EP2361339B1

EP2361339B1 - Frame for sliding doors or windows

Info

Publication number: EP2361339B1
Application number: EP08793978.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hugo Miguel Machado Rainha
Original assignee: Unlimited Perspective SA
Current assignee: SERRALHARIA JOFEBAR SA
Priority date: 2008-08-29
Filing date: 2008-08-29
Publication date: 2013-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2028-08-29
Also published as: DK2361339T3; EP2361339A1; PT2361339E; CN102203371A; WO2010024703A1; ES2427251T3; PL2361339T3; CN102203371B

Description

The present invention concerns a sash according to claim 1 and more generally relates to a frame, preferably, rectangular or square, for doors or windows with sliding leafs, comprising a fixed frame to be applied on a building door or window opening and one or more moveable frames for application on said fixed frame. Each moveable frame is to be mounted on the periphery of a panel, made of any material, preferably, a single or double glass panel, forming one door or window sliding leaf. The fixed frame and the moveable frame being formed by new profiles and designed to provide a thermal and acoustic cut higher than the frames currently available in the market, and still providing the perfect alignment of the door or window sliding leafs, as well as a reduction of the required force to move by sliding said sliding leafs. The invention has major application with door or window sliding leafs with high weights in the range of 50 to 300 kg. Relevant sashes sliding on ball bearing are known from EP2093364B1 and WO 94/17275A1 .
Relevant sashes sliding on ball bearing are known from EP 2093364 B1 and WO 94/17275 A1 .
The frame according to the invention differs from the conventional frames by the fact that:

the profiles have a new design and are made of metal or synthetic material;
the use of tools to its assembly is reduced to the minimum, said profiles are assembled together to form the frame by clipping;
provides an improvement in the thermal and acoustic cut;
provides the reduction of the required force to displace each door or window sliding leaf, specially, for door or window sliding leafs with weighs ranging from 50 to 300 kg;
the sliding leafs support bearings are arranged in one bearing support fixed on the fixed frame lower portion;
the bearing support is easily detachable from the fixed frame for maintenance; and
the sliding leaf lower portion is a simplified profile without movable parts,
the dimensioning of the linking profiles which are used in the fixed frame provides an optimised water retaining and draining capacity of the frame lower portion and well above than that observed in other frames available in the market, and fully fulfils the standards UNE-EN ISSO 12567-1:2002, UNE-EN 1026:2000/UNE-EN 12207:2000, UNE-EN 1027:2000/UNE-EN12208:2000; UNE-12211:2000, UNE-12210:2000,UNE-12210/AC:2002; UNE-EN ISSO 140-3:1995.

