EP1338717B1 - Roof frame with sliding panels - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a panel chassis sliding for roofing or the like, intended in particular although not exclusively, to realize an outlet for smoke exhaust.

We already know in the art many achievements of a device of this kind, comprising in particular an opening intended to free or close a passage in the roof and generally comprising a flat panel allowing, in the open position, the evacuation of smoke or other, from inside a room located under this roof towards the outside atmosphere, above it.

In particular, when the opening is carried by a frame fixed, integral with the roof and surrounding the passage, the opening can be obtained by lifting this opening like a bellows using a jack or of a similar control means, which exerts a thrust upwards on the edge or lower cross member of the panel, the other crosspiece at its upper part being articulated on the edge of the frame.

This solution is impractical and leads in particular to extend the roof panel outwards by passage opening position, so it is then subject to the wind which can exert an effort on it prohibitive. Furthermore, in such a device, it is required to hold the panel in this position, to associate it with slide bars or others that accompany its tilting around the articulation provided on the frame, these strips being of a relatively complex realization and presenting a certain fragility.

Another classic solution is to mount the panel of the opening above the passage delimited by the fixed frame of the frame, so that it can slide in its plane on slides or similar guiding means, integral with this frame and parallel to the slope of the roof, by releasing or on the contrary by closing this passage.

In this case, the panel moves over the passage, preferably also under the effect of a jack which exerts its push on this panel in the plane of it and bottom to the top.

This second solution has the advantage over a bellows type opening of the previous type, not to bring the panel above the roof and avoid the effects of the wind on it. However, it presents still disadvantages.

In such an embodiment, in fact, the opening is made always pushing the sliding panel away from the fixed frame, from bottom to top, due to sealing constraints imposed on the chassis due to the slope of the roof and the need to plan, on the upper edge or crosspiece of the panel, a ledge or a similar cuff, with a sealing member which, in panel closed position, closes the existing clearance necessarily between the fixed frame of the frame and the panel mobile, so as to avoid infiltration of water from rain dripping on the roof.

But such a displacement of the panel upwards for opening the passage requires that the actuator command could overcome resistance relatively important opposite by this panel because of its weight which can be accentuated depending on the slope, which requires a dimension of this notable cylinder and increases its cost, especially if this cylinder must maintain the passage opened and the panel pushed back accordingly during a high time, to allow evacuation satisfactory smoke to the outside.

In addition, it is necessary in this solution, to equip the fixed frame and the movable panel of an anti-guillotine system so that in the event of an unexpected failure and the cylinder suddenly, the previously opened panel is not brutally dragged in reverse, from top to bottom on its slides under the effect of its own weight, which may be the cause of an accident with respect to a person having part of his self engaged in the opening of the passage.

Again, the cost of the whole can be seriously burdened by the use of such a system which further, according to dimensions of the frame and the slope of the roof, can require the use of means protruding above the roof, which makes the whole unattractive. DE 8 606 789 U presents another solution.

The present invention relates to an opening frame sliding which falls under this second solution, with the opening panel which releases or closes the passage in the frame by sliding relative to it according to the slope of the roof, but which avoids the aforementioned drawbacks.

To this end, the chassis considered, comprising on the one hand, a fixed frame, to be integral with the roof of a building and to delimit laterally a passage provided therein, in particular for allow smoke to escape from inside a room placed under the roof towards the outside atmosphere, on the other hand, an opening formed by a panel for sliding in its plane with respect to the frame, in a direction parallel to the slope of the roof above the passage to realize, according to the relative position of this panel, the opening or closing of it, includes this panel sliding of the sash, which is produced by means of two half-elements identical which, in the closed position of the passage, are joined to each other in a median plane transverse separating the passage into two equal parts and which are spaced from each other by equal distances and opposite with respect to this plane when opening this passage, and this chassis comprising means which ensure that displacements of the two half-elements of the panel being continuously conjugated and symmetrical in two opposite directions.

Preferably, the displacements of the two half-elements of the sliding sash panel are made by means of a cylinder or the like.

In a particular embodiment of the chassis considered, the frame comprises, to delimit the passage a rectangular frame in the roof, with two vertical side faces extending along the slope of the roof, and two other end faces as well vertical, perpendicular to the side faces, the sleeping comprising according to at least and preferably its two side faces, outside the passage, of the rollers fixed guides, cooperating with integral slides respectively of the two half-elements of the sliding panel opening, these slides extending parallel to the roof slope.

