EP0897437B1

EP0897437B1 - Connection for a window system

Info

Publication number: EP0897437B1
Application number: EP97919771A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Anton Tapper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-05-03
Filing date: 1997-05-02
Publication date: 2002-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2017-05-02
Also published as: DE69710059D1; EP0897437A1; DE69710059T2; NL1002997C2; WO1997042380A1; AU2412797A

Description

The invention relates to a section connection according to the preamble of Claim 1.

In the period 1930 - 1960 window systems consisting of a number of hot-rolled steel sections which were welded to form windows were used. A single pane was placed in such a window and then connected to the window by means of putty. Such a window system has a recognizable appearance, in particular owing to the relatively narrow steel sections. However, the known window system has a number of disadvantages. The use of putty makes the fitting of double glazing virtually impossible and is relatively time-consuming. Moreover, the steel sections mean that thermal conductance is present between the two sides of the pane, which is undesirable.

The object of the invention is to provide a section connection in the case of which the above disadvantages are avoided.

This object is achieved in the case of a section connection of the type described above by the characterizing features of Claim 1.

British Patent GB-2292955-A, of which Claim 1 is delimited, discloses a construction for a front wall, consisting of section parts to be inserted into each other. In this case a pin construction is used near the nose. Since this relates to a front wall construction with a number of panels, no fastening is present near the base. In the case of the relatively narrow sections according to the present application, such a connection is absolutely essential for obtaining sufficient strength in the construction.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

The invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to the drawing, in which Figs. 1A-N show various embodiments of the window system according to the invention.

Figs. 2A-2H show different steps of the interconnection of two sections and the production of a window.

Figs. 3A and 3B show perspective views of a connecting piece according to the invention.

Figs. 4A-4E show views of the connecting piece illustrated in Figs. 3A-3B, viewed in the direction indicated in Fig. 3A.

Corresponding parts are provided with the same references in the figures.

The window system according to the invention will first be explained with reference to the window section illustrated in Fig. 1C. The window section illustrated in Fig. 1C is a relatively simple window section for the window system according to the invention. The other alternatives illustrated in Fig. 1 constitute further embodiments or modifications of the window section illustrated in Fig. 1C. The window section illustrated in Fig. 1C comprises a base section 1, a cover strip section 2 which is connected to the base section by means of the connecting piece 3, and two panes 4 which are retained by the system. The

sections

1, 2 are preferably extruded from aluminium. The base section 1 comprises a body 5 which is provided at one end with flanges 6, extending on either side of the body. Each flange 6 is provided at the end with a block-shaped element 7, in which a groove 8 is provided. The groove 8 is open towards the pane 4. The body 5 extends between the panes 4 and ends at a distance from the panes 4 in a block-shaped element 9. Said block-shaped element 9 is provided with a groove 10 which is open towards a side facing away from the panes 4. The body 5 is provided with a number of openings or bores 11 situated at a regular pitch.

The cover strip section 2 is V-shaped, the walls 12 which form the V enclosing an acute angle with each other. The walls 12 are interconnected near one side by a wall 13 situated crosswise to the body 5. Near the side facing away from the walls 13, each wall 12 is provided with a lip 14 extending towards the body. The connecting piece 3, which will be explained further with reference to Figures 3A-3B and 4A-4E, extends through the opening 11 into the body 5, so that the connecting piece is situated on either side of the body 5. The connecting piece 3 is provided with a number of stop faces 15 facing the panes 4, against which stop faces the lips 14 rest.

An elastically deformable plastic strip 16 is situated between each flange 7 and the pane 4, which strip is provided at a side facing away from the panes 4 with a barbed element 17 which is in contact with the groove 8.

Elastically deformable plastic strips 18 are also situated between the lips 14 and the pane 4. The

metal sections

1 and 2 and the panes 4 are thermally insulated from each other by the elastically

deformable strips

16 and 18 and the plastic block 3. In this case the base section is preferably situated on the inside of a space, while the cover strip section 2 is disposed on the outside thereof. The connection of window sections to form a frame will be explained further with reference to Figs. 2A-2H.

