EP1546502A1

EP1546502A1 - Window or door structure

Info

Publication number: EP1546502A1
Application number: EP03797193A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kent Andersen; Jimmy Gr Tner; Peter M Ller-Jensen; Torben Hundevad; Ulla Toft Stergaard; Carl Johannes Hammer; Eirik Bj Rn
Original assignee: VKR Holding AS
Current assignee: VKR Holding AS
Priority date: 2002-09-23
Filing date: 2003-09-23
Publication date: 2005-06-29
Also published as: EP1543210A1; EP1543212A1; AU2003266209A1; PL374991A1; NO20051981L; AU2003266208A1; NO20051980L; EP1543211A1; AU2003266211A1; PL375019A1; WO2004027196A1; WO2004027195A1; PL374992A1; WO2004027193A1; AU2003266212A1; PL374959A1; WO2004027194A1

Abstract

A window or door structure (1) comprising an inner frame (2) having a clearing (11), and an outer sash (3) comprising a plate-shaped element, such as a glass pane (4), with an inner surface (5) and an outer surface (6). The sash (3) comprises profiled metal elements having a peripheral sash part (3b) extending at least around the peripheral edge (7) of the glass pane (4) and a low heat-conducting glazing bead (15) supporting the inner surface (5) of the plate-shaped element. The frame (2) is provided with a forwardly protruding flange (12) that forms a recess (13) outside the flange (12), which recess (13) receives the low heat-conducting glazing bead (15) of the sash (3).

Description

Window or door structure

The invention relates to a window or door structure comprising an inner frame having a clearing, and an outer sash comprising a plate-shaped element, such as a glass pane, with an inner surface and an outer surface and comprising profiled metal elements having a peripheral sash part extending at least around the peripheral edge of the glass pane and a low heat- conducting glazing bead supporting the inner surface of the plate-shaped element.

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 profiled metal element having a vertical external profile wall, which forms the foremost portion of the sash, and an inwardly projecting flange part which extends around the periphery of the glass pane. At the inner end of the inwardly projecting flange a glazing bead that protrudes towards the clearing is arranged. The frame abuts on a sealing provided on the glazing bead, when the window or door structure is in its closed position.

In order to minimize the risk of transferring low outdoor temperature to the inside by forming a heat bridge, the glazing bead is made of a low heat- conducting material, such as plastics. The high heat-conducting part of the sash, i.e. the profiled metal element, is thereby insulated from the clearing and the risk of transferring low outdoor temperature to the inside is reduced. However, since the innermost edge of the profiled metal element is located relatively close to the clearing as defined by the inner surface of the frame, there is still a risk that condensation water may be created on the inner surface of the glass pane, the sash and the glazing bead if the outdoor temperature is substantially lower than the indoor temperature. The crucial factor for the creation of condensation water on the inside of the structure is the distance from the innermost portion of the profiled metal elements, which sub- stantially adapt the outdoor temperature, to the clearing as defined by the inner surface of the frame.

Another structure is shown in GB patent No.1 493 959 that shows a window structure in which there is arranged a slot between a forwardly protruding flange on the frame and the glass pane such that condensation water that flows down on the inner surface of the glass pane is drained away. This structure also has the disadvantage that a cold area is provided near the clearing at the inner surface of the frame and condensation water is very likely to be created. Additionally, which is important in relation to modern window and door structures, the glass pane is either secured to the sash by means of an outer glazing bead or solely at its peripheral edge. This means that the resistance against burglary is limited since the glass pane may be removed from the outside and entry to the building is provided.

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 and with an inner glazing bead, in which the risk of formation of condensation water on the inner surface of the glass pane is substantially reduced in relation to the known structures of this kind. Furthermore, the structure should have a slim design with only few visible parts and should provide strong resistance against burglary. This is achieved by providing the frame with a forwardly protruding flange that forms a recess outside the flange, which recess receives the low heat- conducting glazing bead of the sash.

By arranging the frame in this manner is achieved that the profiled metal elements of the sash are located far away from the clearing, and the risk of formation of condensation water is considerably reduced compared to known window and door structures comprising a sash with profiled metal elements. Furthermore, by arranging the frame in this manner the glazing bead is concealed by the forwardly protruding flange on the frame. Thus, the glazing bead cannot be seen from the clearing, which is advantageous from a design point of view, since a much more clean-cut design than previously known is achieved.

Experience has shown that good properties in relation to preventing formation of condensing water on the inner surface of the plate-shaped element are obtained if a distance from an innermost edge of the peripheral sash part to the clearing of the frame is larger than about 25 mm. Thereby any low te- mperature of the sash are substantially not transferred to the clearing.

In a preferred embodiment the profiled metal elements of the sash have a front sash part that supports the outer surface of the plate-shaped element. This feature entails a safe and strong support of the plate-shaped element in the sash, and since the glazing bead is provided at the inner surface of the plate-shaped element, it is almost impossible to remove the plate-shaped element from the outside.

