EP1237780B1 - Ship window or porthole and method for making same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a porthole comprising a window casing (1) defining a window, a glass pane (2) housed in said casing and closing said window and a glass-clamp fixed on the casing (1) opposite the front edge of the glass pane (2) to maintain the latter in the casing, said glass-clamp (4) consisting of several elements or parts (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, ...) embedded, via their outer edge (4') in a groove (7) arranged in the inner surface (1a) of the casing (1), and maintained in said groove (7) by a fixing means. The invention is characterised in that the elements (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d,...) forming the glass-clamp (4) are arranged in succession, contiguous or slightly spaced and are maintained, in the groove (7), by retaining flanges or plates (8) fixed against the casing (1) front surface or inner surface, by a screw (9), said retaining flanges or plates (8) comprising a retaining spline (8a) oriented towards the rear portion of the porthole and supported against an inside surface of said elements, said retaining flanges or plates being preferably arranged in the zones (Z) where the ends of the various elements forming the glass-clamp meet.

Description

The present invention relates to a porthole or marine window intended for equip boats with high tonnages such as transport ships passengers, freight freighters, military vessels or other types of boats. It is also applicable to the manufacture of portholes used to equip large pools such as swimming pools, nautical stadiums, large aquariums, aquaculture ponds or others.

The invention also relates to the method of manufacturing such portholes or marine windows and, more particularly, a mechanical holding process of the glazing of these.

• un dormant 1, le plus souvent réalisé en acier et constitué par un profilé laminé ou étiré à chaud, ce dormant étant généralement soudé à la coque du bateau ou autre structure porteuse ;
• une vitre ou vitrage 2, constituée par un verre spécial d'épaisseur variable suivant la destination du hublot, cette vitre étant entourée par des joints étanches 3, et ;
• une pièce de retenue 4 appelée "pince-glace", généralement réalisée en laiton ou en inox, ce pince-glace étant fixé, selon les procédés habituellement mis en oeuvre actuellement, au moyen de vis 5, sur la face avant du dormant, pour maintenir le vitrage en position.

More specifically, the invention relates to portholes or marine windows of the type comprising:

• a frame 1, most often made of steel and consisting of a hot rolled or drawn profile, this frame being generally welded to the hull of the boat or other supporting structure;
• a window or glazing 2, constituted by a special glass of variable thickness depending on the destination of the window, this window being surrounded by seals 3, and;
• a retaining piece 4 called "ice-clip", generally made of brass or stainless steel, this ice-clip being fixed, according to the methods usually implemented at present, by means of screws 5, on the front face of the frame, for keep the glazing in position.

According to constructions of this kind, the ice-breaker crushes the joints of sealing placed on both sides of the circumference of the glazing, against a beat or shoulder called "ice rest" and formed in one piece with the sleeping.

The hardware is distributed around the circumference of the ice-cream pliers with spacing of the order of 75 mm to 100 mm, according to the standards in force. The clothe mechanical is therefore punctual and the dynamic pressures absorbed by the glazing (for example under the effect of wind and seawater packets in the most common application to boat equipment) are passed on to screw through the windshield clamp, which is the cause of a fault in resistance.

Currently, drilling and milling of the ice tongs and drilling and tapping of the frame are made separately, after pre-pointing operations. More precisely, the drilling-milling and the drilling-tapping of the ice tongs and of the frame, respectively, are made from a prime window clamp series on which all the holes have been traced and drilled; it then serves, on the one hand, to the pre-pointing of the frames which after that are pointed, drilled and sent to the paint treatment before being tapped, and on the other hand, the pointing of the ice tongs which are then drilled and milled.

It is a succession of long, very meticulous and difficult operations to be executed considering the volume and heaviness of certain parts. In in addition, even minor pointing errors can lead to scrap parts.

It is possible to carry out drilling, tapping, milling, using digitally controlled drilling-tapping units programmable, for example by means of a procedure whereby the drilling and tapping of the window clamp and the frame are carried out simultaneously after having assembled them by clamping; then you have to detach the window clamp from the frame to drill it to the diameter necessary for passage of the screws and countersink it to fit the screw heads.

