EP2460970A1

EP2460970A1 - A sectional door panel comprising a window assembly and a method of assembling said panel

Info

Publication number: EP2460970A1
Application number: EP11192119A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Steffen Pram Nielsen
Original assignee: Nassau Door AS
Current assignee: Nassau Door AS
Priority date: 2010-12-06
Filing date: 2011-12-06
Publication date: 2012-06-06

Abstract

The invention relation to a sectional door panel (2) comprising window assembly (3) and at least one panel section (4), said window assembly comprises at least one glazing pane (11,12,13) attached to a window frame (14) via a first means for attaching (23), the at least one glazing pane (11,12,13) is further attached to the at least one panel section (4) via a second means for attaching (24), which is arranged to conform to dimensional changes in the sectional door panel (2). In this way the present invention is arranged for preventing that the at least one glazing pane fractures over time, e.g. due to thermal and mechanical expansion and contraction from temperatures and wind pressures.

Description

The present invention relates to a sectional door panel, comprising a window assembly and a method of assembling said panel. The invention further relates to a sectional door and the use of said door.
A typical sectional door is composed of a number of horizontal sections (panels), each of which is hinged to its adjacent panels allowing the panels to move independently. The door is mounted in a vertical track/guide, which curves at least partly upwardly into a horizontal position so that the door may be opened upwardly and be supported horizontally in an open position.
Customarily, each of the sections are fabricated separately and thereafter hinged together along a longitudinal edge to provide the complete sectional door structure.
In entryways to garages or other spaces that are actively heated or cooled, the sectional doors are typically insulated in order to resist heat transfer through the door. Such insulated sectional door typically includes a plurality of sheet door panels backed by a panel of thermally insulating material.
In order to allow light to flow through residential and industrial sectional doors, such as e.g. garage doors, a number of manufacturers offer window assemblies which are fitted within openings provided in the sectional door and which typically feature a central opening which contains a transparent pane which may be of pre-stressed glass, plastic or other transparent material such as acrylics.
However, one of the problems with sectional doors comprising window assembles is that it is the windows that provide one of the mayor sources of heat loss. In this respect it is worth noticing that in a conventional building the energy consumption in domestic buildings in 2007 accounted for about 40 % of Denmark's total energy consumption, of which approximately 25 % are assumed to be heat loss through windows.
Windows assembles placed in a sectional door are therefore normally very small, in order to minimize the heat loss though the window. However this has the consequences that only little daylight is allowed to enter the interior of the building.
Placement of sealed glazing windows could provide a relatively large windowpane with good insulation characteristics, however, since such sealed glazing windows normally is very expensive and extremely heavy, such a solution is not considered suitable in order to provide large windows in e.g. an industrial sectional door.
Another problem with placement of windows in conventional insulated doors, is that since the insulating panels typically are constructed of polymeric foam materials that are soft, brittle and easily can be damaged or broken, the portions of an insulating panel that surround a window opening are vulnerable to damage if left unprotected, and require support on the back of the door panel.
Another problem with sectional doors comprising a window is that sectional doors, similar to other building structures, tend to swell and shrink depending on climatic conditions, seasonal changes and the progression of time. In this respect it has been found that prior art window assemblies in sectional doors typically are rigid and the thermal and mechanical expansion and contraction from temperature changes and wind pressures expose the doors and the window components to stress and shear forces that eventually cause the windows to break.
DE 10 2006 205051 relates to a sectional door having at least one panel section substantially covered by a transparent windowpane. Even though said sectional door have a larger transparent area than other known doors, the sectional door described in the German application is a rigid construction and accordingly not capable of expanding or contracting in accordance with climate conditions. Furthermore, the known sectional door is not arranged for preventing heat loss through the door.
There would therefore be a considerably energy saving potential in developing new and better low-energy windows assemblies both for the use in renovation of the existing sectional doors but also for use in new sectional doors.
Accordingly, it is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a sectional door panel comprising a window assembly, which is capable of resisting the thermal and mechanical stresses provided on the door from e.g. temperature changes and wind pressures.
It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a sectional door panel comprising a window assembly which both allows more light to enter the building and which provides a higher degree of resistant of heat transfer through the window than hitherto known.
It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide a sectional door panel comprising a window assembly which is shatter resistant, relatively light and which also avoids developing water condensate between its panes.
It is a fourth aspect of the present invention to provide a sectional door panel comprising a window assembly in which the components of the panel can be easily assembled.
It is a fifth aspect of the present invention to provide a sectional door panel that is inexpensive to manufacture and is simple to assemble and reliable to use.
It is a sixth aspect according to the present invention to provide a sectional door which provides a decorative and aesthetically pleasing appearance, while securely supporting the various window components of the overall assembly.
These and further aspects are achieved according to the present invention as the sectional door panel comprises a window assembly and at least one panel section, said window assembly comprises at least one glazing pane attached to a window frame via a first means for attaching, the at least one glazing pane is further attached to the at least one panel section via a second means for attaching, said second means is arranged to conform to dimensional changes in the sectional door panel.