In a first embodiment a sealing member is connected to the forwardly pro- truding flange of the frame and abuts on the inner surface of the plate- shaped element. This calls for a very clean-cut design of the structure, but has the disadvantage that a pressure is applied directly to the glass pane entailing a risk of breakage.

In another preferred embodiment the glazing bead is provided with a narrow flap that extends towards the clearing onto which flap a sealing member is secured, the forwardly protruding flange of the frame abutting on the sealing member. This ensures that only the glazing bead can be seen from the outside, when the plate-shaped element is a glass pane, whereby a quiet structure is achieved.

Preferably the glazing bead is made of a plastics material and that the sealing member is co-extruded with the glazing bead. This feature entails expedient mounting of the glazing bead and sealing member, since both elements can be mounted at the same time without any risk of missing parts.

In a preferred embodiment an outer surface of the sash is at least substantially aligned with an outer surface of the frame. Thereby a very slim design of the window or door structure can be obtained.

Furthermore, the peripheral sash part and the frame are preferably in close vicinity with each other, such that the outer peripheral edge of the window or door structure is closed and entry to the glazing bead and any fittings is prevented.

A weather stripping may be arranged between the peripheral sash part and the frame, such that sealing against entrance of wind and water from the outside is provided. The weather stripping also provides an efficient noise reduction. The weather stripping may be co-extruded with the glazing bead.

Finally, the recess may be provided with at least one groove for receiving fittings for interconnecting the sash and the frame. 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 ; and

Fig. 8 shows a cross-section through a lower part of a seventh 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 frame 2 that defines a clearing 11 and a sash 3 that are interconnected by hinges at the upper edge. The sash 3 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. The structure 1 is shown partly open. However, the invention is not limited to this kind of structure, but is applicable in other window or door structures in which the sash 3 is either fixedly connected to the frame 2 or is connected to the frame 2 by hinges located at a side edge of the structure 1. By way of example only, the invention will be described with reference to the structure 1 shown in Fig. 1.

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 11 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 3 and supported by means of a glaz- ing bead 15 that is provided on the interior side of the sash 3. In accordance with the invention the glazing bead 15 is made of a low heat-conductive material, such as plastics, wood or a composite material.

The frame 2, which preferably is made of wood or another low heat- conducting material, is along the clearing 11 provided with an integrated flange 12 that protrude towards the glass pane 4. On the side of the flange

12 opposite the clearing 11 a recess 13 is provided. It is shown how the glazing bead 15 and a part of the peripheral sash part 3b is located in the recess

13 of the frame 2, and these parts can therefore not be seen from the clear- ing 11. The glass pane 4 has a larger extent than the clearing 11 , and on the surface of the flange 12 that faces the glass pane 4 a sealing member 14 is arranged. The sealing member 14 is preferably made of a suitable rubber material and may be glued to the flange 12. By arranging the sealing member 14 at this place immediately adjacent the clearing 11 and far away from the profiled metal elements of the sash 3, a particular expedient sealing is obtained, since the inner surface 5 of the glass pane 4 has a constant temperature all over right to the sealing member 14. Thereby the risk of formation of condensing water at the inner surface 5 of the glass pane 4 is substantially re- duced or even eliminated. It has been realized that good properties in relation to preventing formation of condensing water on the inner surface 5 of the glass pane 4 are obtained if the distance A from the innermost edge 23 of the peripheral sash part 3b to the sealing member 14, and thereby to the clearing, is larger than about 25 mm.

Fig. 2 also shows that the incoming light through the glass pane 4 is as large as possible and that the outer surface 21 of the sash 3 is aligned with the outer surface 22 of the frame 2. This entails that it is possible to obtain a very slim design of the sash 3 and frame 2 with only a few parts being visible when seen from either the outside or the inside of the building in which the structure 1 is mounted. Furthermore, since the glazing bead 15 is positioned at the side of the sash 3 that faces the frame 2 and is covered by the peripheral part 3b of the sash 3 it is impossible to remove the glazing bead 15 and force entry into the building in which the structure 1 is mounted. These fea- tures are also found in the embodiments shown in Figs 3-8 that show cross- sections through different embodiments of a structure 1 according to the invention. Since numerous elements of the structure 1 shown in Fig. 2 can also be found in Figs 3-8 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 15 has a flap 16 extending towards the clearing 11 along the inner surface 5 of the glass pane 4. This flap 11 forms an abutting face for the sealing member 14 which is mounted on the flange 12 of the frame 2 by means of one or more protrusions 17 engaging a groove in the flange 12. The flap 16 may, on the side facing the glass pane 4, 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 1 the flap 16 conceals the sealing member 14 when viewed from the outside through the glass pane 4.