The object of the invention is therefore a new frame for doors or windows, consisting of one fixed frame and one or several sliding leafs which can be displaced by lateral sliding, in parallel plans, which are supported in support bearings, mounted on a bearing support, arranged on the fixed frame lower portion.
The fixed frame is composed by one stiff frame comprising four lateral portions joined together by their ends, that is to say, one upper portion, one lower portion and two lateral portions with the same structure.
The said fixed frame portions are joined together by their ends, by any way known in the art and surround completely a building door or window opening and are fixed in a conventional way.
Each fixed frame portion is composed by profiles specially designed to the frame which is object of this invention, each one consisting of two external profiles and one internal profile, the external profiles being equal, all this profiles being made of any appropriated material, preferably, aluminium, and being the three said profiles joined together by two linking profiles of synthetic material, preferably, polyamide, providing said linking profiles the thermal and acoustic cut of the fixed frame.
In the fixed frame lower portion cavities, defined by the linking profile upper walls and by the two external profile lateral walls and by the internal profile, the bearing supports are arranged, fixed by clipping (snap fit) on said profiles of synthetic material lying said bearings support perfectly retained and abutted therewith.
In each fixed frame upper portion cavity, defined by the linking profile upper walls and by the lateral walls of the two external profiles and by the internal profile, small cover profiles are arranged, fixed by clipping (snap fit), which lying perfectly retained and abutted on said profiles of synthetic material.
In one of the four fixed frame lateral portions cavities, defined by the linking profile upper walls and by the two external profiles lateral walls and by the internal profile, large cover profiles and small cover profiles are arranged, fixed by clipping (snap fit), lying perfectly retained and abutted on the said synthetic material profiles, the large cover profiles lying in front of the small cover profiles.
The moveable frame is composed by one stiff frame comprising four lateral portions joined together by their ends, that is to say, one upper portion, one lower portion and two lateral portions, the upper and lower portions being equal to each other and the lateral portions different from each other.
The said moveable frame portions are linked by any way known in the art and surround completely the periphery of one panel made of any material, preferably, a single or double glass panel, forming one door or window sliding leaf.
Each moveable frame upper and lower portion is composed by lower/upper leaf profiles, generally U shaped and specially designed to the frame which is object of this invention, including the lower wall of this profile (when it forms the lower portion of the moveable frame) two recessed surfaces and symmetrically related to a U medium plan, forming the two surfaces, among them, an angle ranging from 166 to 174°, preferably, from 168 to 174° and; more preferably, of 174°, the extension of said two surfaces in cross section of said U shaped profile presenting the V shape, which intersection apex is directed downward. Between two said recessed surfaces is arranged a retaining recess in order to accommodate one plush strip. Fitted in each lower profile recessed surfaces is arranged one track for bearings made of any appropriated material, preferably, brass.
One of the moveable frame lateral portions is composed by profiles specially designed to the frame which is object of this invention, consisting said portion of two puller profiles and two puller leaf profiles, the profiles being made of any appropriated material, preferably, aluminium, and the puller profiles being joined together by the puller linking profile and the puller leaf profiles are joined together by the puller leaf linking profile, and said linking profiles being made of synthetic material, preferably, polyamide, which promote the thermal and acoustic cut of the moveable frame.
The other one of the moveable frame lateral portions is composed by profiles specially designed to the frame which is object of this invention, said portion consisting of one central cover profile and one central cover leaf profile, joined together, said profiles being made of any appropriated material, preferably, aluminium and the profile L shaped internal portion of the central cover being lined with one synthetic material central profile, preferably, polyamide, the said central profile promoting the thermal and acoustic cut of the moveable frame.
The door or window frame can be composed by one or several sliding leafs, which can move on a plurality of lower bearings, arranged on said bearing supports.
As mentioned above said bearing supports are arranged on the fixed frame lower portion cavities, defined by the linking profile upper walls and by the lateral walls of the two external profiles and by the internal profile lateral walls, each bearing support composed by one profile made of an appropriated material, preferably, aluminium, presenting one horizontal wall and two pairs of angled walls to the horizontal wall and each pair of walls being symmetrically angled to the other pair. On said angled walls of said bearing supports is fixed a plurality of pairs of bearings. The bearings, which form each said pair of bearings, are arranged side by side on the profile cross-sectional direction, under the horizontal wall of said bearing supports. The slopped walls of said bearing supports form, in relation to the horizontal wall of the bearing supports, an angle ranging from 6 to 2°, preferably, from 4 to 2° and, more preferably, of 3°, the axes of said bearings also forming the same angles related to the horizontal wall of said bearing supports, as well as the respective tracks of said bearings. Each bearing is spaced apart of the angled walls, it is mounted between them by means of one shaft and spacer washers, and each bearing is assembled in such a way that their tracks protrude outside of the horizontal wall of the bearing support profile.
The longitudinal spacing between said pairs of bearings is defined by the sliding leafs weight, which are supported by them. The spacing between pairs of bearings ranges from 10 to 25 cm.
Preferably, said bearings are bearings of stainless steel auto-lubricated and shrouded ball bearings. The spacer washers are made of any appropriated material, preferably, brass.
The lower portion of the moveable frame seats, by means of the tracks for bearings, on said pairs of bearings. Each pair of bearings is arranged so as the contact line between each bearing track and the corresponding contact line of the track for bearings form a null angle, i.e., both the bearing track and said track for bearings have the same slope.
The said slope angles are chosen so as the sliding leafs, during their displacement, do not get out from alignment, i.e., do not ride over said pairs of bearings, and still allow the assembly of the bearing support by clipping on said fixed frame lower portion, as well as its easy disassembly for maintenance.
In the linking profile sizing its water draining and retaining function was also accounted, as composing part of the fixed frame lower portion. Thus, the internal and external profiles together with one linking profile define three spaces of water draining and retaining, which can work as buffer, with capacity up to 3 litres of water by fixed frame linear metre, being the water draining provided by a drilling set strategically executed on said linking profile and on the other profiles composing the fixed frame and the fixed frame draining outside being based on the principle of communicating vessels. The drillings quantity to the outside depends, obviously, on the door or window frame length and on its exposure to the weather. It was found that this way of water draining has proved even when there is rain wind-tossed directly against the door or window.
The invention will be now described in greater detail with help of one exemplary embodiment, but not limitative, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows in a very schematic way and partially sectioned one window frame with sliding leafs, according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows an horizontal cross section, as presented in figure right upper part, of the frame depicted in Figure 1, each frame visible parts being depicted in Figure right side;
Figure 3 shows a vertical cross section, as presented in figure right upper part, of the frame depicted in Figure 1, each frame visible parts being depicted in figure right side;
Figure 4 shows, in a very schematic and enlarged way, a vertical section, corresponding to Figure 3, being depicted only one glass panel;
Figure 5 shows an enlarged top view of one bearing support according to the invention;
Figure 6 shows an enlarged top view of one bearing mounted in the respective bearing housing of the bearing support;
Figure 7 shows an enlarged detail in vertical section of the fixed frame lower portion, where it is depicted the water draining;
Figure 8 shows in graphical way the required force to move one frame sliding leaf for doors and windows according to the present invention.