This method of preparing the ice-cream maker and the frame therefore does not exclude not any manual intervention, while requiring manufacturing machinery expensive can only be piloted by very qualified performers.

Whatever the manufacturing process currently used (semi-automated or entirely manual), production costs, handling and raw material supply expenses, are very important.

Document US-1,763,489 A has proposed a metal window with guillotine comprising a frame in which is positioned a glazing maintained in position by a set of four looking bars which are simply engaged in a groove in the window frame. This results in the evidence, poor mechanical strength of the elements constituted by these wedging bars and, consequently, of the glazing itself, this which could have disastrous effects, including application to cars railway which is the only one mentioned in the above-mentioned document. We also observe that this device is practically inapplicable to portholes or marine windows that have angles and corner assemblies rounded.

We have also proposed, in document GB-1.361.285A, a window marine comprising a frame in which is housed a glazing and an ice-cream pliers engaged in a groove in said frame, blocking the glazing being provided by compressible wedges forcibly engaged between the latter and said ice tongs.

The mechanical strength of such a device is very poor, the wedges compressible which can be easily released (for example from the chassis) due to the vibrations to which the structure is subjected vessels or as a result of aging compressible materials, with the disastrous consequences that we imagine.

The aforementioned drawbacks of the devices described in documents US 1.763.489A and GB 1.361.285A explain why these devices are still not used in the equipment of ships whose portholes are generally made using the traditional technique previously exposed.

The invention therefore proposes to remedy the drawbacks outlined above windows described in documents US-1,763,489A and GB-1.361.285A, as well as to the disadvantages of portholes executed according to the traditional technique.

The porthole or marine window according to the invention is of the type comprising a frame defining a window, a glazing housed in this frame and closing said window and a window clamp attached to the frame, opposite the front edge of the glazing, in order to retain the latter in the frame, this ice-tong being made up of several recessed elements or parts, by means of their border external, in a groove in the inner surface of the frame, and held in this groove by a fixing means, and according to a first characteristic arrangement of the invention, this window is remarkable in that the elements constituting the ice-cream tongs are arranged one after the other, end to end, or slightly spaced and they are held, in the groove, by clamps or retaining plates fixed against the front surface or against the inner surface of the frame, by means of screws, these flanges or plates holding device comprising a retaining tab oriented in the direction of the rear part of the window and placed in abutment against an internal surface of said elements. Advantageously, these flanges or retaining plates are preferably arranged in the meeting areas of the ends of the various elements constituting the ice-cream pliers.

• réalisation d'un pince-glace premier de série ;
• pré-pointage du pince-glace et du dormant ;
• pointage, perçage et fraisage du pince-glace ;
• pointage, perçage et taraudage du dormant, dans lequel on doit seulement exécuter un petit nombre de taraudages (par exemple trois ou quatre) pour lesquels un positionnement extrêmement rigoureux n'est pas indispensable ;
• polissage du pince-glace.

Thanks to this arrangement, the following usual interventions are no longer necessary:

• production of a first ice-cream maker as standard;
• pre-pointing of the window clamp and the frame;
• pointing, drilling and milling the ice tongs;
• pointing, drilling and tapping the frame, in which only a small number of tappings (for example three or four) must be executed for which extremely rigorous positioning is not essential;
• polishing of the ice-cream pliers.

All handling relating to the above operations is also avoided.

On the other hand, the mechanical strength is greatly improved in due to the fact that the dynamic pressures absorbed by the glazing are not not reflected punctually on screws, but on the entire part of the ice tongs emerging from the groove in which the latter is securely recessed.

The installation of portholes is greatly facilitated and replacement glazing can be done easily and quickly, with a minimum tools.

Portholes executed according to current techniques still have a other drawback resulting from the one-piece construction of the frame and the rest of ice leading to the execution of a basic element whose manufacture and bending requires tools, dies or rolling mill trains, tools very powerful, bulky and expensive bending; further, storing this basic element is made difficult due to its irregular shape.