Fig. 1K shows a window section in which the base section 1 is provided with a double-walled body 5 which is provided with two guide grooves 19 extending parallel to each other at sides facing the cover strip section. Each guide groove 19 is bounded by a wall 20 of the body 5 and two wall parts 21 facing each other. The first wall part 21 extends from the double-walled body 5, while the other wall part 21 extends from the block-shaped element 9. Connecting pieces 3 are fixed in the guide grooves 19 in a way which will be explained further. The window section illustrated in Fig. 1K further comprises two cover strip sections 2 which are disposed in mirror symmetry and each comprise a wall 22 which forms an acute angle with the pane and a wall part 23 which extends crosswise to the body 5. At the side facing away from the wall part 23, the wall 22 is provided with a lip 24 which faces the body 5 and is in contact with a contact face 15 of the connecting piece 3. The wall part 23 rests against an elastically deformable plastic strip 25 which is in contact by means of a barbed element 26 with walls of the groove 10.

At a side facing away from the cover strip sections 2, the base section 1 is provided with double-walled flanges 6 which are provided with a spacer 27 at a side facing away from the body 5. At an end facing away from the flange 6, the spacer is provided with the block-shaped element 7. The spacer 27 is further provided with a supporting flange 28 which is situated between the flange 6 and the block-shaped element 7 and extends towards the body 5. The double-walled flanges 6 and the double-walled body 5 produce a mechanically stronger section 1 than that in Fig. 1C, but this does mean that the dimensions are greater. A metal strip 60 can be fixed in the double-walled body 5, for further reinforcement of the base section 1.

The other window sections form variations of the embodiments shown in Figs. 1C and 1K, the window sections illustrated in Figs. 1H and 1J being suitable for fitting at the edge of a pane, while the window sections according to Figs. 1D, 1E and 1H are suitable for fitting panes 4 which can be swivelled relative to each other.

The remaining window sections shown in Fig. 1 are other variations of the window sections illustrated in Figs. 1C and 1K, in the case of which the flanges 6 may or may not be double-walled, may or may not be provided with a spacer 27 and/or are provided with a supporting flange 28, the body 5 may or may not be double-walled and a single cover strip section or two cover strip sections 2 are used. If two cover strip sections 2 are used, a strip 25 is also fixed to the base section.

The structure described above, which is shown with reference to Fig. 1, makes it possible to connect together various interconnecting sections in a cascade-type manner. In this process, in each arrangement the connection is made so that it is essentially situated near the glazing or the panel, so that different sections can be connected to each other in a simple manner irrespective of the design of the section. Besides, it is possible in this way to limit the dimensions of the sections as much as possible, which is one of the objectives of the invention.

The fitting of a window system according to the invention will now be explained with reference to Figs. 2A-2H, the exemplary embodiment illustrated here forming part of a larger window frame in which a number of window sections are interconnected horizontally and vertically to form a frame in which a number of panes 4 are placed. The description given below is applicable in a similar manner to the interconnection of two window sections illustrated in Figs. 1A-1N. In the description which follows ' will be used to distinguish between different sections of different window sections.

Fig. 2A shows a base section 1 which is provided with a double flange 6, a spacer 27 and two grooves 19 situated on either side of the body 5. The base section 1 forms part of a vertical window section of a window. For connection of the base section 1 to a horizontally extending base section 1', the block-shaped element 7 of the base section 1 is provided with a rectangular opening 30. The opening 30 extends as far as the double-walled flange 6. A bore 61 is also made in the block-shaped element 9, which bore is situated opposite the centre of the rectangular opening 30. A U-shaped insulating corner piece 31, provided with two holes 32 situated in line with the groove 8, is then placed in the rectangular opening 30 (Fig. 2B). Two pins 33 are then pushed through the holes 32, one pin being moved downwards in the direction indicated by arrow P1, while the other pin 33 is moved upwards in the direction indicated by arrow P2. The pins 33 are moved in the directions indicated by arrows P1, P2 until they are situated fully in the groove 8. A base section 1' is subsequently provided with a bore 34 extending crosswise to the grooves 8'. However, the bore 34 does not extend through the body 5' of the base section 1'. The base section 1' is also provided with a bore 11'. The base section 1' corresponds to the base section 1 of the window section illustrated in Fig. 1C.

