EP1702129A1

EP1702129A1 - Casing assembly

Info

Publication number: EP1702129A1
Application number: EP04808796A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Walter Bouma; Jacobus Cornelis Antonius De Kroon; Rob Van Der Pluijm; Jan De Jong
Original assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
Current assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
Priority date: 2003-12-19
Filing date: 2004-12-17
Publication date: 2006-09-20
Also published as: NL1025091C2; WO2005059289A1

Abstract

A casing assembly provided with a frame and a post part with sealing panel connected therewith, wherein the frame comprises at least one frame part designed having a cross section bounded by, successively, a rabbet face, a stop surface, a mounting face and a front face, the rabbet face and the mounting face thereof, and the stop surface and the front face thereof being located substantially opposite each other, while positioning provisions are present for positioning, and mounting provisions are present for sealing and anchoring in a wall opening, and the post part is provided in a manner covering the front face.

Description

Title: Casing assembly

The invention relates to a casing assembly provided with a frame and a post part with sealing panel connected therewith, the frame comprising at least one frame part which is designed having a cross section bounded by, successively, a rabbet face, a stop surface, a mounting face and a front face, the rabbet face and the mounting face thereof, and the stop surface and the front face thereof being located substantially opposite each other, while positioning provisions are present for positioning, and mounting provisions for sealing and anchoring in a wall opening, as is known from, for instance, NL-C-1018124. In the Netherlands, traditionally, when building, on a building site, as a first part of a facade, one or a number of casings are placed, which are used as reference for determining the position of other parts of the faςade such as, for instance, the brickwork. As construction progresses, the casing is bricked in and, by including cramps screwed into the casing, proceeds to form a fixed and, in fact, undetachable part of the faςade. This manner of operation is accompanied by a number of drawbacks. For instance, during the entire construction process the casing placed first, in unpainted and unglazed condition, is exposed to weather influences and runs a great risk to be damaged due to other building activities to be carried out. This can shorten the lifespan of a casing, which is already shorter than that of brickwork, even more, while replacing a casing is a laborious and labour-intensive job as this is generally bricked up while utilizing cramps. Further, at various times, various persons are to carry out various operations with and to the casing, which adversely affects the coordination and costs of the building activities. These and other drawbacks, such as for instance delays caused by weather conditions during painting and glazing, have lead to the exploration of other methods in building. An option that was considered was to first erect a simple positioning frame designed as wooden frame as a reference for erecting further facade parts. Just before completion of the building, the eventual casing is mounted on and over this frame, which casing then has to be connected to the frame and the surrounding brickwork and has to be finished in a sealing manner. In particular these last operations are time consuming, complicated and critical to the end result, inter alia because connections are not always standard and therefore expensive. That is why the referred-to technique is mainly used with aluminum and wooden casings during renovation activities. A fairly recent and interesting development is a casing assembly as intended in the opening paragraph, also known under the brand name Kapla. When using such a casing construction, in the initial phase of building, use is made of a temporary window, temporarily connected to the inner leaf of a cavity wall. Here, the inner leaf projects over a particular distance, for instance between 30 and 35 mm, preferably 32, relative to the outer leaf and in the cavity an angle steel is attached on the inner leaf. Just before completion of the building, the temporary window is removed, whereupon a completely painted and glazed Kapla casing is placed. Here, the casing assembly is slid from the outside into the respective wall opening until the stop surface abuts against the inner leaf of the cavity wall. Then, the casing assembly with the positioning provisions is positioned in the correct, desired position relative to the respective wall opening and fixedly connected to the angle steel, while between the frame part and the inside end face of the outer leaf of the cavity wall an open crack of a few millimeters, for instance 5 to 6 mm, remains. The object of the invention is to design a casing assembly with the advantages of a Kapla casing such that, furthermore, this becomes even more maintenance-friendly and saves even more energy. According to the invention, this is achieved with a casing assembly of the type described in the opening paragraph when the post part is in surface-to-surface abutment with the front face and thus completely covers the front face. Due to this measure, less casing surface is exposed directly to weather influences, which leads to less maintenance being required and less energy loss via the casing. These special advantages can be obtained through optimal use of the special casing construction having, in mounted condition, a crack remaining open between the frame part and the inside end face of the outer leaf of the cavity wall, which crack enables the post part to completely cover the frame part. With this, the casing assembly has obtained a layered structure, so that it becomes possible too, to accommodate all vulnerable and expensive parts in one of the layers. Such a layered structure is particularly advantageous with a casing assembly whose frame part is manufactured from a material that is rather sensitive to deterioration, such as timber. In order to realise optimal possibilities for positioning and also, while keeping the crack as limited as possible and maintaining a complete covering, create the possibility of mounting the post part pivotally relative to the frame, it is preferred according to a further embodiment of the invention, that a part of the mounting face contiguous to the front face extends substantially perpendicularly to the front face and that the post part has a boundary surface which is located in the same plane as the intended part of the mounting face. In case the post part is provided with a glass panel, the casing assembly can be designed to be even less susceptible to