Another object of the invention is to remedy this drawback.

According to another characteristic arrangement of the invention, this objective is achieved through a manufacturing process which uses, for the production of frames, plates such as rolled steel plates, on the surface interior of which the ice rest is fixedly reported by any process suitable.

This process makes it possible to make window sashes, from elements of simple shapes, and therefore easier and more economical to realize, and, moreover, easily storable. We can reduce costs purchase of raw materials and tooling costs.

This mode of execution, like that resulting from the implementation of conventional manufacturing processes, does not eliminate the important problem of corrosion over time of the ice rest, when this is not done in stainless steel or aluminum.

According to another characteristic arrangement of the invention, provision is made for solve this problem using a process in which the glazing is fixed by by means of a joint glued, on the one hand, to the peripheral surface and to the surface of internal border of said glazing and, on the other hand, against the surfaces of the parts of the ice-cream pliers located outside the notch in which these are embedded and, against the inner surface of the frame, and we remove the ice rest which can be replaced by some anti-sagging stops placed on the rear side of said glazing and positioned punctually, for example on the sides and upper part of the window.

Thanks to this arrangement, the mechanical strength of the glazing is always ensured both in the pressure direction and in the opposite direction to the pressure (venting) and eliminating the problem of corrosion of the rest of ice cream.

All of the characteristic provisions set out above allows to gain productivity, savings in purchases, a reduction very important stocks and reduction of delivery times.

Les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues de face, côté intérieur, de deux hublots de forme rectangulaire et circulaire, respectivement, exécutés de façon classique.

La figure 3 est une vue en coupe et à plus grande échelle selon la ligne 3-3 de la figure 1.

Les figures 4 et 5 sont des vues de face, côté intérieur, de deux hublots de forme rectangulaire et circulaire, respectivement, réalisés selon un premier mode de mise en oeuvre de l'invention.

La figure 6 est une vue à plus grande échelle selon la ligne 6-6 de la figure 4.

La figure 7 est une vue de détail et de face, avec arrachement partiel, montrant le positionnement d'une bride ou plaquette de maintien de pince-glace dans la zone de rencontre de deux éléments adjacents de pince-glace.

La figure 8 est une vue en plan de la figure 7.

La figure 9 est une vue analogue à la figure 6 et montrant une variante d'exécution du mode de fixation du vitrage.

La figure 10 est une vue analogue à la figure 6 et illustrant une variante de réalisation de l'ensemble dormant-repos de glace.

La figure 11 est une vue analogue à la figure 6 et représentant une autre variante d'exécution de l'ensemble dormant-repos de glace.

Les figures 12 et 13 sont des vues de face, côté intérieur, de deux hublots de forme rectangulaire et circulaire, respectivement, illustrant un autre perfectionnement apporté par l'invention.

La figure 14 est une vue à plus grande échelle selon la ligne 14-14 de la figure 12.

La figure 15 est une vue de face analogue à la figure 7, montrant le positionnement d'une plaquette de maintien de pince-glace conformée selon un autre mode d'exécution très avantageux.

La figure 16 est une vue en plan de cette plaquette.

La figure 17 est une vue de face montrant la conformation des extrémités adjacentes de deux éléments de pince-glace voisins.

La figure 18 est une vue en plan de la figure 15.

La figure 19 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne 19-19 de la figure 18.

The aims, characteristics and advantages above, and others still, will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and from the appended drawings in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are front views, interior side, of two portholes of rectangular and circular shape, respectively, executed in a conventional manner.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on a larger scale along line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figures 4 and 5 are front views, interior side, of two portholes of rectangular and circular shape, respectively, made according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

Figure 7 is a detail and front view, partially broken away, showing the positioning of a clamp or plate holding ice tongs in the meeting area of two adjacent elements of ice tongs.

Figure 8 is a plan view of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 6 and showing an alternative embodiment of the fixing method of the glazing.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 6 and illustrating an alternative embodiment of the frame-rest ice assembly.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 6 and showing another alternative embodiment of the window frame-rest assembly.