The base section 1' is then moved in the direction indicated by arrow P3 until the bores 34 are situated in line with the groove 8 of the base section 1 and the groove 10' is situated opposite the bore 61 (see Fig. 2C). The pins 33 situated in the groove 8 are then moved through the

holes

32 and 34 towards the body 5' of the base section 1' by means of a tool (not shown) inserted into the grooves. After that, the pin 33 is pushed into the bore 61 and the groove 10', which produces a mechanical connection of the base sections 1, 1' in a simple way (Fig. 2D). The

grooves

8, 10 and 8', 10' in this case extend crosswise to each other, the axes of the

grooves

8, 8' and 10, 10' being situated in the same planes. Owing to the fact that the pin-groove connections are situated outside the plane in which the pane 4 is placed, the distance between two adjacent panes depends only on the thickness of the body 5, and can therefore be relatively small.

In the case of the step illustrated in Fig. 2E elastic plastic strips 16, 16' are fixed in the grooves 8, 8'. The strips are prevented from coming out of the grooves 8, 8' by the barbed elements 17, 17' connected to the strips 16, 16'. Owing to the fact that the axes of the grooves 8, 8' are situated in one plane, the strips 16, 16' are also situated in the same plane and form a support face for a pane yet to be fitted. The strip 25 is also fitted in the groove 10 of the base section in this step.

In the step illustrated in Fig. 2F a pane which is provided with two glass panels 35 extending parallel to each other and an element 36 interconnecting the panels 35 is fitted. The pane 4 does not form part of the invention and will therefore not be explained further. A number of plastic blocks (not shown) are placed on the base section 1', on which blocks the pane 4 rests, and by means of which thermal contact of the pane 4 with the base section 1' is avoided. After the pane 4 has been fitted, a number of connecting pieces 3, 3' are fixed on the base sections 1, 1'. The two connecting pieces 3, 3' are identical, but are connected to the base sections 1, 1' in different ways. The connecting piece 3 (see Figs. 3A-3B) is provided with two

flanges

40, 41 which extend parallel to each other and are interconnected by an element 42 which is rounded off on two sides. At a side facing away from the flange 40, the flange 41 is provided with a knob-shaped element 43. The knob-shaped element 43 comprises a part 44 which is bounded by two eccentric circular arcs, and a part 45 which comprises, inter alia, a stop face 15. The connecting piece 3 will be explained further with reference to Figs. 3A and 3B, 4A-4E. The width D2 of the connecting piece 3 is slightly smaller than the width D1 of the groove 19 of the base section 1. For fixing of the connecting piece 3 to the section 1, the connecting piece 3 is directed in such a way that the flange 40 is pushed through the hole in the guide groove 19 bounded by the walls 21. The connecting piece 3 is then swivelled in the direction indicated by arrow P5 until the connecting piece 3 has assumed the position illustrated in Fig. 2F, in which the

flanges

40, 41 are situated on either side of the wall parts 21. The ends of the flange 40 in this case lie against the inside walls 46 of the guide grooves 19.

The connecting piece 3' is connected to the base section 1' by inserting the knob-shaped element 43 through the hole 11' (Fig. 2B) until the flange 41 rests against the body 5'. In this case the connecting piece is first situated in a position in which it has been rotated through 90° relative to the position shown in Fig. 2F. By then swivelling the connecting piece 3' in the direction indicated by arrow P6 into the position shown in Fig. 2F, the flange 41' is pressed against an upright wall 47 of the block-shaped element 9'. This produces a good, solid clamped connection of the connecting piece 3' to the base section 1'.

