EP2231977B1

EP2231977B1 - A window, a method for mounting a window, and a window including a set of parts

Info

Publication number: EP2231977B1
Application number: EP07846450.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bent Kirk Jensen
Original assignee: VKR Holding AS
Current assignee: VKR Holding AS
Priority date: 2007-12-19
Filing date: 2007-12-19
Publication date: 2017-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2027-12-19
Also published as: PL2231977T3; CN101827991B; EP2231977A1; WO2009076950A1; CN101827991A

Description

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a window according to the introductory part of claim 1.
Windows often need to be able to be opened to provide ventilation of air, heat or smoke. If a window is positioned in a sloping or flat roof, it is sometimes desired to provide assisting means in order to open the window. This may be the case if the window is large or heavy.
A typical assisting means takes the form of two gas springs, one positioned on each side of the window, each connecting a side frame member with a side sash member. The gas springs provide a spring force pushing the respective frame and sash members away from each other and thus forcing the window towards an open position. To close the window it is necessary to manually or automatically, for example by means of a chain operator, pull the window sash towards the window frame. When the window is closed, the gas springs lie substantially parallel to the frame and sash; when the window is open, the springs pivot outwards from both the respective frame and sash members.
Each gas spring is typically secured to both of the respective frame and sash members from the factory manufacture to ensure that they are positioned properly. This means that the window frame and window sash are delivered connected to each other, resulting in a heavy structure, which is difficult to handle during mounting, especially when mounting the window from the roof side. Further, it is difficult to carry out maintenance, such as changing the chain operator, from the roof side because the gas springs must be detached from at least one of the sash and frame in order to open the window enough to provide access to the lower side of the window. After maintenance the springs must be reattached in their original positions.
Another problem connected to such gas spring assisted windows is that the gas springs will provide a combined force pushing the frame and sash in different directions in the plane of the window when the window is closed. A similar, but smaller force is also present in the open state of the window. This force is often so strong that the frame and sash over time will be offset in relation to each other, i.e. in the closed state of the window the visible distance between frame and sash at the top will be smaller or larger than at the bottom, depending on how the gas springs are positioned. Other deformations typically also occur because of generally low stiffness of the frame and sash profiles. These deformations provide a non-uniform and thus unpleasing appearance of the window, and seals or gaskets at the top, bottom or sides of the window are likely to not be completely tight.
An example of a window mounted with gas springs connecting side frame and sash members is disclosed in European patent no. 972 885 B1 .
DE2826777A1 discloses a skylight for a caravan, lifted on swinging arms has its frame made up of hollow bars joined at the end to form a rectangular box as in the main patent. The top part or lid has a frame made from hollow bars, supporting the covering pane. The pane can be carried by resilient lengthways battens in the frame members pref. in one piece with the frame. The adjusting arms can be fastened to the frame by connections. This means that two rigid frames made from hollow profiles are used in the whole assembly, providing ready adaptation to varying needs or preferences.
DE3835018A1 specifies a vehicle roof having a roof opening in a fixed roof surface, which is intended in particular for lorries or the like. This roof opening can be opened and closed by means of a panel. The panel is preloaded in the opening direction and the operating mechanism, which is connected to the panel, is accommodated in a longitudinal member which runs in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and is connected releasably to a frame inserted into the roof opening. The frame opening here may be used in the event of an emergency without hindrance as an emergency exit hatch when the releasable connection of the longitudinal member and frame has been disengaged, since then the panel, together with the longitudinal member and the operating mechanism provided there, is ejected in a power-assisted manner in the opening direction.
In the light of the above it is the object of the first aspect of the present invention to provide a window of the type as mentioned in the introduction, which has a more pleasing appearance and is tighter.
To meet this object the window according to the present invention is characterized by the characterizing features of claim 1.
With the window according to the first aspect of the invention the compression springs are thus arranged such as to lessen or completely neutralize any force not working to push the frame and sash away from each other. Hereby, the frame and sash will less likely be offset in relation to each other over time, and the visible distance between frame and sash at the top and at the bottom in the closed state of the window will remain substantially the same. Since the compression springs are furthermore arranged on the same side of the window, they are closer to each other, cancelling out a major part of the deformations of the window. A more uniform and pleasing appearance of the window is thus provided, and seals or gaskets at the top, bottom and sides of the window will be tighter.
In an advantageous embodiment said compression springs are adapted to also pivot towards or away from said bottom sash and frame members during pivoting between said open and closed positions. During opening and closing of the window, the top frame and sash members will be somewhat offset from each other also in a direction of a plane of the closed window. In this embodiment the compression springs will be arranged to adapt to this offsetting.
