EP1543210A1

EP1543210A1 - Window or door structure with a cavity between the sash and frame

Info

Publication number: EP1543210A1
Application number: EP03797194A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kent Andersen; Jimmy Grotner; Peter Moller-Jensen; Torben Hundevad; Ulla Toft ÖSTERGAARD; Carl Johannes Hammer; Eirik Bjorn
Original assignee: VKR Holding AS
Current assignee: VKR Holding AS
Priority date: 2002-09-23
Filing date: 2003-09-23
Publication date: 2005-06-22
Also published as: AU2003266212A1; WO2004027195A1; PL374959A1; WO2004027193A1; WO2004027196A1; AU2003266208A1; NO20051981L; WO2004027194A1; NO20051980L; PL374991A1; EP1546502A1; EP1543212A1; EP1543211A1; PL375019A1; AU2003266209A1; AU2003266211A1; PL374992A1

Abstract

An outwardly openable window or door structure (1) comprising a frame (3) and a sash (2) provided with a plate-shaped element, such as a glass pane (4). The sash (2) comprises profiled metal elements that each has a front part (2a) and a peripheral part (2b) that extends externally around the periphery of the plate-shaped element and extent into close vicinity of the frame (3). A glazing bead (5) is provided on an inner side of the plate-shaped element and is connected to the peripheral part (2b) of the sash (2). The frame (2) is provided with a forwardly protruding flange (6) that extends into close vicinity of the plate-shaped element, and a cavity for receiving the glazing bead (5) and fittings for interconnecting the sash (2) and the frame (3) is provided between the forwardly protruding flange (6) of the frame (3) and an outer surface (8,10) of the sash (2) and/or the frame (3).

Description

Window or door structure with a cavity between the sash and frame

The invention relates to an outwardly openable window or door structure comprising a frame and a sash provided with a plate-shaped element, such as a glass pane, said sash comprising profiled metal elements, each having a front part and a peripheral part that extends externally around the periphery of the plate-shaped element and extent into close vicinity of the frame, a glazing bead being provided on an inner side of the plate-shaped element and being connected to the peripheral part of the sash.

Window and door structures must fulfil various criteria, especially in relation to insulating, such that the temperature and humidity within the building in which the window or door is mounted can be kept at substantially constant levels independently of the outside weather. Furthermore, it is important that the window or door structure provides resistance against burglary by forcing the window or door structure open. Also, in recent years the demand for window or door structures that appear visually attractive and fit quiet into the building has increased.

A window or door structure of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is known from e.g. EP-A1-0 627 539. The sash shown in this document comprises a T-shaped profile section having a vertical external profile wall, which forms the foremost portion of the frame, and an inwardly projecting flange part. The flange part projects from the external wall approximately from a centre line thereof which means that the vertical external profile wall extends beyond the location of the flange. The purpose of the vertical external profile wall is to provide an attractive outer appearance of the window and to cover all the elements that are located behind the sash, i.e. the frame, fittings, locking mechanisms, glazing beads, etc., such that these elements are not visible from the outside and are not exposed to e.g. rain. A disadvantage of the known sashes of this kind is, however, that by using appropriate tools the vertical external profile wall can be bent outwards such that access is provided to the fittings between the frame and the sash or to the latches of a locking mechanism. From a safety point of view this is highly undesirable, since a potential thief may then provide himself an opportunity to force entry to the fittings and/or the locking mechanism and further on to the interior of the building in which the window or door structure is mounted.

Another structure is shown in GB patent No.1 493 959 that in various em- bodiments shows a sash with profiled metal elements. In these embodiments the sash is either provided with an external glazing bead or with no glazing bead at all, so-called structural glazing. This means that the resistance against burglary is relatively weak, since the glass pane may be removed from the outside whereby entry into the building is provided. Another disad- vantage by these structures is that the profiled metal elements extend close to the clearing of the structure. This means that cold outdoor temperatures are transferred close to the clearing and condensation water is very likely to be created. This problem is dealt with by arranging a slot between the frame and the glass pane such that condensation water that flows down on the in- ner surface of the glass pane is drained away.

It is an object of the invention to provide a window or door structure of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph, i.e. a window or door structure with a sash comprising profiled metal elements, in which it is much more difficult to force entry to the building in which the structure is mounted. Furthermore, the structure should have a slim design with only few visible parts.