In Figure 1 is shown partially sectioned, the frame according to the invention, in which is possible to see the fixed frame consisting of two external profiles made of aluminium 1, one intermediate profile made of aluminium 3, and two linking profiles 7, two bearings support 14, and the moveable frame partially depicted, where is only visible the central cover profile 8.
Figure 2 shows with more detail the frame in horizontal cross section, where are depicted, either mounted or individualized, the frame components, the fixed frame lateral portions components being shown, i.e.: the external profile 1, the internal profile 3, and the polyamide linking profile 7 of thermal and acoustic cut, as well as the fixed frame lateral portions linings, composed by the large frame cover profile 2, the small frame cover profile 6 and the plush strips 18. In this figure are also shown the components of the one moveable frame lateral portion (puller), i.e., the puller profile 4, the puller leaf profile 5, the puller leaf linking profile 11, and the puller linking profile 12, these latter inserted, respectively, between the puller profiles 4 and the puller leaf profiles 5, and of the other lateral portion (central), i.e., the central:cover profile 8, the central cover leaf profile 9 as well as the central profile 10, lined with plush strip 18. The polyamide profiles 10, 11 e 12 serve to promote the thermal and acoustic cut.
Figure 3 shows with more detail the frame in vertical cross section where are depicted, either mounted or individualized, the frame components, the fixed frame lower portion and the upper portion components being shown, i.e., the external profile 1, the internal profile 3, the linking profile 7, as well as the fixed frame upper portion liners composed by the small frame cover profile 6 and by the plush strips 18 and also by the fixed frame lower portion liners composed by the bearings support 14 and plush strips 18. The polyamide linking profile 7 serves to promote the thermal and acoustic cut. The lower portion of the moveable frame and upper portion components are also shown, i.e., the lower/upper leaf profile 13, as well as the moveable frame lower portion liners composed by the brass tracks for bearings 15.
Figure 4 shows with more detail the fixed frame lower crossbar composed by the external profiles 1, lower profile 3 and linking profile 7, having mounted the bearing supports 14, as well as the lower leaf profile 13 of the moveable frame.
As can also be seen in Figure 4, the external angled walls of the bearing supports 14 engage by clipping in the linking profile 7 and their internal walls seat in the horizontal wall of said profile resulting in a bearing noise reduction when the sliding leaf moves on the bearings 17. The pairs of bearings 17 are spaced apart longitudinally to each other from 10 to 25 cm depending on the sliding leaf weight.
In Figure 4 is also shown the lower leaf profile 13 of the moveable frame, which presents two recessed and angled surfaces, symmetrically related to an internal medium plan parallel to the glass panel external surfaces, which forms each window frame sliding leaf, said surfaces forming each other an angle ranging from 166 to 174°, preferably, from 168 to 174° and, more preferably, from 174°. Such recessed surfaces serve to support the tracks for bearings 15, composed by rectangular section brass bars, protruding downward from said lower leaf profile 13, and composing the sliding tracks, which get support on said bearings 17, having therefore the same slope than the bearings 17 axes. A retaining recess between two said recessed surfaces is arranged.
As shown in detail in Figure 5 the bearing supports 14 comprise housings, in their under side, composed by pairs of angled walls, where each bearing 17 is mounted. The bearings 17 are arranged side by side symmetrically, between each pair of angled walls, being positioned, between each wall and each bearing 17, one spacer washer 16. The axes of each bearing 17 form an angle from 3 to 7°, preferably, from 3 to 6° and, more preferably, of 3°, with the upper plan of the bearing support 14. The bearings 17 are arranged so as to protrude in a angled way from the bearing support 14 upper surface, so as to accommodate the lower portion of the moveable frame.
Figure 6 shows an enlarged detail of the bearing support 14 where can be seen the force distribution which act on each bearing 17. The bearings 17 slope seeks to reduce the lateral friction between the sliding leaf and the fixed frame, the slope causes the sliding leaf weight to be divided in the X and Y direction, and the force in Fx direction being responsible by the sliding leaf alignment.
Figure 7 shows an enlarged detail in vertical cross section where water draining paths in the fixed frame lower portion are indicated by arrows.
Several tests were carried out to find the required force to move the sliding leaf with different window weights. The test conditions were the following: spacing between pairs of bearings = 20 cm and bearing axes angle = 3°.
The obtained results are presented in the chart shown in Figure 8.
From chart I analysis can be noticed that the required force to start the movement progress in a substantial linear way with the weight increase.
In prior tests was noticed that, in case of bearing 17 angles are nulls, the sliding of the sliding leaf is very irregular and the required force to move the sliding leaf is very higher than the one required when the bearing 17 axes are angled. The main reason is due to the fact of the sliding leaf is not being guided, which cause lateral oscillations, leading to a friction increase.
Experiences were carried out with different angles, from 0 to 7 degrees, to choose the better angle.
For bearing 17 axes angles between 0 and 2° can be concluded that the bearings slope influence is minimum, not being achieved the sliding leaf alignment.
It can also be concluded that the bearing 17 axes angles between 3 and 5° are optimal for sliding leafs with large weights, above 100 Kg, the sliding leaf being perfectly aligned during its movement and the lateral oscillations, due to alignment deviation, substantially eliminated, what leads to a low bearing friction.
It still can be concluded that the angles from 5 to 6° are more convenient for sliding leafs with weights under 100 Kg. The component of the force (Fx) in the x direction is small due to the small sliding leaf weight, therefore the sliding leaf alignment is not so effective, to prevent this happening higher angles are being used in order to have an higher component of the force being deviated to the y direction (Fy).

