EP1543212A1

EP1543212A1 - Window or door structure with concealed fittings

Info

Publication number: EP1543212A1
Application number: EP03797196A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Torben Hundevad; Ulla Toft Ostergaard; 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: WO2004027196A1; NO20051980L; NO20051981L; AU2003266211A1; PL374991A1; PL375019A1; AU2003266208A1; PL374992A1; WO2004027193A1; AU2003266212A1; EP1543210A1; AU2003266209A1; WO2004027195A1; EP1546502A1; PL374959A1; WO2004027194A1; EP1543211A1

Abstract

An 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) and frame (3) are hingedly interconnected by means of fittings. The sash (2) comprises profiled metal elements, and the frame (3) has at an inner side thereof a flange (6) that protrudes towards the plate-shaped element forming a recess (13) outside the flange (6). The profiled metal elements of the sash (2) do not extend inwardly on an inner side of the plate-shaped element, and the fittings for interconnecting the sash (2) and the frame (3) are arranged in the recess (13) between the flange (6) and a peripheral part (2b) of the sash (2).

Description

Window or door structure with concealed fittings

The invention relates to an openable window or door structure comprising a frame and a sash provided with a plate-shaped element, such as a glass pane, which sash and frame are hingedly interconnected by means of fittings, said sash comprising profiled metal elements, and said frame having at an inner side thereof a flange that protrudes towards the plate-shaped element forming a recess outside the flange.

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 structure of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is known from e.g. GB patent No.1 493 959 that in various embodiments shows a sash with profiled metal elements and a frame provided with a separate flange that protrude towards a glass pane mounted in the sash. 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 disadvantage by these structures is that the profiled metal elements of the sash 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 be- tween the frame and the glass pane such that condensation water that flows down on the inner surface of the glass pane is drained away.

Another structure is shown in WO 98/17887 that discloses an inwardly openable hinged window comprising a frame that is mountable in an opening in a building and a sash provided with a glass pane. The frame is provided with a flange with a sealing member that protrudes towards the glass pane in such manner that when the window is in its closed position the sealing member abuts on the glass pane. The hinges that interconnect the sash with the frame are visibly located at the inner side of the structure. Although WO 98/17887 does not disclose a locking mechanism it is stated that the window structure comprises a locking mechanism at the edge opposite the hinges. Since this window opens inwards, the locking mechanism is conventionally located between the sash and the frame with an operating handle arranged at either the sash or the frame. Thus, when the window is closed the hinges are visible from the inside of the building, and when the window is opened the parts or fittings of the locking mechanism that are mounted on the frame are fully visible from the inside of the building. Over time these parts may become dirty, e.g. due to the presence of oil or grease that causes dust to ad- here to the fittings, which gives a bad appearance of the window when seen from the inside of the building and also entails a risk of soiling the clothes, if one leans against the window frame.

It is an object of the invention to provide a window or door structure of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph in which fittings, including any parts of a locking mechanism that is mounted on the frame, are not immediately visible from the inside of the building and/or are arranged in such manner that contact therewith is not readily obtained, not even when the window or door structure is fully opened. Furthermore, the structure should have a slim design with only few visible parts and should provide strong resistance against burglary and good insulating properties. This is achieved by ensuring that the profiled metal elements of the sash does not extend inwardly on an inner side of the plate-shaped element, and that the fittings for interconnecting the sash and the frame are arranged in the recess between the flange and a peripheral part of the sash.

Thereby is obtained that the flange on the frame, which protrudes forwards, covers and at least partly conceals the fittings, including any parts of the locking mechanism that is mounted on the frame. Thus, an appealing appear- ance of the structure will be maintained even after long time use, and there is only a minimal risk of soiling the clothes even if a person leans against the window when it is partly or fully opened. Furthermore, insulating properties are achieved, since the peripheral part of the sash comprising profiled metal elements are kept at an appropriate distance from the clearing of the window or door structure.

In a preferred embodiment an outer peripheral surface of the sash is substantially aligned with an outer peripheral surface of the frame. This embodiment calls for a slim design of the window or door structure.

The peripheral part of the sash is preferably in close vicinity of the frame, such that a substantially closed space is provided between the flange and the outer peripheral part of the sash. Thereby the fittings are well-protected located in this closed space, and the maintenance thereof can be reduced to a minimum.

In order to further protect the fittings in the closed space sealing means may be arranged on either side of the space provided between the flange and the outer peripheral side of the sash and frame. The fittings may comprise a hinge that interconnects the sash and the frame, and it may comprise elements of a locking mechanism. These elements are typically provided with oil or grease, since they are adapted to interact smoothly with other elements provided on the window or door structure.

The hinge is preferably arranged to provide an initial movement of the sash substantially perpendicular to the frame, whereafter the sash is rotated about an edge that is simultaneously displaced away from an edge of the frame. This pattern of movement ensures that the peripheral part of the sash be- comes free of the inwardly protruding flange of the frame when the sash is opened.