In another embodiment a drive means, such as a chain operator, connects said top sash member to said top frame member, one of said compression springs being positioned on each side of said drive means. Sections of the sash and frame on which the chain operator is secured will be stiffer, and since the spring forces will be concentrated near these sections, less deformation of the sash and frame profiles will occur. Said window sash and said window frame each comprises bearing members for receiving respective heads of said compression springs, at least one head of each compression spring being embedded in a respective bearing member such as to be rotatable in relation to and releasable from said bearing member. At least one head being rotatable in relation to a respective bearing member provides that the compression springs are able to follow the pivoting towards or away from each other as well as any offsetting of the frame and sash in relation to each other. At least one head being releasable from the bearing member provides the possibility of transporting and mounting the frame and sash separately. Further, since the compression springs are both positioned at the top of the window, a single person will be able to separate and assemble the frame and sash during mounting and maintenance of the window. In a development of this embodiment at least one head of at least one of said compression springs is formed as a ball-like, preferably hemispherical joint. According to the invention each bearing member, in which one head of a respective said compression spring is releasably embedded, comprises a tray, which is oblong in a direction parallel to said top frame and sash members such that each freely and releasably embedded spring head is slidable in said bearing member in said direction. This provides for easier and more functional installation and operation.
In another preferred embodiment said window further comprises a reinforcement member, preferably in the form of an oblong metallic rail, connecting points of attack of said compression springs on said window frame and/or sash, respectively, such as to absorb horizontal force components exerted by the compression springs on said window frame and/or window sash. Hereby, horizontal force components are absorbed by the metallic rail, the often less strong profile of the frame and/or sash being relieved of the load.
In a second aspect the invention relates to a method of mounting a window according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising the steps of: providing a top, a bottom and two side sash members defining a window sash, a top, a bottom and two side frame members defining a window frame, said bottom sash member being pivotally connected to said bottom frame member by means of a pivot hinge defining a pivot axis; providing at least two compression springs, such as gas springs, each having two heads; and connecting said top sash member to said top frame member by means of said compression springs such as to provide a spring force on said window sash towards an open position, by positioning said compression springs such as to be pivotable in directions towards or away from each other during pivoting of said window sash in relation to said window frame between said open and a closed position of said window.
The second aspect of the invention provides advantages similar to those of the first aspect as described above.
In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the method further comprises the step of providing a drive means, such as a chain operator, and connecting said window sash to said window frame by means of said drive means for pivoting said window sash in relation to said window frame between said open and closed positions of said window.
In another preferred embodiment the method further comprises the step of embedding at least one head of each said compression spring in a respective bearing member such as to be slidable, rotatable in relation to and/or releasable from said bearing member.
In a third aspect the invention relates to a window according to the first aspect of the invention including a set of parts for spring-loading a window sash in relation to a window frame of a window, comprising a compression spring, such as a gas spring; and a bearing member adapted for attachment to said window sash and said window frame, respectively, for receiving a head of said compression spring, characterized in that said bearing member is provided with an oblong tray; and at least one of said heads of said compression spring is formed as a ball-like, preferably hemispherical joint adapted to be releasably, slidably and preferably rotatably embedded in said oblong tray of said bearing member. The set of parts according to the third aspect of the invention provides advantages similar to those described in connection with the first aspect of the invention. The set of parts further is easily assembled and provides for great mobility and flexibility.
In a preferred embodiment of the set of parts according to the third aspect of the invention comprises two bearing members, both bearing members being provided with respective oblong trays, and both heads of said compression spring being formed as ball-like, preferably hemispherical joints adapted to be releasably and slidably embedded in said respective oblong trays of said bearing members.
In another preferred embodiment the set of parts further comprises a protection member secured to said bearing member and comprising a projection abutting said compression spring in an assembled state of said set of parts such as to hinder said compression spring from being released from said bearing member. Hereby, accidents during mounting or maintenance of the window are prevented because the compression spring will not be able to exit the bearing member.
In another embodiment said set of parts further comprises a further, like compression spring, a frame unit with a chain operator and two said bearing members and a sash unit with two said bearing members. Preferably said frame unit and/or said sash unit connect points of attack of said compression springs on said window frame and/or sash, respectively, such as to absorb horizontal force components exerted by said compression springs on said window frame and/or window sash. With these features the set of parts according to the third aspect of the invention can fast and readily be mounted or retrofitted on a window.