This is achieved by providing the frame with a forwardly protruding flange extending into close vicinity of the plate-shaped element, and providing a cavity for receiving a glazing bead and fittings for interconnecting the sash and the frame between the forwardly protruding flange of the frame and an outer surface of the sash and/or the frame.

Thereby is obtained that from either side, inside or outside, the sash and frame form a closed structure, and it becomes very difficult to gain access to the glazing bead and any fittings and/or locking mechanism arranged in the cavity between the sash and the frame. Furthermore, due to the creation of the cavity between the sash and the frame, the profiled metal elements of the sash is located far away from the clearing of the structure, which means that the risk of formation of condensation water on the inner surface of the plate- shaped element is substantially reduced in relation to the known structures of this kind.

In a preferred embodiment the outer surface of the sash is at least substan- tially aligned with the outer surface of the frame. Thereby is obtained a slim design of the window or door structure without facilitating access to the fittings and/or locking mechanism, since the small gap provided between the sash and the frame will most often be covered by the wall in which the window or door structure is mounted.

A weather stripping closing the gap between the sash and the frame is preferably located at a level of the outer surfaces of the sash and the frame, respectively. The weather stripping serves two purposes: it makes access to the fittings and/or locking mechanism even more difficult, and it provides sealing against entrance of wind and water from the outside and also provides an efficient noise reduction.

The weather stripping may be arranged to span and cover the gap between the sash and the frame, such that, particularly at the upper edge of the struc- ture, water is prevented from being caught in a groove between the sash and the frame. In a preferred embodiment the weather stripping is provided on the glazing bead, such that the glazing bead and the weather stripping are mounted on the sash as a single element. In this respect the glazing bead is preferably made of a plastics material, and the weather stripping is co-extruded with the glazing bead.

Inwardly at the clearing of the structure a sealing member may be connected to the forwardly protruding flange of the frame and abutting on the plate- shaped element. Alternatively, the glazing bead may be provided with a narrow flap onto which a sealing member is provided, and with the forwardly protruding flange of the frame abutting on the sealing member. In either case the sealing prevents low temperatures in the cavity to be transferred to the clearing of the structure and thereby prevents creation of condensing water on the inner surface of the plate-shaped element.

Again, the glazing bead is preferably made of a plastics material, and the sealing member is co-extruded with the glazing bead, such that these elements are mounted on the sash as a single element.

The invention will be described in detail in the following with reference to the drawings in which

Fig. 1 shows schematically a window structure according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a cross-section through a lower part of a first embodiment of the structure shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section through a lower part of a second embodiment of the structure shown in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 shows a cross-section through a lower part of a third embodiment of the structure shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5 shows a cross-section through a lower part of a fourth embodiment of the structure shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 6 shows a cross-section through a lower part of a fifth embodiment of the structure shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 7 shows a cross-section through a lower part of a sixth embodiment of the structure shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 8 shows a cross-section through a lower part of a seventh embodiment of the structure shown in Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 9 shows a cross-section through a lower part of an eighth embodiment of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 shows schematically an outwardly openable structure 1 according to the invention. The structure 1 is a window comprising a sash 2 and a frame 3 that are interconnected by hinges at the upper edge. However, the invention is not limited to this kind of structure, but is applicable in other window or door structures in which the sash is either fixedly connected to the frame or is connected to the frame by hinges located at a side edge of the structure. By way of example only, the invention will be described with reference to the structure 1 shown in Fig. 1.

The sash 2 is provided with a plate-shaped element that may be a glass pane 4 as shown if the structure 1 is a window or a glazed door. Alternatively, the plate-shaped element may be a non-transparent panel if the structure 1 is a blind window or a blind door. Fig. 2 shows schematically an enlarged view of a cross-section of a lower part of the structure 1 in a first embodiment of the invention. It is shown that the sash 3 comprises an L-shaped, profiled metal element having a front sash part 3a and a peripheral sash part 3b. The peripheral sash part 3b extends externally around the peripheral edge 7 of the glass pane 4, and it is not provided with any parts that protrude towards the clearing of the structure 1 on the inner surface 5 of the glass pane 4. The profiled metal element is shown to be solid, but it might as well be provided with cavities as it is known in the art. The glass pane 4 comprises two window glasses 4a,4b which form a double-glazing unit that is mounted in the sash 2 and supported by means of a glazing bead 5 that in accordance with the invention is provided on the interior side of the sash 2. The glazing bead 5 is preferably made of plastics, but it might as well be made of metal, wood or a composite material.