In this way the present invention meets the problems with the prior art sectional door comprising windows, by ensuring that the window assembly are capable of preventing that the at least one glazing pane fractures over time. When stresses are created on the sectional door panel, due to thermal and mechanical expansion and contraction from temperature changes and wind pressures, the second means for attaching will automatically conform to any dimensional changes in the sectional door panel, and will therefore allow e.g. the glazing pane or the panel section to move, or expand and contract, without unduly stressing and inevitable cracking the pane(s).
The glazing pane of the window assembly, however, is preferably securely kept in place by means of the first means for attaching thereby preventing any wind or objects to come inside the protected premises. In this ways the door panel prevents that water and air is able to enter the window assembly, resulting in a higher thermal insulation value and thereby lower energy costs.
As noted above, the door panel according to the invention will allow e.g. the panel sections and the glazing panes to expand and contract without stress to a point where stress fractures would occur, or where the parts of the sectional door would deform and fail to maintain structural integrity. Since stresses between the glazing panes and the second means for attaching inevitably will take place, it is preferred that the window frame and the at least one panel section are connected only via the at least one glazing pane. In this way the window assembly is only attached to the panel section via the glazing pane and the second means for attaching.
It is in this respect preferred that the window frame and the at least one panel section is spaced apart by a deformation gap or a deformation space. In this respect the present invention is capable of absorbing e.g. the shear forces both through the deformation of the second means for attaching and since the deformation gap will provide sufficient space for any extra length and/or height of an expanded sectional panel.
In this way the present invention allows for the stresses of the pane to act directly upon both the window frame and the at least one panel section, however stresses will not be transferred to e.g. an opposing pane or directly between the frame and the panel sections, thereby allowing stress and movement to occur in a manner that diminishes the full load of such forces on the glazing panes.
This is done by providing an arrangement that allows the glazing panes to "float" on the second means for attaching, thereby substantially preventing direct contact with the panel element and the window frame.
The term "float" as used herein is not intended to preclude occasional or accidental contact of the window frame with the panel section, but only to indicate that along the majority of the window frame, the panel sections only contacts the second means for attaching, and not the window frame.
In a preferred embodiment according to the invention the second means for attaching is made of a resilient material, as this provides an especially simple and inexpensive construction. The preferred material is a butyl sealant. Other resilient materials having similar capacities is also intended within the scope of protection, as long as the material is capable of conforming to dimensional changes in the sectional door panel and keeping the glazing pane(s) securely in place. The second means for attaching is used in an amount sufficient to provide a very secure and stabile construction. The inventors have found that when a butyl sealant is used, only a thin joint filing of the second means for attaching is required, having dimensions in mm in the area between 1.5 x 1.5 x 2 and 2 x 2 x 3. The specific dimensions will obviously depend on the dimensions of the sectional door panel and a larger door panel can require a larger joint filling.
It is however preferred that the second means for attaching is placed in at least a part of the periphery of the glazing pane, as this provides a simple and effective way for attaching the window assembly to the panel section(s).
The use of a butyl sealant or similar material further has the advantage - especially when the second means for attaching is placed in the periphery of the glazing pane - that the material provides an effective barrier against intrusion of water and air and will thereby prevent e.g water vapour to pass through a gap, thus eliminating condensation problems and the window assembly will accordingly have a better insulation value.
In this way the sectional door panel according to the invention will provide a panel, which has a high durability and a high thermal insulation value.
For achieving a particularly good heat insulation of the sectional door panel the window frame is preferably made of a heat insulating material, e.g. wood. In this way undesired thermal bridges in the assembled panel is reduces and in combination with the deformation gaps, to some extend eliminated.
The glazing pane is preferably made of a transparent material, and can therefore be e.g. glass, plastic or acrylics. However, according to the invention the glazing pane can also be completely or partly opaque.
In one embodiment according to the present invention the window frame and the glazing pane can be made from the same material, i.e. if the glazing pane is made of a plastic or an acrylic the window frame is also made of a plastic or an acrylic.
In a preferred embodiment the at least one panel section comprises at least one of an upper panel section, a lower panel section and two side panel sections. Each panel section comprises a first panel end face abutting against a substantially complementary first window frame end face. Said panel sections can in principal have any design and can therefore be constructed individually or dependent on the intended use.
It is however preferred that at least one of the panel sections comprises a recess for accommodating the second means for attaching - preferably placed in proximity to the periphery of the glazing pane. Said recess is made in order to ensure that the contact area between the glazing pane and the at least on panel section is able to flush, thereby preventing any unnecessary shear forces on the glazing pane.
In order to ensure that the window frame and the at least one panel section are able to "float" in relation to each other, but at the same time without compromising the insulation value of the door panel according to the invention, the at least one first panel end face and the at least one first window frame end face, in a complementary manner, have a preferably general M-profile seen in cross-section. This will not only provide an effective barrier against wind and water, but will also ensure that when deformations occur in the panel according to the invention, e.g. due to thermal and mechanical expansion and contraction from temperature changes and wind pressures, the window frame and the panel sections will move alone a kind of guide provided by said M-shaped profile, which substantially prevents deformations crosswise to the sectional door panel, and instead cause substantial all deformations to be located in the longitudinally and/or in the height direction(s). This construction will effectively prevent the formation of openings or cracks in the sectional door panel. The person skilled in the art will understand that the cross-sectional profile can have other shapes or designs within the scope of protection, as long as said profile substantially prevents deformations crosswise to the sectional door panel.