The fixing of the cover strip sections 2, 2' will be explained further with reference to Figs. 2G and 2H. In this case the cover strip sections 2, 2' are brought into contact with the connecting pieces 3, 3'. The cover strip section 2 will be brought into contact with the stop face 15, while the cover strip section 2' will be brought into contact with the stop face 15' at one side and with a stop face 15'' at another side of the body 25. For the sake of clarity, the reference number 15'' is indicated at the connecting piece 3, instead of at connecting piece 3'.

In Fig. 2G the cover strip sections 2 are connected to the base section 1. In this case the wall 23 is in contact with the plastic strip 25, while the lip 24 situated at the other side of the wall 22 is in contact with the contact face 15. Here, the end 48 of the lip 24 is situated in the space bounded by the flange 41 and the element 45 and rests against the "spherical" element 44. Openings 49 are formed in the cover strip sections 2, for feeding through base section 1'. After the cover strip sections 2 have been fitted, the strips 18 are pressed between the pane 4 and the lip 24. A watertight seal of the pane 4 is obtained by means of the

strips

18 and 16.

The cover strip section 2' is then connected to the base section 1', in which case the lip 14' is brought against the stop face 15' of the connecting piece 3', while the end of the lip 14'' is simultaneously pressed behind the stop face 15'' of the connecting piece 3'. Elastically deformable strips 18 are subsequently fixed between the cover strip section 2' and the pane 4 by pressing the elastic strip 18 into the space between the cover strip section 2' and the pane 4.

As a result of the relatively narrow bodies 5, 5' extending between the panes 4 and the obtuse angles formed by the cover strip sections 2, 2' with the pane 4, the appearance of a steel window system with putty fastenings of the type commonly used in the period 1930 - 1960 is obtained. The window system according to the invention is therefore highly suitable for the replacement during renovation work of worn steel window systems with new window systems according to the invention, at the same time producing the advantage of a thermally insulated system and the possibility of double glazing. The window system according to the invention is also simple to adapt to various desired window constructions.

In order to obtain a rectangular frame from a window section, connecting elements suitable for the purpose can be used, in which case the window sections are fixed to each other in a mitred manner.

If a window comprising four panes disposed in a square is desired, a rectangular frame, for example, can be made first, using the base sections 1 illustrated in Fig. 1H. Two sections 1 situated opposite each other can then be connected in the centre by, for example, a section 1 according to Fig. 1B. A rectangular opening 30 (Fig. 2A), running through to the line indicated by L1, is made here in the section 1 (Fig. 1H).

A U-shaped corner piece 31 is then fitted in the rectangular opening, after which the section 1 (Fig. 1B) can be fixed by means of pins 33. The section 1 (Fig. 1B) can then be connected to the section 1 (Fig. 1H) extending parallel thereto by, for example, a section 1 (Fig. 1C). For this purpose, the base sections 1 (Fig. 1H and Fig. 1B) are provided with rectangular openings 30 which extend to the line L2. Following this, the U-shaped corner pieces 31 are fitted in the openings 30. In the case of the section 1 (Fig. 1H), the supporting flange 28 forms a reference here for the corner piece 31. After the interconnection of the base sections 1, the strips, panes, connecting pieces and cover strip sections 2 can be fitted in the manner described above. The dimensions of the base sections are such that during interconnection of the sections the grooves 8, and consequently the strips 16 situated therein, are situated in one plane, so that the strips 16 form a support face for the pane to be placed against them.

The connecting piece 3 will be explained further with reference to Figs. 3A-3B and Figs. 4A-4E. As already indicated above, the connecting piece 3 comprises two

flanges

40, 41 situated at a distance from each other and an element 42 situated between them. The flange 40 comprises a stop face 15. The flange 40 is further provided with two

rounded parts

50, 51 situated diametrically opposite each other. The flange 41 is also provided with

rounded parts

50, 51. The rotation of the connecting piece 3 in the direction indicated by arrow P6 (Fig. 2F) is facilitated by the

rounded parts

50, 51. In Fig. 4B a (dotted) line 52 indicates the contour of the element 42. The diameter of the rounded parts of the element 42 corresponds to the width D2 of the connecting piece.