Figures 12 and 13 are front views, inner side, of two portholes of rectangular and circular shape, respectively, illustrating another improvement provided by the invention.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view along the line 14-14 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a front view similar to FIG. 7, showing the positioning of an ice-cream clamp holding plate shaped according to another very advantageous embodiment.

Figure 16 is a plan view of this wafer.

FIG. 17 is a front view showing the shape of the adjacent ends of two neighboring window-clamp members.

Figure 18 is a plan view of Figure 15.

Figure 19 is a sectional view along line 19-19 of Figure 18.

Reference is made to said drawings to describe advantageous examples of realization of portholes and implementation of their manufacturing processes, according to the invention.

In these drawings, the components of the various portholes illustrated filling the same functions, are designated by the same references.

Thus, in a conventional manner, these different portholes or marine windows include a frame 1 defining an opening or window, a window or glazing 2 housed in the frame and closing said window, one or more seals seal 3, and a window clamp 4 fixed on the frame 1, interior side, facing of the edge of the glazing.

In addition, with the exception of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the portholes still have ice rest 6.

• le mot "avant" qualifie une surface orientée du côté intérieur du hublot en considérant la position que ce dernier est appelé à occuper après son installation sur une paroi porteuse ;
• le mot "intérieure" désigne une surface orientée en direction de l'axe ou centre du hublot ;
• le mot "externe" qualifie une surface ou une zone périphérique du hublot ou de l'une de ses parties constitutives ;
• le mot "postérieure" désigne une surface orientée du côté extérieur du hublot en considérant la position que celui-ci est appelé à occuper après son montage sur une paroi porteuse.

To facilitate understanding of the description which follows, concerning the description of the actual object of the invention, it is specified that:

• the word "before" describes a surface oriented on the inside of the window by considering the position that the latter is called upon to occupy after its installation on a load-bearing wall;
• the word "interior" designates a surface oriented towards the axis or center of the window;
• the word "external" describes a surface or a peripheral zone of the window or of one of its constituent parts;
• the word "posterior" designates a surface oriented on the outside of the window by considering the position that it is called upon to occupy after it has been mounted on a load-bearing wall.

According to a first arrangement characteristic of the invention, the ice-cream pliers 4 of the porthole or marine window, is made up of several elements or parts 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, ... These elements can be formed by bands flat metal whose shape is a function of that of the window. So the ice-tong of the rectangular porthole shown in Figure 4 consists of four elements 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d formed, each, of two rectilinear parts oriented at 90 ° and connected by a curved portion, while the window-glass clamp circular shown in Figure 5 is composed of three elements 4a, 4b, 4c in shape arcs of a circle.

The elements 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d of the window clamp are embedded successively, via their external border or border peripheral 4 ′, in a groove 7 of rectangular section formed in the inner surface 1a of the frame 1 (FIG. 6).

The elements constituting the ice tongs 4 can be made of steel stainless steel and be obtained by laser cutting of polished sheets. They are held in the groove 7 by a fixing or blocking means.

Advantageously, the elements 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, .... are engaged the one after the other, with a small interval, or placed end to end, in the groove 7, and they are held in place by locking members which, according to the examples shown, consist of flanges or plates of support 8 fixed against the inner surface of the front edge of the frame, by through screws 9. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 14, the retaining flanges 8 have a spout or retaining tab 8a oriented in direction of the rear part of the window and placed in abutment against the edge internal elements 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, .... Preferably, the holding flanges 8 are arranged in the zones Z where the ends of the different ends meet butted or slightly spaced elements constituting the ice-cream pliers (Figure 7). They have a vertical part intended to be applied against the front face of the ice-cream pliers 4 and a fixing sole 8b having a reverse orientation by compared to that of said beak or tongue 8a and allowing their attachment to the surface interior of the frame; they could also be conformed to be able to be fixed against the front surface of said frame.