According to an additional characteristic, the slides of the two half-elements each have a rack engaged with a common idler gear, disposed between the slides and whose axis is carried by the lateral face of the dormant, this pinion ensuring synchronous opposite movements of the two half-elements by relative to the dormant.

According to another characteristic, the integral slides of the two half-elements of the sliding panel of the sash are superimposed, the racks of its slides being arranged opposite and separated by a vertical distance equal to the diameter of the idler gear carried by one of the lateral sides of the frame.

Advantageously, each of the two half-elements of the panel sliding of the sash is flat and includes a return vertical which extends parallel to the lateral face of the frame and which carries the slide of this half-element.

According to yet another characteristic, the plates forming the two half-elements of the sliding panel, comprise glazing beads ensuring the mutual recovery of these plates to the right of the transverse median plane separating the passage in two equal parts.

Preferably, the glazing beads have seals for seal the two half-elements when they are joined in the transverse median plane.

• La Fig. 1 illustre schématique un panneau coulissant, d'un type connu dans la technique.
• La Fig. 2 est une vue en perspective d'un châssis, à ouverture coulissante, établi conformément à l'invention.
• Les Fig. 3 et 4 sont des vues schématiques à plus grande échelle, en coupe transversale, montrant les deux demi-éléments du panneau coulissant de l'ouvrant, respectivement en position d'ouverture et de fermeture du passage.
• Les Fig. 5 et 6 sont des vues analogues aux schémas des Fig. 3 et 4, précisant avec plus de détails la structure des moyens mis en oeuvre dans le mode de réalisation considéré.

Other characteristics of a sliding opening frame, established in accordance with the invention, will become more apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the drawings in which:

• Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a sliding panel, of a type known in the art.
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a frame, with a sliding opening, established in accordance with the invention.
• Figs. 3 and 4 are schematic views on a larger scale, in cross section, showing the two half-elements of the sliding panel of the opening, respectively in the opening and closing position of the passage.
• Figs. 5 and 6 are views similar to the diagrams of FIGS. 3 and 4, specifying in more detail the structure of the means used in the embodiment considered.

In Fig. 1, reference 1 designates as a whole a sliding opening frame of a type known per se in the art, comprising a fixed frame 2 intended for be mounted on a roof 3 having a given slope, whose value is indifferent to the invention, this frame delimiting a passage 4 of substantially rectangular shape formed in the roof to allow evacuation to through this passage of fumes or similar vapors, since inside a room located under the roof towards the outside atmosphere.

The frame 2 extends around the passage 4 and has a vertical rim 5 secured to a base 6 bearing on the roof 3, and is open to the outside and inside to through this passage.

On the edge 5 is slidably mounted a panel sliding 7, generally planar, comprising a frame 8 for a central glazed surface 9 but which could be constituted differently and in particular be full.

A control jack 10 ensures the operation of the sliding panel 7 to pass it from the bottom to the high, from a closed position where it completely seals passage 4 to an open position where, conversely, it completely releases it, allowing the fumes to escape through the roof 3. In the example shown, the cylinder 11 of the jack 10 is integral with the edge 5 of frame 2, while its rod 12 is fixed by an attachment point 13 on a cross member of the frame 8 of the panel 7, operate this jack thus ensuring sliding of the panel opposite the frame in one direction or in the other, this sliding of the panel being controlled by guide means, in themselves conventional, provided on the panel or the frame and of which it is not necessary to expose here the detail of the realization.

Likewise, it goes without saying that the actuating cylinder of the sliding panel could be mounted differently, with its cylinder fixed on this panel and its rod immobilized on the frame, unlike the above assembly.

Such an embodiment has the disadvantage that the sliding panel 7 exerts permanently on the jack 10, when the latter is in the extended position where it releases passage 4, a permanent antagonistic effort due to its own weight and the slope of the roof 3, which requires large dimensions of this cylinder and increases by therefore the cost of installation.

In addition, in the event of a sudden cylinder failure, fear that the sliding panel 7 may come back suddenly in its initial position i.e. in the one where he closes passage 4, like a guillotine, possibly causing an accident in case an individual has introduced part of his self in the opening of the passage, which requires, in an achievement of this kind, to provide means of immobilization or at least of braking of the panel in its course.