maintenance, when, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, a face of the post part situated opposite a face covering the front face of the frame part, is covered by a protective element such as, for instance, a cover slat manufactured from timber so that in addition to the glass panel, only this cover element is exposed to weather influences. Such an extension of the layered structure of the casing assembly does not only signify less necessary maintenance, but also increases the lifespan of the casing assembly. The fact is that when the protective element is manufactured from a material that is not or little sensitive to deterioration, the lower parts from material that is sensitive to deterioration are effectively screened off, while when it is preferred that the protective element is manufactured from a more sensitive material, only this is to be replaced in due course which, owing to the positioning of this element, can be realized rapidly and simply. According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the protective element forms part of the sealing panel. If the sealing panel is a glass panel, this means that only a glass surface is exposed to weather influences, thereby further reducing the need for maintenance and further increasing the lifespan. In case the sealing panel is a double glass pane, this can, for instance be simply realised by designing the outer glass panel of the double glass pane to project relative to the inner glass panel. If the intention is to realize a casement window or French doors with the casing assembly, this can be effected when the post part is hingedly joined to the frame. A construction that cannot be opened can be obtained if the post part is fixedly connected to the frame. Although the connection and covering of the post part on the front face of the frame part can be realized in a rehable, sealing manner with means suitable thereto, according to a further embodiment of the invention it can be preferred that the front face is of stepped design, so that a rabbet is formed and the post part is of corresponding stepped design and can engage the rabbet. Stepped is then understood to mean staggered in any form, so that the contact surface between the front face and the post part proceeds in a manner deviating from a straight plane. The principle of the layered structure of the casing assembly can be further elaborated and advantages associated therewith can be developed further when on the frame part, along the rabbet face, a cover element is provided extending from the front face beyond the stop surface. The frame part and positioning and attachment provisions accommodated therein can then also be completely covered on the inside and be hidden from view. Naturally, a cover element as intended can have any shape and any desired width, i.e. extend over the entire width of the end face of the inner leaf and, if desired, cover the corner to the inner surface of the inner leaf. With reference to embodiments represented the drawings, albeit exclusively as non-limitative examples, the casing assembly according to the invention will be further elucidated. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows in perspective view, a first embodiment; and Fig. 2 shows, in cross-sectional view, a second embodiment. In Fig. 1, a cavity wall is represented, composed of an inner leaf 2, a cavity 3 and an outer leaf 4. In the cavity 3, located against the inner leaf 2, an insulating layer 5 is provided. In the cavity wall 1, a wall opening 6 is situated for including a window, door and the like. This wall opening 6 is created by placing, at the start of the building activities, a simple timber positioning frame, no longer present in the drawing, with the dimensions of the wall opening 6 to be created, which positioning frame serves as reference for the cavity wall 1 with wall opening 6 to be realized. The cavity wall 1 is then designed such that the inner leaf 2 reaches further into the wall opening 6 over a distance of 32 mm than the outer leaf 4, while this part of the inner leaf 2 reaching further into the wall opening 6 is not covered by the insulating layer 5. Between the insulating layer 5 and the inner leaf 2 one leg of an angle steel 7 is situated, its other leg extending perpendicularly to the inner leaf 2 and covering the end of the insulating layer 5 in a manner such that the outer face of this leg is located in the same plane as an end face of the outer leaf 4 bounding the wall opening 6. The angle steel 7 is fixedly connected (in a manner not shown) with the inner leaf 2. Prior to mounting the final casing, the above-mentioned positioning frame is removed from the wall opening 6. After this, a casing assembly, generally indicated with 8 and comprising a frame, of which a frame part 9 forms part, and a post part 10, is slid in its entirety into the wall opening 6. It is noted here that the frame can be of one-piece design or, conversely, be composed of a number of frame parts such as post members and threshold/lintel members, while these constituent parts in themselves can be composed of a number of elements. Further, it will be clear that in order to carry out this sliding operation, the outer circumference of the casing assembly is to be smaller than the inner circumference of the wall opening 6 at the location of the outer leaf 4 of the cavity wall 1. Further, the dimensioning of the casing assembly is chosen such that when it is slid into the wall opening 6, it strikes against the inner leaf 2 of the cavity wall 1. The frame part 9 is provided with a rabbet face 9a, a stop surface 9b, a mounting face 9c and a front face 9d. In the frame part 9, distributed over its length, a number of positioning bushes 11 are included, which are accommodated in through-bores 12 extending from the rabbet face 9a as far as the mounting face 9c. The positioning bushes 11 are designed as hollow tubes provided on their outer surface with a sort of screw thread thickening, while at least a part of the inner circumference has, in cross-section, a hexagonal shape that can cooperate with a hollow head socket wrench. Further, the frame part 9 is provided, starting from the mounting surface 9c, with a sealing section 13 that can sealingly abut against the insulating layer 5 and thus closes off an optional crack between the insulating layer 5 and the frame part 9, yet remains clear of the inner side of the outer leaf 4. A the location of the stop face 9b, the frame part 9 is provided with a sealing strip 14, sealingly closing an optional crack between the frame part 9 and the inner leaf 2. The post part 10 is provided with a rabbet 10a for receiving a seahng panel such as a double glass sheet. The post part 10 is provided such that this covers the entire front face 9d of the frame part 9 in an abutting manner and thus