The sealing member 14 may also be connected to the flap 16 of the glazing bead 15 as shown in Fig. 4. In this embodiment the sealing member 14 may be co-extruded with the glazing bead 15. With a co-extruded sealing member 14 and glazing bead 15 expedient mounting of the glazing bead 15 and sealing member 14 is obtained, since both elements can be mounted at the same time without any risk of missing parts.

Preferably, the structure comprises a weather stripping 18 arranged between the sash 3 and the frame 2 as shown in Fig. 5. In the shown embodiment the weather stripping 18 is arranged between the peripheral sash part 3b and a protrusion 19 provided at peripheral side of the frame 2. The weather stripping 18 may be arranged on the frame 2 in the same manner as the sealing member 14 shown in Fig. 3, or it may be co-extruded with the glazing bead 15 as shown. The weather stripping 18 provides sealing against entrance of wind and water from the outside and furthermore provides an efficient noise reduction. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 the recess 13 of the frame 2 forms a continuous groove adapted to receive fittings and/or an opening/closing/locking mechanism (not shown) when the window or door struc- ture 1 is in its closed position. As indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 6 the con- tinuous groove may be replaced by a number of discrete grooves 13a provided in the recess 13 and being adapted to receive fittings of any kind.

Yet another embodiment is shown in Fig. 7 which shows a structure 1 in which the gap between the sash 3 and the frame 2 created by the recess 13 outside the flange 12 of the frame 2 is outwardly closed by means of a second profiled metal element 20 that is mounted on the frame 3 in the recess 13. The element 20 is provided with a weather stripping 18 that seals the gap between the sash 3 and the frame 2 and provides sealing against entrance of wind and water from the outside and furthermore provides an efficient noise reduction. The profiled metal element 20 may be provided with grooves or rails which may be part of an opening mechanism.

Finally, Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a structure 1 in which the peripheral sash part 3b does not extend beyond the inner surface 5 of the glass pane 4, but ends somewhere peripherally outside the outer edge 7 of the glass pane 4. Thereby the distance A from the innermost edge 23 of the peripheral sash part 3b to the clearing 11 of the frame 2 becomes larger than in the previous shown embodiment. The risk of formation of condensing water is thereby fur- ther reduced. Fig. 8 also shows that the profiled metal elements of the sash 3 may be provided with one or more cavities as it is well-known in the art. The sash 3 of the embodiments shown Figs 2-7 may of course also comprise hollow profiled metal elements.

The invention has been described with reference to schematically shown different embodiments. A person skilled in the art can easily put these schematically shown embodiments into practice with a more detailed structure of the sash, the glazing bead, the frame, etc.

Claims

1. A window or door structure (1) comprising an inner frame (2) having a clearing (11), and an outer sash (3) comprising a plate-shaped element, such as a glass pane (4), with an inner surface (5) and an outer surface (6) and comprising profiled metal elements having a peripheral sash part (3b) extending at least around the peripheral edge (7) of the glass pane (4) and a low heat-conducting glazing bead (15) supporting the inner surface (5) of the plate-shaped element, characterised in that the frame (2) is provided with a forwardly protruding flange (12) that forms a recess (13) outside the flange (12), which recess (13) receives the low heat-conducting glazing bead (15) of the sash (3).

2. A structure according to claim 1 , characterised in that a distance (A) from an innermost edge of the peripheral sash part (3b) to the clearing (11) of the frame (2) is larger than about 25 mm.

3. A structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the profiled metal elements of the sash (3) have a front sash part (3a) that supports the outer surface (6) of the plate-shaped element.

4. A structure according to any one of claims 1-3, characterised in that a sealing member (14) is connected to the forwardly protruding flange (12) of the frame (2) and abuts on the inner surface (5) of the plate-shaped element.

5. A structure according to any one of claims 1-3, characterised in that the glazing bead (15) is provided with a narrow flap (16) that extends towards the clearing (11) onto which flap (16) a sealing member (14) is secured, the forwardly protruding flange (12) of the frame (2) abutting on the sealing member (14).

6. A structure according to claim 5, characterised in that the glazing bead (15) is made of a plastics material and that the sealing member (14) is co- extruded with the glazing bead (15).

7. A structure according to any one of claims 1-6, characterised in that an outer surface (21) of the sash (3) is at least substantially aligned with an outer surface (22) of the frame (2).

8. A structure according to any one of claims 1-7, characterised in that the peripheral sash part (3b) and the frame (2) are in close vicinity with each other.

9. A structure according to claim 8, characterised in that a weather stripping (18) is arranged between the peripheral sash part (3b) and the frame (2).

10. A structure according to claim 9, characterised in that the weather stripping (18) is co-extruded with the glazing bead (15).

11. A structure according to any one of claims 1-10, characterised in that the recess (13) is provided with at least one groove (13a) for receiving fittings for interconnecting the sash (2) and the frame (2).