In addition, the location of the passage in a roof for the exhaust of smoke, must be determined so that the opening thus created is located at the closer to the highest part of the roof, so that evacuation is as efficient as possible, vapors or hot gases which tend to accumulate in this part.

Now, with a sliding panel 7 whose surface corresponds substantially to that of passage 4, it is necessary to provide a space above the frame 2 in the roof sufficient travel, such that this passage is itself shifted downwards by the corresponding distance, thus limiting its optimal location.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an opening chassis sliding, made in accordance with the invention, this chassis 2 comprising, as in the previous example, a frame 2 with a vertical flange 5 and a base 6 for bearing on the roof 3, delimiting passage 4 to be closed.

According to the invention however, the sliding panel, here referred to as 14 as a whole, consists of of two half-elements, respectively 15 and 16, presenting each the same surface and arranged so that this surface corresponds approximately to half that of the passage 4, the two half-elements 15 and 16 also being associated with means which make it possible to synchronize their reverse movements of each other so that, when completely discarded, passage 4 is fully released, while when these panels are in contact and contiguous with each other according to a median plane passing through the middle of this passage, shown schematically in 17 on figure, and dividing it into two equal parts, it either totally closed.

Figs. 3 and 4 represent, in cross section in particular according to the abovementioned median plane 17, the structure of the frame 2 and sliding panel 14 according to the example of embodiment of FIG. 2.

In these figures, we find the base 6 for fixing the frame 2 on the roof 3, and the edge 5 of the frame 2 which delimits passage 4 through it. This passage 4 has two vertical end faces, 18 and 19 respectively, and two side faces, also vertical and perpendicular to the end faces, only one of these lateral faces, designated by the reference 20, appearing in these diagrams. The four sides of the ledge 5 are made using metal profiles 21, suitably assembled together.

Similarly, the two half-elements 15 and 16 which form the sliding panel 14 are formed using profiles metal 22, FIG. 3 illustrating these elements in open position where they release passage 4 and the Fig. 4 these same elements in the closed position, the passage 4 then being completely closed.

Figs. 5 and 6 show in more detail the special structure of the various chassis components considered and in particular the means which are implemented to guide the two half-elements of the panel 14 in their movements with respect to the frame 2.

Thus the vertical and lateral faces 20 of the rim 5 of the dormant 2 have in their external surfaces at passage 4, guide rollers, respectively 23 and 24, madly mounted on axes 25 and 26 carried by supports 27 and 28, themselves secured to the profile 21, these supports preferably being immobilized in grooves provided for this effect in the wall opposite this profile.

These rollers 23 and 24 are arranged to engage in runners 29 and 30 superimposed according to the height of the rim 5 of the frame 2, the slide 29 being integral with the half-element 16 and the slide 30 of the half-element 15 or vice conversely, the rollers and slides cooperating with each other so that the displacement of the two half-elements on the edge 5 of the frame 2 above the passage 4, to open or close it, is done by holding them always parallel to each other and parallel to the plane of the roof 3.

In addition, each lateral face 20 of the rim 5 comprises, housed between the rollers 23 and 24, a return pinion 31, freely rotating on an axis 32 preferably located in the median plane 17 of passage 4, this pinion being arranged to cooperate with two identical racks, respectively 33 and 34, facing each other and this effect integral with the slides 29 and 30 respectively, these racks being accordingly movable with these slides and the two half-elements 15 and 16 to which belong. The distance between two slides is therefore substantially equal to the diameter outside of the pinion.

Under these conditions, it is easily understood that, under the effect a control means (not shown in Fig. 5 and 6), but which can in particular be a jack of the kind of that illustrated under reference 10 in FIG. 1, the displacements of the two half-elements 15 and 16 which constitute the sliding panel 14, are made in permanence by causing a rapprochement or a distancing inverted of these half elements, which is always synchronous and presents the same amplitude for both.

In the closed position of passage 4, the two half-elements 15 and 16 are joined to each other in the plane median 17 of this passage and completely seal it. Advantageously, the profiles 22 which delimit these half-elements may be fitted with covering glazing beads 35 and 36, provided with seals 37, ensuring a seal satisfactory chassis closing.

In the open position, the two half-elements 15 and 16 gradually move away from each other, with movements in the opposite direction relative to the frame, these displacements being always conjugate and symmetrical one on the other from the median plane 17.