The frame 3, which may be made of wood, metal, plastics or a composite material, has a generally rectangular cross-section, but is at its upper part provided with an integrated flange 6 that protrudes towards the glass pane 4. The flange 6 is provided with a sealing member 7 that seals against the inte- rior window glass 4b of the glass pane 4.

The peripheral part 2b of the sash 2 extends into close vicinity of the frame 3. This means that only a small gap 9 is provided between the sash 2 and the frame 3. Furthermore, since the outer surface 8 of the sash 2 and the periph- eral outer surface 10 of the frame 3 are aligned it is difficult to gain access to the gap 9 when the structure 1 is mounted in an opening in a building. The gap 9 may of course be smaller than illustrated schematically in Fig. 2. In accordance with the invention a cavity 17 is provided between the forwardly protruding flange 6 of the frame 3 and the outer surface 8 of the peripheral part 2b of the sash 2, and it is shown how the glazing bead 5 is located in this cavity 17. In this manner the glazing bead is well-protected by the flange 6 and the peripheral part 2b. Furthermore, the structure can be made in a slim design with only a few visible parts.

Figs 3-9 show cross-sections through different embodiments for a structure 1 according to the invention. Since numerous elements of the structure shown in Fig. 2 can also be found in Figs 3-9 the same reference numerals are used for same parts, even if they differ in details.

Hence, Fig. 3 shows an embodiment that is very much like the embodiment shown in Fig. 2. In this embodiment the glazing bead 5 has a flap 11 extending towards the centre of the interior window glass 4b. This flap 11 forms an abutting face for the sealing member 7 which is mounted on the flange 6 of the frame 3 by means of one or more protrusions 12 engaging a groove in the flange 6. The flap 11 may, on the side facing the window glass 4b, be coloured or provided with coloured tape such that it appears quiet when the structure is seen from the outside through the glass pane 4. In a closed position of the structure the flap 11 conceals the sealing member 7 when viewed from the outside through the glass pane 4.

The sealing member 7 may also be connected to the flap 11 of the glazing bead 5 as shown in Fig. 4. In this embodiment the sealing member 7 may be co-extruded with the glazing bead 5. With a co-extruded sealing member 7 and glazing bead 5 expedient mounting of the glazing bead 5 and sealing member 7 is obtained, since both elements are mounted at the same time without any risk of missing parts. In either case the glazing bead 5 is located in the cavity 17.

Preferably, the structure comprises a weather stripping 13 arranged between the sash 2 and the frame 3 as shown in Fig. 5. In the shown embodiment the weather stripping 13 is arranged at the same level as the outer surfaces 8,10 of the sash 2 and the frame 3. The weather stripping 13 may be arranged on the frame 3 in the same manner as the sealing member 7 in Fig. 3, or it may be co-extruded with the glazing bead 5 as shown. The weather stripping 13 provides sealing against entrance of wind and water from the outside and furthermore provides an efficient noise reduction. The frame 3 shown in Fig. 5 is provided with a continuous groove 14 adapted to receive fittings and/or an opening/closing/locking mechanism (not shown) when the window or door structure 1 is in its closed position. As indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 6 the continuous groove 14 may be replaced by a number of discrete grooves 14a adapted to receive fittings of any kind. The grooves 14, 14a forms part of the cavity 17 between the sash 2 and the frame 3.

Yet another embodiment is shown in Fig. 7 which shows a structure 1 in which the gap 9 between the sash 2 and the frame 3 is wider than in the previous embodiments, whereby a larger cavity 17 is provided. A second profiled metal element 15 is mounted on the frame 3, which element 15 in the closed position of the structure spans the gap 9 between the sash 2 and the frame 3 and thereby closes the cavity 17. Preferably, the element 15 is provided with a weather stripping 13 that seals the gap 9 and provides sealing against entrance of wind and water from the outside and furthermore provides an effi- cient noise reduction. The profiled metal element 15 may be provided with grooves or rails which may be part of an opening mechanism.