The contour 53 of the element 44 is indicated by (dotted) lines in Fig. 4D. The contour 53 comprises two half circle parts which are displaced relative to each other, the first, top circle part having centre point M1, and the second, bottom part having the centre point M2.

The centre point M2 is also the centre point of the rounded parts of the contour 52 of the element 42.

Fig. 4A illustrates the three different stop faces 15 against which a cover strip section 2 is to be fixed. Depending on the choice of the base section 1, the body 5 of the base section 1 will be in contact with the

flanges

40 and 41 and the element 42 or with the flange 41 and the

elements

44, 45. (For both applications see the window sections described above according to Fig. 1K and Fig. 1C respectively)

It is also possible to use other plastic connecting pieces. The plastic connecting piece must be provided with at least one stop face, and must be made from a thermally insulating material. It is possible to obtain fastening of the plastic connecting piece to the base section by, .for example, elastic deformation of the connecting piece, instead of by rotation of the plastic connecting piece. Fastening by means of screwing or gluing of the connecting piece to the base section is also possible. The number of plastic connecting pieces which must be used along one side of a pane depends on the dimensions of the pane, and will in general be at least 2.

Claims

Section connection for producing a window construction bearing a panel (4) and comprising a first (1) and second (1') section for connection to each other, each section comprising a T-section, and the body (5) of the T-section being fitted in the boundary between adjacent panels, while the flange (6) of each section is provided near the outer boundary with upright parts (7, 7'), each provided with an accomodation (8, 8') for receiving a sealing profile (16, 16', 17, 17') for sealing with said panel, and a connecting pin (33), characterized in that the first section (1) said accomodation comprises a cavity (32) which is accessible through an open groove, the largest dimension of said cavity being greater than the largest crossectional width of said groove (8), and in that the at least one upright part of the second section is provided at the end of said second section with a hole (34) which extends at right angles to the plane of the body, and in which said pin is fitted in said cavity (32) and extends through said hole (34).
Section connection according to Claim 1, in which the free end of the body of at least one of said sections has a thickening (9, 9') with a cavity provided with an open groove (10, 10'), the largest crossectional dimension of said cavity being greater than the dimension of said groove, and the free end of the body of the other section being provided with a hole (61), while a pin (33) or screw extends into said cavity through said hole.
Section connection according to one of the preceding claims, in which the flange of each section comprises a single connecting part to the upright parts which extends at right angles to the body, and the distance between the upright part and the connecting part of the first and second section differs to an extent which is at least equal to the thickness of said connecting part.
Section connection according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a cover strip (2) which covers a part of the body extending beyond the panel, which cover strip (2) is connected to a connecting piece (3) by snapping into the latter, which connecting piece (3) is fixed to the body of the section, the connecting piece comprising a base part (40-42), a neck part (44) and a head part (45).
Section connection according to Claim 4, in which the head part is provided with an edge (15), behind which said cover strip is snapped.
Section connection according to one of claims 4 or 5, in which the part of the body extending beyond the panel is provided with a recess extending parallel to the lengthwise direction of the section, for receiving the base part (40) of the connecting piece.
Section connection according to one of Claims 4 - 6, in which the base part is provided with an edge (15) behind which said cover strip is snapped.
Section connection according to one of Claims 4 - 7, in which the part of the body extending past the panel is provided with a hole (11), the dimensions of which correspond to the smallest dimension of either the head or the base part of said connecting piece.
Section connection according to Claim 8 in conjunction with Claim 2, in which the part with the largest dimension of either the head or the base part of the connecting piece is not rotationally symmetrical relative to the neck part and the distance between the axis of the hole (11) and the outer boundary of said thickening (9, 9') is smaller than or equal to the largest distance between the axis of rotation of said neck and the outer boundary of said base part of the connecting piece.