The realization of such a sliding opening frame has many advantages, including to emphasize, first of all, the permanent balance which is ensured between the two half-elements, the weight of the half-element always being balanced by that of the upper half-element which opens at the same time. To note that the force necessary to achieve this opening, that is to say the symmetrical and synchronous spacing of the two half elements, is practically zero, whatever the angle that measures the slope of the roof.

Therefore, the actuator or other means of actuating the panel sliding in two parts can be much more weakly dimensioned than in conventional solutions and results in a much lower cost.

In addition, the chassis design eliminates the need for mounting of any anti-guillotine system. At the same time, means for guiding the slides and actuating the racks to hold the two half elements separated from each other and leave open the passage to through the roof, are much simpler to design and to achieve.

Furthermore, the overflow of the sliding panel vis-à-vis of the frame, in particular upwards in the direction of the slope, being reduced by half, corresponding to that of a only of the two half-elements, it is possible to arrange this passage closer to the roof ridge, which improves the efficiency of the smoke evacuation through it.

This produces a device of simple design and of great efficiency which, however, is not exclusively limited to the intended application. Especially, the same system or equivalent could be adopted for order the opening of sliding access panels to any premises, such as between the bridge and the roof of a boat, or to make opening of ordinary roof.

It goes without saying that the invention does not limit the example more specifically described and shown; she embraces it all variants within the scope of protection demands.

Claims (8)

1. Casement with a sliding opening, comprising, on the one hand, a fixed frame (2) to be integral with the roofing (3) and to laterally delimit a passage (4) which has been provided in the latter, in particular to allow smoke to escape from the inside of a space arranged beneath the roofing to the atmosphere outside, on the other hand, an opening frame formed by a panel (14) to slide in its plane opposite the frame, parallel to the slope of the roofing above the passage to achieve, according to the relative position of this panel, the opening or the closing of the latter, characterized in that the sliding panel (14) of the opening frame is made of two identical half-elements (15 and 16) which, in the closed position of the passage, are placed side by side each other in a transverse mid-plane (17) separating the passage into two equal sections and which are set apart from each other at equal distances and are opposite relative to this plane when this passage is opened, with the displacements of the two half-elements of the panel being permanently combined and symmetrical in two-way displacements in opposite directions.
2. Casement according to claim 1, characterized in that the displacements of the two half-elements (15 and 16) of the panel (14) of the sliding opening frame are carried out using a jack or similar.
3. Casement according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the frame (2) comprises, in order to delimit the passage in the roofing, a framework (5) of rectangular shape, with two vertical lateral faces (18 and 19) to extend according to the slope of the roofing, and two other end faces (20) which are also vertical, perpendicular to the lateral faces, the frame comprising on at least one and preferably its two lateral faces, outside of the passage, guide rollers (23 and 24), cooperating with guides (29 and 30), integral respectively with the two half-elements (15 and 16) of the sliding panel (14) of the opening frame, these guides extending parallel to the slope of the roofing (3).
4. Casement according to claim 3, characterized in that the guides (29 and 30) of the two half-elements (15 and 16) each comprise a rack (33 or 34), engaged with a common transmission gear wheel (31), arranged between the guides and the axle (32) of which is carried by the lateral face of the frame (2), this gear wheel ensures the synchronized displacements in opposite directions of the two half-elements relative to the frame.
5. Casement according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the guides (29 and 30) integral with the two half-elements (15 and 16) of the sliding panel (14) of the opening frame are superposed, the racks (33 and 34) of these guides being arranged opposite each other and separated by a vertical distance equal to the diameter of the transmission gear wheel (31) carried by one of the lateral faces (20) of the frame (2).
6. Casement according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that each of the two half-elements (15 and 16) of the sliding panel (14) of the opening frame is flat and comprises a vertical return which extends parallel to the lateral face of the framework and which carries the guide of this half-element.
7. Casement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the two half-elements (15 and 16) of the sliding panel (14) of the opening frame, comprise weather strips (35 and 36) ensuring their mutual overlapping on the right of the transverse mid-plane (17) separating the passage (4) into two equal sections.
8. Casement according to claim 7, characterized in that the weather strips (35 and 36) comprise seals (37) to achieve sealing of the two half-elements (15 and 16) when they are placed side be side in the transverse mid-plane (17).

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