secures against weather influences. In its turn, the post part 10 is guarded from direct weather influences by a protection element in the form of a cover slat 16. As already stated, the casing assembly 8 is slid in its entirety into the wall opening 6. The post part 10 can then be fixedly connected to the frame part 9 or hingedly, like a window or door. After sliding the casing assembly 8 in until it stops against the inner leaf 2, the casing assembly 8 is positioned relative to the wall opening 6 with the aid of positioning bushes 11, which, to that end, are screwed with a hollow head socket wrench from the frame part 9 until they stops against the angle steel 7. Here, the casing assembly 8 is dimensioned such that with a central positioning in a wall opening 6, a crack of 6 mm is present between the frame part 9 and the angle steel 7 and hence also between the post part 10 and the outer leaf 4. Such a crack is sufficient for sliding the casing assembly 8 into the wall opening 6 without problems and, in case of a hinging post part 10, for allowing this to pivot from the wall opening 6 in the manner of a window or door. After the casing assembly 8 has been positioned in the desired position, via the hollow positioning bushes 11, after or not after a preprocessing operation such as drilling a hole in the angle steel 7, attachment means such as self-tapping screws are provided for fixing and securing the casing assembly in this pre-set position. As a finish, a covering element 17, indicated in Fig. 1 with a dotted line, can be provided over at least a part of the rabbet face 9a, the seahng strip 14 and at least a part of the end face of the inner leaf. In Fig. 2, in cross section, an embodiment is represented, modified with respect to Fig. 1 as to a number of details, in which identical elements are indicated with the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, it is indicated how, in the manner as described with Fig. 1, the casing assembly 8 can be secured with the aid of a screw 18 which reaches through a positioning bush 11 and connects the casing assembly 8 with the angle steel 7, which, in its turn, is attached to the inner leaf 2. A further modification resides in the omission of the cover slat 16, while here, the post part 1 is guarded from weather influences by lengthening the outer panel of the double glass sheet 15, so that this lengthened outer panel completely covers and protects the front surface of the post part. Further, the front face of the frame part 9 is of stepped design and a complementary shape has been provided in the post part 10. With this, the sealing between the frame part 9 and the post part 10 can be improved, in particular when the post part 10 is arranged in the manner of a window or door, so that it can be pivoted open. It is noted that the represented design of the rabbet is only one of many designs possible in casing construction and that this can be modified and enlarged in many manners. Fig. 2 further shows the cover element 17, hiding the bore 12, the positioning bush 11, the screw 18, the seahng strip 14 and hence the transition between the frame part 9 and the inner leaf 2 from view. If desired, the cover element 17 can be designed to be wider and extend around the corner of the inner leaf 2. It has already been stated that a casing assembly is provided with a frame comprising at least one frame part. Often, the frame of such a casing assembly comprises two post members and two threshold/lintel members, together forming a rectangular framework. Such construction parts are understood to be so generally known that explicit showing and further discussion thereof has been omitted. Additionally, it is however stated that not all frame parts need to contain positioning means. For instance, for a doorhead these can often be omitted. Further, also, positioning means can be considered which are adjustable in the one frame part and fixedly arranged in a different frame part opposite the first frame part. Further, it is self-evident that within the framework of the invention as laid down in the accompanying claims, many further modifications and variants are possible. If desired, for instance frame part and post part can be composed of several elements or form part of one composite facade that can be provided with windows, doors and fixed panels such as glass sheets. As an example, a rectangular frame manufactured from four parts is mentioned. Naturally, this frame can have any other desired form. Further, the frame parts and the post parts can be manufactured from any suitable material such as timber, aluminum, steel and plastic. Fixing the casing assembly on the inner leaf of the cavity wall is possible in any other suitable manner than with the angle steel and screws shown.

Claims

1. A casing assembly provided with a frame and a post part with seahng panel connected therewith, wherein the frame comprises at least one frame part designed having a cross section bounded by, successively, a rabbet face, a stop surface, a mounting face and a front face, the rabbet face and the mounting face thereof, and the stop surface and the front face thereof being located substantially opposite each other, while positioning provisions are present for positioning, and mounting provisions for sealing and anchoring in a wall opening, characterized in that the frame part is in surface-to-surface abutment with the front face and thus completely covers the front face.

2. A casing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that a part of the mounting face contiguous to the front face extends substantially perpendicularly to the front face and that the post part has a boundary surface which is located in the same plane as the said part of the mounting face.

3. A casing assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a face of the post part situated opposite a face covering the front face of the frame part is covered by a protective element.

4. A casing assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the protective element is a cover slat.

5. A casing assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the protective element forms part of the seahng panel.

6. A casing element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the post part is hingedly connected to the frame.

7. A casing assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the post part is fixedly connected to the frame.

8. A casing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front surface is of stepped design, so that a rabbet is formed, and the post part is of corresponding, stepped design and can engage the rabbet.

9. A casing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the frame part, along the rabbet surface, a cover element is provided extending from the front face beyond the stop surface.