The invention will be explained in detail in the following by means of examples of embodiments with reference to the schematic drawing, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a window according to the first aspect of the present invention,
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the window according to Fig. 1,
Figs 3 and 4 are end views of the window according to Fig. 1 showing the principal position of two compression springs,
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a set of parts according to the third aspect of the present invention in an assembled state as applied to the window of Fig. 1,
Fig. 6 is a side view of a compression spring of the set of parts according to Fig. 5,
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a lower bearing member of the set of parts according to Fig. 5,
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an upper bearing member of the set of parts according to Fig. 5,
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member of the set of parts according to Fig. 5,
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a reinforcement member, and
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a protection member of the set of parts according to Fig. 5.

Figs 1 and 2 show different views of a window according to the first aspect of the present invention in the form of a skylight. The skylight comprises a rectangular window portion 1 in the form of a Velux® top-hung roof window (GHL type), which is able to pivot about a horizontal axis positioned along a bottom of the window (to the lower right in Fig. 1 and to the right in Fig. 2). The window portion 1 is installed in a flat roof 2 and comprises a sash 3 positioned in a frame 4, which are both extruded PVC profiles (in the present context flat roofs are defined as roofs having an inclination in relation to horizontal of less than about 15°). In other embodiments the frame and sash may be in the form of for example extruded aluminium profiles or they may comprise wooden parts.
The sash 3 comprises a bottom 3a, a top 3b and two side (not shown) sash members and encloses a windowpane 5 with two layers of glazing sandwiching a layer of gas to provide insulation glazing. The frame 4 comprises a bottom 4a, a top 4b and two side frame members, of which only one 4c is shown (in Fig. 1). The bottom sash member 3a is pivotally connected to the bottom frame member 4a by means of two hinges (not shown) defining a pivot axis.
A dome portion 6 in the form of a dome-shaped acrylic plate is attached to the sash 3 to form a weather shield protecting the window portion 1. Supporting the dome portion 6 are sealing projections or weather strips 7, 8, sealing the sash 3 against the dome portion 6.
Pivoting the sash 3 and dome 6 about the pivot axis by means of a chain operator 23 embedded in the top frame member 4b provides movement between an open and a closed position of the window. The chain operator 23 may be driven automatically and may be radio controlled.
Figs 3 and 4 show the principal position of two compression springs in the form of gas springs 10, 11, one gas spring 10, 11 being positioned on each side of the chain operator 23, or more precisely on each side of an operator chain 24 of the chain operator 23. The gas springs 10, 11 connect the bottom sash member 3a and the bottom frame member 4a via sash bearing members 13, 14 and frame bearing members 12, 15, thus providing a spring force on the window sash 3 towards the open position of the window. As can be seen from Fig. 3, the gas springs 10, 11 are positioned inclined in the closed position of the window in relation to the plane of the window in order to provide an initial force pushing the sash and frame away from each other. Due to the position of the springs at the top of the window the spring forces will work near the operator chain to lessen any deformation of the profiles.
More than two springs may be provided in other embodiments of the window according to the first aspect of the invention, e.g. connecting side frame and sash members of the window.
Fig. 3 shows the window in a fully closed state, and Fig. 4 shows the window in a fully opened state. As can be seen when comparing the positions of the gas springs 10, 11 in the two states of the window, the gas springs pivot in directions away from each other during pivoting of the window sash 3 towards the open position of the window. Correspondingly, during pivoting of the window sash 3 towards the closed position of the window the gas springs 10, 11 pivot in directions towards each other.
Fig. 5 shows an assembled set of parts comprising the right gas spring 11, the right sash bearing member 14 and the right frame bearing member 15 of Figs 3 and 4, this set of parts being applied to position the gas spring 11 on the right section of the top sash and frame members 3a, 4a as shown in Figs 3 and 4. The gas spring 11 is shown in more detail in Fig. 6, the frame bearing member 15 in Fig. 7, and the sash bearing member 14 in Fig. 8.
The left gas spring 10 of Figs 3 and 4 equally forms part of a similar, but reversed set of parts mounted on the left side of the top sash and frame member 3a, 4a. All parts of the sets of parts provided on each side of the operator chain 24 are of the same types and are interchangeable.
Referring to Figs 5 and 6 the gas spring 11 comprises two heads 18, 19, the head 18 engaging the sash bearing member 14, and the head 19 engaging the frame bearing member 15. Both heads 18, 19 of the gas spring 11 are formed as ball-like, substantially hemispherical joints. In other embodiments of the compression spring of the window according to the first aspect of the invention the term "head" may simply denote ends of the compression spring such that any compression spring will comprise two ends.