Alternatively, the sash 3 and the glazing bead 5 may be provided a groove for receiving a sliding element or the like. Fig. 8 shows an example of such a structure in which the sash 2 is made of a U-shaped profiled metal element such that the glazing bead is an integrated part of the sash. The surface of the sash 2 facing the frame 3 is provided with a continuous groove 16, which also forms the cavity 17. Preferably, the profiled metal element that constitutes the sash 2 is provided with a thermal break (not shown) such that no coldness is transferred from the exterior side of the glass pane 4 to the interior side of same. Finally, Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a structure 1 in which the peripheral sash part 2b does not extend beyond the inner surface of the glass pane 4, but ends somewhere peripherally outside the outer edge of the glass pane 4. Thereby the distance from the innermost edge of the peripheral sash part 2b to the clearing of the frame 3 is larger than in the previous shown embodiment. The risk of formation of condensing water is thereby further reduced. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 the cavity 17 is not provided between the forwardly protruding flange 6 of the frame 3 and the peripheral part 2b of the sash 2 as in the previous embodiments, but rather between the forwardly protruding flange 6 of the frame 3 and an outer flange 18 of the frame 3. Fig. 9 also shows that the weather stripping 13 may be arranged to span and cover the gap 9 between the peripheral part 2b of the sash 2 and the frame 3, such that, particularly at the upper edge of the structure 1 , water is pre- vented from being caught in a groove between the sash 2 and the frame 3. Also, Fig. 9 shows that the profiled metal elements of the sash 2 may be provided with one or more cavities as it is well-known in the art. The sash 2 of the embodiments shown Figs 2-8 may of course also comprise hollow profiled metal elements.

The invention has been described with reference to different embodiments in which a glazing bead 5 is provided in the cavity 17 between the forwardly protruding flange 6 and the outer surfaces of the sash 2 and/or frame 3. No fittings have been shown in the embodiments, but a person skilled in the art can easily provide fittings, such as hinges, locking mechanisms, etc. in the cavity 17.

Claims

1. An outwardly openable window or door structure (1 ) comprising a frame (3) and a sash (2) provided with a plate-shaped element, such as a glass pane (4), said sash (2) comprising profiled metal elements, each having a front part (2a) and a peripheral part (2b) that extends externally around the periphery of the plate-shaped element and extent into close vicinity of the frame (3), a glazing bead (5) being provided on an inner side of the plate- shaped element and being connected to the peripheral part (2b) of the sash (2), characterised in that the frame (2) is provided with a forwardly protruding flange (6) extending into close vicinity of the plate-shaped element, and that a cavity for receiving the glazing bead (5) and fittings for interconnecting the sash (2) and the frame (3) is provided between the forwardly protruding flange (6) of the frame (3) and an outer surface (8,10) of the sash (2) and/or the frame (3).

2. A structure according to claim 1 , characterised in that the outer surface (8) of the sash (2) is at least substantially aligned with the outer surface (10) of the frame (3).

3. A structure according to claim 2, characterised in that a weather stripping (13) closing a gap (9) between the sash (2) and the frame (3) is located at a level of the outer surfaces (8,10) of the sash (2) and the frame (3), respectively.

4. A structure according to claim 3, characterised in that the weather stripping (13) is arranged to span and cover the gap (9) between the sash (2) and the frame (3).

5. A structure according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the weather stripping (13) is provided on the glazing bead (5).

6. A structure according to claim 5, characterised in that the glazing bead (5) is made of a plastics material, and that the weather stripping (13) is co- extruded with the glazing bead (5).

7. A structure according to any one of claims 1-6, characterised in that a sealing member (7) is connected to the forwardly protruding flange (6) of the frame (3) and abuts on the plate-shaped element.

8. A structure according to any one of claims 1-6, characterised in that the glazing bead (5) is provided with a narrow flap (11 ) onto which a sealing member (7) is provided, the forwardly protruding flange (6) of the frame (3) abutting on the sealing member (14).

9. A structure according to claim 8, characterised in that that the glazing bead (5) is made of a plastics material, and the sealing member (7) is co- extruded with the glazing bead (5).