As shown for example in Figure 6, we understand that the glazing is is securely maintained, by means of its peripheral border 2a, between the ice rest 6 and the ice tongs 4 firmly wedged in the groove 7 by the vertical face of the retaining flanges and the retaining tab 8a thereof. Seals 3, for example made of silicone or polyurethane, are arranged between, on the one hand, the glazing 2 and, on the other hand, the surfaces of the ice-cream pliers, of the frame and the ice rest arranged opposite those of the said glazing.

Figures 15 to 19 illustrate another embodiment of the holding 8 and setting the elements of the ice-cream pliers by means of such platelets.

According to this embodiment, the plates 8 are flat and are provided a hole 8c for fixing them, by means of screws 9 on the inside of the sleeping 1; they have a retaining tab 8a whose length I is less than the width L of their remaining part (FIG. 16), so that this the latter has a shoulder 8d on each side of said tongue. Else apart, the ends of the window-clamp members are provided with notches 21 whose width is at least equal to the thickness of the holding plates.

As indicated previously, the elements of the ice-cream pliers 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, ..., are engaged one after the other, with a reduced interval, or placed end to end, in the groove 7. The holding plates 8 are pressed against the inner face of the frame 1 and their retaining tab 8a is engaged in the adjacent notches 21, of two neighboring elements, after which they are fixed, by means of a screw 9 on said frame.

It is understood that the elements of the ice-cream pliers 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, ..., are firmly held in the groove, on the one hand, by the action of the shoulders 8d bearing against the front face of said elements and, on the other hand, by the action of the retaining tabs 8a engaged in the notches 21.

When the elements of the ice-cream pliers 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, ... are not actually arranged end to end, a small cover plate 22 can be fixed by gluing on the front face of the neighboring ends of said elements, so to mask the interval left between said ends.

According to another characteristic arrangement, the window frame 1 is made from a dish provided with at least one groove 7 and folded to obtain a tubular frame having the desired shape to receive the glazing 2, and the elements constituting the ice-cream pliers 4 are embedded in the groove of this frame.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the porthole or window marine according to which one uses, for the realization of the frame 1, a dish in one of the faces of which at least one longitudinal groove 7 is executed, this flat grooved being suitably curved so as to obtain a tubular body presenting the desired section (generally circular or rectangular), and so that said groove is inside this tubular body, we embed then, in the latter, after installation of the glazing 2 in said dormant, the elements 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, .... intended to constitute the ice-cream pliers, these elements being held in place by locking means advantageously constituted by the flanges or retaining plates previously described.

According to another interesting characteristic arrangement of the invention, the 1 of the portholes is formed by a plate such as a rolled steel plate, on the interior surface from which ice rest is reported by means or fixing method ensuring their joining or rigid assembly.

According to Figure 6, the ice rest 6 is constituted by a metal bar square section, fixed by welding 10 on the inner surface of the dish constituting the frame 1. In this case, the ice rest is, for example, made of steel, stainless steel or aluminum, and it can be made in a single item.

According to Figure 10, the ice rest 6 is constituted by a strip metallic embedded through its outer edge 6a, in a second groove 11 formed in the interior surface of the folded plate constituting the frame 1. It is held in place by welding 11a on the frame 1. It can be executed in stainless steel.

According to Figure 11, the ice rest 6 also consists of a dish or recessed flat metal strip, via its external edge 6a, in a groove 11 formed in the inner surface of the frame 1, but, according to this method of attachment, the ice rest 6 is held in place in the groove 11 of the frame, by means of flanges 12. These flanges comprise, for example, a sole 12a by means of which they are fixed, at the screw means 13, on the inner surface 1a of the frame 1, these flanges having a retaining spout 12b placed in abutment on the internal edge of the ice rest 6.

The ice rest 6 produced according to FIGS. 10 and 11, consists of several elements or parts arranged one after the other in front of the posterior peripheral border of the glazing 2 and, preferably, the flanges of holding 12 are placed in the meeting areas of the ends of the different butted or very slightly spaced elements constituting the rest of ice cream.