The gas spring 11 is in the form of a standard gas spring, on end threads of which purpose-made heads 18, 19 have been threaded. The heads 18, 19 are manufactured from Zyxel 80633, i.e. nylon comprising 33% glass.
The bearing members 14, 15 are shaped to be embedded in corresponding cut-outs of the top sash member 3a and top frame member 4a, respectively, and are secured via screw bores 18. Each bearing member is provided with similar oblong trays, of which only the tray 15a of the frame bearing member 15 is shown (Figs 5 and 7). The trays correspond to the hemispherical heads 18, 19 of the gas spring 11.
The bearing members 14, 15 each have a plane of symmetry at the middle of their longitudinal directions. The frame bearing member 15 also has a plane of symmetry at the middle of its transverse direction. In theory the same bearing member could be used both on the sash and on the frame. However, in the embodiment shown they are not interchangeable, but have the tray shape and tray size in common. The bearing members are manufactured from POM with an embedded lubricant.
Due to the corresponding shapes of the bearing member trays and the heads 18, 19, as is shown in Fig. 5 each head 18, 19 can be embedded in a respective bearing member 14, 15 such as to be rotatable in relation to and releasable, i.e. freely embedded in, from the bearing member 14, 15. Further, the tray of each bearing member 14, 15 is oblong in a direction parallel to the top sash and frame members 3a, 4a such that each spring head 18, 19 is also slidable in the respective tray in said direction.
When mounted in the window as shown in Figs 3 and 4 the gas spring 11 is hereby adapted to also pivot towards or away from the bottom sash and frame members 3b, 4b during pivoting between the open and closed positions of the window. Further, the frame 4 and sash 3 of the window can be easily assembled and because of the versatility of movement of the gas springs 10, 11 no adjustment of the positions of the individual elements is necessary. The gas springs 10, 11 automatically slide into their proper positions.
Although the heads 18, 19 are freely embedded in the bearing members 14, 15, in both the open and closed positions of the window the gas springs 10, 11 will be hindered from jumping out of the bearing members because they are at all times pushed against ends of the bearing member trays under the weight of the sash 3, windowpane 5 and dome 6.
Fig. 9 shows a first embodiment of a reinforcement member in the form of a metallic rail 16a to be secured to the top frame member 4a by means of screw bores 20a. When mounting the rail 16a on the top frame member 4a, first the rail 16a is positioned correctly by means of a folding 21, which extends into a corresponding slot in the top frame member 4a. The rail 16a is then temporarily secured to the top frame member 4a by means of a bolt 22 (Fig. 5), which is guided through a bolt bore 22a in the rail 16a and into a predrilled bore in the top frame member 4a. Subsequently, screws 25 (Fog. 5) are guided through the screw bores 18 of the frame bearing member 15, through the screw bores 20a of the rail 16a and into the top frame member 4a, firmly securing the frame bearing member 15 and rail 16a to the top frame member 4a.
Fig. 10 shows a second embodiment of a reinforcement member, which is in the form of a longer metallic rail 16b secured to the top frame member 4a by means of screw bores 20b. Both frame bearing members 12, 15 having already been firmly secured to the rail 16b to the top frame member 4a, they are hereby also firmly secured to the top frame member 4a. The reinforcement member of Fig. 10 is advantageous over that of Fig. 9 in that all horizontal force components are absorbed by the metallic rail 16b. The top sash member 3a is equally reinforced by means of a metallic reinforcement (not shown) disposed within the sash profile.
The purpose of the rails 16a, 16b is to distribute the forces exerted by the sash 3, dome portion 6 and windowpane 5 on the top frame member 4a via the gas springs 10, 11 over a larger area of the top frame member 4a, the top frame member 4a hereby being more able to absorb the forces.
Fig. 11 shows a protection member of the set of parts according to Fig. 5. The protection member is in the form of a snap protection 17 manufactured from Santoprene (TM) and secured to the frame bearing member 15. The snap protection 17 comprises a projection 17a abutting the gas spring 11, thereby hindering the gas spring 11 from being released from the frame bearing member 15.
When mounting the window of the drawings, the top sash member 3a is connected to the separately provided top frame member 4a by means of the gas springs 10, 11 to provide a spring force on the sash 3 towards an open position of the window. This is done by embedding the heads of each gas spring 10, 11 in respective bearing members 12, 13; 14, 15 such as to be slidable, rotatable in relation to and releasable from the respective bearing members 12, 13; 14, 15. Then the operator chain 24 of the chain operator 23 embedded in the top frame member 3a is connected to the sash 3.

