate from the window structure.
A guard according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cloth is dimensioned to extend beyond the free end of respective curved or bent parts, at least between mutually adjacent ends, through a distance of 3-10 cm, preferably about 5 cm.