We could, of course, use holding pads 8 of the kind that shown in Figure 15, and conform the ends of the elements of the ice rest as illustrated in figure 16 for the elements of the ice tongs.

According to another characteristic arrangement of the method of the invention, uses, for the realization of the frame 1, a dish in one of the faces of which performs a first groove 7 intended for the reception of the elements constituting the ice-cream pliers and a second groove 11 parallel to the previous one and distant of it, the grooved plate then being folded so as to obtain a body tubular having the desired section and so that this second groove 11 is inside this tubular body, we then embed, in this last, a plurality of elements intended to constitute the ice rest 6, these elements being held in place by a locking means, for example by welding 11a or by blocking members such as those described previously.

According to another characteristic arrangement of the invention, provision is made to fix the glazing 2 by means of a seal 14 glued, on the one hand, to the peripheral surface and on the internal border surface of said glazing, and on the other hand, on the surface posterior of the elements of the window clamp located outside the groove in which these are partially recessed (Figure 9) and on the inner surface 1a of the dormant 1. One can use, for this purpose, glues containing silicone, or containing polyurethane or any other suitable glue.

According to this embodiment, provision is made to fix, punctually, by bonding or otherwise, some anti-sagging stops 15, fixedly placed on the outer side of the glazing 2. Such stops can, for example, be positioned on the sides and in the upper part of the glazing and rigidly fixed by any suitable method on the interior surface 1a of the frame 1.

Portholes or marine windows sometimes have a flange peripheral 16 arranged around the frame 1 and intended for the adaptation of the interior (non-load-bearing) wall of the ship. This outer peripheral flange is fixed by spot welding, staggered or by continuous welding peripheral. This has the disadvantage of generating constraints and deformations due to welding, and to require subsequent operations of straightening.

To eliminate this drawback, an embodiment of the window is provided. according to which the flange 16 is made up of several elements or parts 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, ... arranged them. one after the other and preferably end to end, around the frame 1. These elements consist of bands flat metal whose shape is a function of that of the window. They are recessed, through their internal border 16 ', in a groove 17 formed in the peripheral surface of the frame.

The elements 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, ...., constituting the collar 16 are made integral with the frame 1, by any suitable fixing means, by example by screwing, by means of screws 18, on a flange support 19 fixed on the periphery of the frame, for example by welding 20. In this way, the elements constituting the flange cannot come out of the groove 17 in which they are engaged.

According to another characteristic arrangement of the method of the invention, uses, for the realization of the frame 1, a dish in each of the faces opposite which at least one longitudinal groove 7, 17 is executed, this flat grooved then being folded so as to obtain a tubular body having the desired section and comprising a peripheral groove 17, it is then fitted, in the latter, a plurality of elements 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, preferably abutted one after the other, so as to constitute a flange peripheral 16, said flange elements being made integral with the frame 1 by any suitable fixing means, for example by means previously described.

Claims (11)