Claims

A window comprising
a top (3b), a bottom (3a) and two side sash members defining a window sash (3), and a top (4b), a bottom (4a) and two side frame members (4c) defining a window frame (4), said bottom sash member (3a) being pivotally connected to said bottom frame member (4a) by means of a pivot hinge defining a pivot axis; and
two compression springs, such as gas springs (10, 11), each having two heads (18, 19) and connecting said window sash (3) and said window frame (4) such as to provide a spring force on said window sash (3) towards an open position of said window,
said compression springs connect said top sash member (3b) to said top frame member (4b) and are adapted to pivot in directions towards or away from each other during pivoting of said window sash (3) in relation to said window frame (4) between said open and a closed position of said window, said window sash (3) and said window frame (4) each comprises bearing members (13, 14; 12, 15) for receiving respective heads (18, 19) of said compression springs, at least one head (18, 19) of each compression spring being embedded in a respective bearing member (12-15) such as to be rotatable in relation to and releasable from said bearing member (12-15), characterized in that each bearing member (12-15), in which one head (18, 19) of a respective said compression spring is releasably embedded, comprises a tray (15a), which is oblong in a direction parallel to said top frame and sash members (4b, 3b) such that each freely and releasably embedded spring head (18, 19) is slidable in said bearing member (12-15) in said direction.
A window according to claim 1, wherein said compression springs are adapted to also pivot towards or away from said bottom sash and frame members (3a, 4a) during pivoting between said open and closed positions.
A window according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a drive means, such as a chain operator (23), connects said top sash member (3b) to said top frame member (4b), one of said compression springs being positioned on each side of said drive means.
A window according any one of the previous claims, wherein at least one head (18, 19) of at least one of said compression springs is formed as a ball-like, preferably hemispherical joint.
A window according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising a reinforcement member, preferably in the form of an oblong metallic rail (16a), connecting points of attack of said compression springs on said window frame (4) and/or sash (3), respectively, such as to absorb horizontal force components exerted by the compression springs on said window frame (3) and/or window sash (4).
A window according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said window includes a set of parts for spring-loading said window sash (3) in relation to said window frame (4) of a window, said set of parts comprising
a compression spring, such as a gas spring (10, 11); and
a bearing member (12-15) adapted for attachment to said window sash (3) and said window frame (4), respectively, for receiving a head (18, 19) of said compression spring,
characterized in that
said bearing member (12-15) is provided with an oblong tray (15a); and
at least one of said heads (18, 19) of said compression spring is formed as a ball-like, preferably hemispherical joint adapted to be releasably, slidably and preferably rotatably embedded in said oblong tray (15a) of said bearing member (12-15).
The window according to claim 6, wherein the set of parts comprises two bearing members (12-15), both bearing members (12-15) being provided with respective oblong trays (15a), and both heads (18, 19) of said compression spring being formed as ball-like, preferably hemispherical joints adapted to be releasably and slidably embedded in said respective oblong trays (15a) of said bearing members (12-15).
The window according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the set of parts further comprises a protection member (17) secured to said bearing member (12-15) and comprising a projection (17a) abutting said compression spring in an assembled state of said set of parts such as to hinder said compression spring from being released from said bearing member (12-15).
The window according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein the set of parts further comprises a further, like compression spring, a frame unit with a chain operator (23) and two said bearing members (12-15) and a sash unit with two said bearing members (12-15), preferably said frame unit and/or said sash unit connect points of attack of said compression springs on said window frame and/or sash, respectively, such as to absorb horizontal force components exerted by said compression springs on said window frame and/or window sash.
A method of mounting a window according to one of the claims 1-9, comprising the steps of: providing a top (3b), a bottom (3a) and two side sash members defining a window sash (3), a top (4b), a bottom (4a) and two side frame members (4c) defining a window frame (4), said bottom sash member (3b) being pivotally connected to said bottom frame member (4b) by means of a pivot hinge defining a pivot axis; providing at least two compression springs, such as gas springs (10, 11), each having two heads (18, 19); and connecting said top sash member (3b) to said top frame member (4b) by means of said compression springs such as to provide a spring force on said window sash (3) towards an open position, by positioning said compression springs such as to be pivotable in directions towards or away from each other during pivoting of said window sash (3) in relation to said window frame (4) between said open and a closed position of said window.
A method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of providing a drive means, such as a chain operator (23), and connecting said window sash (3) to said window frame (4) by means of said drive means for pivoting said window sash (3) in relation to said window frame (4) between said open and closed positions of said window.
A method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising the step of embedding at least one head (18, 19) of each said compression spring in a respective bearing member (12-15) such as to be slidable, rotatable in relation to and/or releasable from said bearing member (12-15).