Claims

A sash for doors or windows with sliding sheets, which is composed by one fixed rim, for application In a building door or window opening, and one or more moveable rims, to be mounted on one or more single or double glass panels, composing one or more sliding sheets, being able to be displaced by lateral sliding, in parallel plans, wherein said moveable rim (4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18) of sliding sheets is supported, by tracks for bearings (15) arranged In their lower portion, in a plurality of bracket bearings (17), mounted on bearing carriage (14), arranged in the fixed rim (1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) lower portion, the movable rim being composed by one frame composed by four portions, upper and lower portions being composed by equal profiles (13) and being one of the lateral portions composed by profiles (4, 6, 11, 12) and the other one of the lateral portions composed by profiles (8, 9, 10) and the lower/upper sheet proflies (13) composing said moveable rim upper and lower portions are U
shaped, the lower wall of such profiles (13) with a U closed part directed downwards including two recessed and symmetric surfaces related to a U medium plan, characterized in that said surfaces define an angle ranging from 166 to 174°, preferably, from 168 to 174° and, more preferably, of 174°, the extension of said two surfaces in cross section of said U profile presenting V shape which intersection vertex is directed downwards, between said two recessed surfaces being arranged a retaining recess and, when said profile (13) is arranged in the lower portion of said sliding sheet, in each said recessed surfaces is fixed a track for bearings (15) and in that one of the fixed rim lateral portions is composed by two puller profiles (4) and two puller sheet profiles (5), the puller profiles (4) being integral to each other by riveting a puller linking profile (12) and the puller sheet profiles (5) being integral to each other by riveting a puller sheet linking profile (11).
A sash for doors or windows with sliding sheets according to claim 1, characterized in that each bearing carriage (14) presenting one horizontal wall and two pairs of walls sloped related to the horizontal wall, a plurality of pairs of bearings (17) is fixed in said bearing carriage (14) sloped walls, being the bearings (17), which form each said pairs of bearings, arranged side by side in the profile cross-sectional direction, under said bearing carriage (14) horizontal wall, said sloped walls forming, related to the bearing carriage (14) horizontal wall an angle ranging from 7 to 3°, preferably, from 6 to 3° and more preferably 3°, said bearings axes also forming the same angles related to said bearing carriage (14) horizontal wall, as well as the respective tracks of said bearings (17), each bearing (17) being spaced apart from the sloped walls, among which is mounted, by spacer washers (16) and the assembly of each bearing (17) being made in such a way that its tracks protrude to outside of the bearing carriage (14) profile horizontal wall, the moveable rim lower portion seating, by tracks for bearings (15), in said pairs of bearings (17).
A sash for doors or windows with sliding sheets according the claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bearing carriages (14) are arranged in the fixed rim lower portion cavities, fixed by clipping on said synthetic material profiles (7), which lying perfectly retained and abutted therewith.
A sash for doors or windows with sliding sheets according to claim 1, characterized in that the other of the moveable rim lateral portions is composed by one central cover profile (8) and one central cover sheet profile (9), each other integral by clipping, the central cover profile (8) internal part L shaped being lined with a central profile (10) riveted.
A sash for doors or windows with sliding sheets according to claim 2, characterized in that the longitudinal spacing, between said pairs of bearings (17), is defined by the sliding sheets weight which are supported by them and ranging from 10 to 25 cm.
A sash for doors or windows with sliding sheets according to claim 1, 2 or 5, characterized in that the bearings (17) are ball bearings, made of stainless steel, auto-lubricated and shrouded.
A sash for doors or windows with sliding sheets according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the fixed rim lower portion, the external and internal (1, 3) profiles together with one linking profile (7) define three spaces of water retaining and draining, which can work as buffer, with capacity for 3 litres of water per fixed rim linear metre, the water draining being provided by a drilling set executed in said linking profile and in the other profiles composing the fixed rim.