1. Porthole window comprising a window casing (1) defining a window, a glass pane (2) housed in said casing and closing said window and a glass-clamp fixed on the casing (1) opposite the front edge of the glass pane (2) to hold the latter in the casing, said glass-clamp (4) consisting of more than one element or part (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, ...) embedded via their outer edge (4') in a groove (7) arranged in the inner surface (1a) of the casing (1), and maintained in said groove (7) by a fixing means (8), characterised in that the elements (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, ...) forming the glass-clamp (4) are arranged in succession, end to end, or spaced slightly apart, and are maintained in the groove (7) by retaining flanges or plates (8) fixed against the front surface or inner surface of the casing (1) by screws (9), said retaining flanges or plates (8) having a retaining spline (8a) orientated towards the rear portion of the porthole and positioned to rest against an inside surface of said elements, said retaining flanges or plates being preferably arranged in the zones (Z) where the ends of the various elements forming the glass-clamp meet.
2. Porthole window according to claim 1, characterised in that the window casing (1) thereof is formed by a flat area provided with at least one groove (7) and folded so as to form a tubular frame, and the elements forming the glass-clamp (4) are embedded in the internal groove (7) of said frame.
3. Porthole window according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the retaining plates (8) are plane and incorporate a retaining spline (8a) of a length (I) shorter than the length (L) of the remaining portion thereof which features two shoulders (8d) arranged on either side of said retaining spline, and that the ends of the elements (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, ...) of the glass-clamp (4) are provided with a notch (21) enabling the retaining spline (8a) to be engaged in said retaining plates (8).
4. Porthole window according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the retaining plates have a vertical part designed to be applied against the front face of the glass-clamp (4), a nose or retaining spline (8a) adapted to bear against the inside edge of said glass-clamp, and a fixing sole plate (8b) of reverse orientation to that of said retaining spline.
5. Method for manufacturing porthole windows of the type comprising a window casing (1) defining a window, a glass pane (2) housed in said casing and closing said window and a glass-clamp (4) fixed on the casing (1) opposite the front surface of the peripheral edge (2a) of the glass pane (2), characterised by using, to produce the window casing (1), a flat construction in one of whose faces at least one longitudinal groove (7) is realised, said grooved flat construction being suitably curved so as to obtain a tubular body exhibiting the desired cross-section, and that said groove (7) is situated inside said tubular body, thereafter embedding in the latter a plurality of elements (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, ...) enabling the glass-clamp (4) to be formed, said elements being held in place by a locking means (8), preferably constituted by retaining flanges or plates, screwed onto the front face or against the inner surface of the window casing (1), and provided with a retaining spline (8a) positioned to rest against an inner surface of said embedded elements.
6. Method for manufacturing porthole windows according to claim 5, characterised in that the glass rest (6) is mounted on the inner surface (1a) of the flat construction incorporating the window casing (1) by a method or joining means ensuring that said glass rest (6) and said window casing (1) form a rigid assemblage.
7. Method for manufacturing porthole windows according to claim 6, characterised in that the glass rest (6) is fixed by means of a weld (10) onto the inner surface (1a) of the window casing (1).
8. Method for manufacturing porthole windows according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterised by using, to produce the window casing (1), a flat construction in one of whose faces a first groove (7) is made which is designed to receive elements that form the glass-clamp and a second groove (11) parallel to the preceding one and spaced apart therefrom, the grooved flat construction next being folded so as to obtain a tubular body presenting the desired cross-section and such that said second groove (11) is situated inside said tubular body, thereafter embedding in the latter a plurality of elements designed to form the glass rest (6), said elements being held in position by a locking means, for example by welding (11a) or by locking members such as retaining flanges or plates (12) fixed by means of screws (13) onto the inner surface (1a) of the window casing (1) and featuring a retaining spline (12b) positioned to rest against an internal edge of the glass rest (6).
9. Method for manufacturing porthole windows according to claim 5, characterised in that the glass pane (2) is fixed in the window casing (1) by means of a joint (14) bonded, on the one hand onto the peripheral surface and on the inner edge surface of said glass pane and, on the other hand, on the rear surface of the glass-clamp (4) elements, which surface is located outside the groove (7) in which said elements are partially embedded, and on the inner surface (1a) of the window casing (1), with wind-deflecting stops (15) preferably being fixedly positioned on the rear side of the glass pane.
10. Method for manufacturing porthole windows according to any of claims 5 to 9, featuring a peripheral flange (16), characterised by using, to produce the casing window (1), a flat construction in each of whose opposing faces at least one longitudinal groove (7, 17) is realised, said grooved flat construction next being folded so as to obtain a tubular body having the desired cross-section and incorporating a peripheral groove (17), thereafter embedding in the latter a plurality of elements (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d), preferably butt-jointed one after the other, so as to form a peripheral flange (16), said flange elements being rendered integral with the window casing (1) by any suitable fixing means, for example screwing, by means of screws (18), onto a flange support (19) fixed by welding onto the periphery of said window casing.
11. Porthole window characterised in that it is the result of implementing the method according to any one of claims 5 to 10.

Images