The locking mechanism may comprise a pasquil system positioned in a glazing bead provided on the sash, while the fittings arranged in the recess of the frame comprise a latch plate. Alternatively, the locking mechanism may comprise a pasquil system positioned in a glazing bead provided on the sash, while the fittings arranged in the recess of the frame comprise an undercut tap. In either case the latch plate and the undercut tap is arranged outside the flange of the frame and are thereby concealed by the flange.

The fittings are preferably wholly or partly positioned in discrete or continuous grooves in the recess, when the structure is in its closed position.

The window or door structure according to the invention may be inwardly openable, but preferably it an outwardly openable window or door. In this case the fittings arranged in the recess outside the flange of the frame are fully concealed when viewed from the inside.

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 side portion of a first embodiment of the structure shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section through an upper part of the first embodiment of the structure shown in Fig. 1 ;

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

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

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

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

Fig. 1 shows schematically a 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 20 at either side as shown. The frame 3 has a clearing 11. 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 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 side part of the structure 1 in a first embodiment of the invention. The sash 2 comprises an L-shaped, profiled metal element having a front part 2a and a peripheral part 2b that extends externally around the periphery of the glass pane 4. The peripheral part 2b of the sash 2 does not extend inwardly on an inner side of the glass pane 4, and an appropriate distance is therefore kept to the clearing 11 , which reduces the risk of formation of condensing water on the interior side of the glass pane 4. The profiled metal elements of the sash 2 are shown as being solid; however, they may be provided as hollow profiles as it is generally 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 is supported by means of a glazing bead 5 that is provided on the interior side of the sash 2. The glazing bead 5 is preferably made of plastics and is provided with a flap 11 that extends towards the centre of the interior window glass 4b. 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. A sealing member 7 for sealing between the sash 2 and the frame 3 is connected to the glazing bead, preferably by co-extrusion. 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 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 frame 3, which may be made of wood, metal, plastics or a composite material, has a generally rectangular cross-section, but is at its innermost part provided with an integrated flange 6 that protrudes towards the glass pane 4 and abuts on the sealing member 7 when the structure 1 is closed as shown. A recess 13 is formed outside the flange 6, which recess 13 in accordance with the invention is adapted to receive fittings of different kinds as it will be described below. In the shown embodiment the peripheral sash part 2b and the an outer flange 17 provided on the frame 3 are arranged in close vicinity of each other, and a weather stripping 16 is provided therebetween. This means that a fully closed space is created between the forwardly protruding flange 6 and the outer peripheral side of the sash 2 and frame 3.

A hinge 20 is provided between the sash 2 and the frame 3. The hinge 20 comprises a plurality of rods that are rotatably interconnected and rotatably connected to the sash 2 and the frame 3.The exact structure of the hinge will not be described in detail herein. However, in accordance with the invention the hinge 20, which is one of the fittings that interconnect the sash 2 and the frame 3, is arranged in the recess 13 outside the flange 6 of the frame 3. In fact, the hinge 20 is located in the closed space described above, which means that its components are concealed as well as well-protected from dust and rain.

In the shown embodiment the rods of the hinge 20 are connected to the frame 3 and to the hollow interior of the glazing bead 5, respectively, and are secured thereto in any suitable manner. The frame hinge part 22 extends into the frame 3 and is secured thereto by means of glue and/or a by means of screws. The sash hinge part 21 and the frame hinge part 22 may of course be secured to the sash 2 and frame 3, respectively, by any other means than shown. It can be seen that the hinge 20 and thereby the frame hinge part 22, which is a fitting interconnecting the sash 2 and the frame 3, is arranged in the recess 13 outside the flange 6 of the frame 3. Fig. 3 shows a cross-section through an upper part of the structure 1 provided with a hinge 20 as schematically shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 shows three different positions of the sash 2 in relation to the frame 3 in dependence on the degree of opening of the sash 2. In the closed position the sash 2 is lo- cated as indicated by solid lines. When the sash 2 is opened, it is initially moved away from the frame 3 in a substantially perpendicular direction as indicated with the arrow A-i. Thereby the position shown with broken lines is reached. Upon further opening of the sash 2 is rotated in accordance with the arrow A₂ and is furthermore displaced downwards to the position shown with dotted lines. The disclosed movement pattern of the sash 2 is provided in order to keep the outer side of the sash 2 within the outer peripheral extent of the frame 3, such that the sash 2 can be opened without interfering with a wall or a neighbouring window structure. The hinge 20 that allows this pattern of movement will not be described in detail, since a person skilled in the art can easily provide such a hinge 20.

Figs 4-7 show cross-sections through a lower part of different embodiments for a structure 1 according to the invention. Since numerous elements of the structure shown in Figs 2 and 3 can also be found in Figs 4-7 the same ref- erence numerals are used for same parts, even if they differ in details. The sash 2 and the frame 3 of the embodiments shown in Figs 4-7 are essentially configured in the same manner as shown in Figs 2 and 3, and only the differences will generally be described.

Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of a lower part of the structure 1 at a location where an undercut tap 32 is mounted in the recess 13 outside the flange 6 of the frame 3. The undercut tap 32 is engageable with a striking plate 31 located slidable in the glazing bead 5 on the sash 2. The striking plate 31 is a part of a pasquil system and forms together with the undercut tap 32 a lock- ing mechanism between the sash 2 and the frame 3. The striking plate 31 is arranged to slide in a direction perpendicular to the paper, and the glazing bead 5 is provided with an opening 33 for receiving the undercut tap 32. The striking plate 31 and the pasquil system will not be described in further detail herein.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of a lower part of the structure 1 provided with an alternative locking mechanism. Fig. 5 shows the locking mechanism at a location where a locking latch 14 is movable between a locking position in which it protrudes from the glazing bead 5 and an unlocking position in which it is retracted into the glazing bead 5. The latch 14 is shown in it locking posi- tion and it is shown how it engages a latch plate 15, which in accordance with the invention is mounted in the recess 13 outside the flange 6 of the frame 3. The latch 14 is movable in the horizontal plane, and it is preferably hook- shaped (not shown) such that it positively engages the latch plate 15 when it is in the locking position as shown in Fig. 5. The latch plate 15 comprises an eye or the like that the hook-shaped latch 14 engages such that the sash 2 and the frame 3 are prevented from being disengaged by forcing the sash 2 horizontally outwards.

In the embodiment shown in Figs 4 and 5 a weather stripping 16 is arranged between the frame 2 and the main frame 3. The weather stripping 16 is connected to the glazing bead 5 in the same manner as the sealing member 7, i.e. by co-extruding, and in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 the frame 3 is provided with a forwardly protruding outer flange 17 that abuts on the weather stripping 16 when the sash is in its closed position as shown. The weather stripping 12 provides sealing against entrance of wind and water from the outside and furthermore provides an efficient noise reduction.

In the recess 13 of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 a continuous groove adapted to receive fittings is formed between the flange 6 and the outer flange 17. However, the continuous groove may be replaced by a number of discrete grooves 13a adapted to receive fittings of any kind as indicated by dotted lines in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6.

Another alternative configuration of the sash 2 and frame 3 is shown in Fig. 7 that shows a cross-section through a part of the structure 1 in which the recess 13 is outwardly closed by a profiled metal element 18 that is mounted on the frame 3 and in the closed position of the sash 2 spans the gab created by the recess 13 between the sash 2 and the frame 3. Preferably, the profiled metal element 18 is provided with a weather stripping 16 that seals against entrance of wind and water from the outside and furthermore provides an efficient noise reduction. The profiled metal element 18 may be provided with grooves or rails which may be part of an opening mechanism.

In the embodiments shown in Figs 6 and 7 no fittings are shown in the recess 13 of the frame 3. However, a person skilled in the art can easily realise how to incorporate different kind of fittings, such as a hinge or parts of a locking mechanism, in the recess 13.

The invention has been described with reference to a structure 1 that is an outwardly openable window. However, the invention is just as applicable in window or door structures that are inwardly openable, since fittings arranged in the recess outside the flange of the frame are still covered and at least partly concealed by the flange.

Claims

1. An 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), which sash (2) and frame (3) are hingedly interconnected by means of fittings, said sash (2) comprising profiled metal elements, and said frame (3) having at an inner side thereof a flange (6) that protrudes towards the plate- shaped element forming a recess (13) outside the flange (6), characterised in that the profiled metal elements of the sash (2) do not extend inwardly on an inner side of the plate-shaped element, and that the fittings for interconnecting the sash (2) and the frame (3) are arranged in the recess (13) between the flange (6) and a peripheral part (2b) of the sash (2).

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

3. A structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at the peripheral part (2b) of the sash (2) is in close vicinity of the frame (3), such that a substantially closed space is provided between the flange (6) and the outer peripheral part (2b) of the sash (2).

4. A structure according to claim 3, characterised in that sealing means (7,16) are arranged on either side of the space provided between the flange (6) and the outer peripheral side of the sash (2) and frame (3).

5. A structure according to any one of claims 1-4, characterised in that the fittings comprise a hinge (20) interconnecting the sash (2) and the frame (3).

6. A structure according to claim 5, characterised in that the hinge (20) is arranged to provide an initial movement of the sash (2) substantially perpen- dicular to the frame (3), whereafter the sash (2) is rotated about an edge that is simultaneously displaced away from an edge of the frame (3).

7. A structure according to any one of claims 1-6, characterised in that the fittings comprise elements of a locking mechanism.

8. A structure according to claim 7, characterised in that the locking mechanism comprises a pasquil system positioned in a glazing bead (5) provided on the sash (2), and that the fittings arranged in the recess (13) of the frame (3) comprise a latch plate (15).

9. A structure according to claim 7, characterised in that the locking mechanism comprises a pasquil system positioned in a glazing bead (5) provided on the sash (2), and that the fittings arranged in the recess (13) of the frame (3) comprise an undercut tap (32).

10. A structure according to any one of claims 1-9, characterised in that the fittings are wholly or partly positioned in discrete or continuous grooves (13a) in the recess (13), when the structure is in its closed position.

11. A structure according to any one of claims 1-10, characterised in that the structure (1) is an outwardly openable window or door.