Accordingly it is preferred that the second means for attaching and/or the deformation gab between each of the side panel sections and the window frame is arranged to conform to a deformation in the longitudinally direction of the sectional door panel above 3 mm, preferably above 4 mm and most preferably about 5 mm, as the inventors have discovered that this will meet the deformation demand depending on climatic conditions, seasonal changes and the progression of time.
The inventors have further found that the deformation demands have been meet along the height of the sectional door panel when the second means for attaching and the deformation gab between the upper and/or the lower panel section is arranged to conform to a deformation above 0.4 mm, preferably above 0.6 mm and most preferably about 0.8 mm.
Even though the panel sections can have any design and can therefore be constructed individually or dependent on the intended use, it is preferred that that the upper panel section is arranged such that said section is pivotable relative to the lower panel section of an adjacent sectional door panel, about a pivot axis. In this respect the upper and the lower panel sections can each have a second end face opposite the first panel end face, which in combination provides end faces which are identical or corresponds to a conventional sectional door panel. This allows the panel section according to the invention to be inserted in any known conventional sectional door e.g. by replacing a conventional panel section with the panel section according to the present invention.
Accordingly the second end faces of the upper and the lower panel sections will advantageously comprise at least partly complementary second end faces. It is however preferred for security reasons that the second end faces of the upper and the lower panel sections in combination are arranged as a finger protection assembly, such finger protection are e.g. known from the applicants European Patent no. 1017922 . In this respect the upper and lower panel sections can comprise second end faces corresponding to the corresponding second end faces of the door panels disclosed in EP 1017922 .
In order to provide an decorative and aesthetically pleasing appearance of the sectional door panel it is preferred that the at least one glazing pane has a height and a width substantially corresponding to the height and width of a conventional sectional door panel. It is further preferred that the at least one glazing pane has a height and a width which ensures that said pane extends over both the window frame and the panel sections, such that the window frame and panel sections will be placed behind the glazing pane. It is furthermore preferred that the mutual dimensions of the window frame, panel sections and glazing pane is such that the two sides of the glazing pane will flush with the outer end faces of the side panel sections. In a similar way the glazing pane will flush with the upper and lower panel sections in such a way as when two panel sections are joint together to form at least a part of a sectional door, the two neighbouring glazing panes will preferably be placed at such a distance from each other that the panels sections are hidden behind the glazing panes.
It is to be understood that the sectional door panel according to the invention can have any suitable dimensions and can easily have a width between 1.5 m and 5 m, or any other convenient dimensions, depending on the intended use. If the sectional door panel is to be connected or integrated with a conventional sectional door, the door panel can have identical dimensions to the conventional sectional door panel. Only the technical and practical possibilities in installing and manufacturing the sectional door panel according to the invention may limit the dimensions.
In order to provide a high degree of insulation in the sectional door panel, the window assembly can advantageously comprise more than one glazing pane.
In a very simple embodiment the window assembly comprises two glazing panes, one placed on either side of the window frame via the first means for attaching. Such a construction will exerts a double-glazing effect minimizing heat loss and reducing condensation.
However, an even better insulating effect can be achieved by providing a third glazing pane in the middle of the window frame. In this respect the inside of the window frame can comprise a groove for accommodating the third glazing pane. However the third glazing pane can also be just be welded or melted into the window frame if the window frame is made of a material allowing such an attachment method.
As described earlier the sectional door panel according to the invention is preferably arranged as a floating structure, since it is preferred that the window frame and the at least one panel section are connected only via the at least one glazing pane.
This will further have the advantage that influence provided on the glazing pane facing the outside environment is prevented from directly reaching the warm inside of the building, again providing a superior sectional door panel compared to the conventionally insulated door panels comprising windows.
Said first means for attaching can be any kind of means capable of connecting the glazing pane(s) and the window frame. As one example can be mentioned that the first means for attaching is a strong adhesive, e.g. a double adhesive tape, or a glue or like attachment means.
As an alternative can be mentioned that the glazing panes can be attached to the window frame by a melting and/or welding process, i.e. if the the window frame and glazing pane(s) is connected by melting - either chemically or by application of heat - a section of the window frame and glazing pane such that they will be interconnected when the involved sections cool and/or cure. A similar approach is use for welding.
Combinations of the first means for attaching is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention, e.g. can the first and third glazing pane be attached using melting and the second glazing pane be attached using a double adhesive tape. In these embodiments the first means for attaching will not only ensure that each glazing pane is securely attached to the window frame but also proving a very effective seal against intrusion of water and/or air into the window assembly. The embodiments relating to melting and/or welding are especially preferably when the window frame and the glazing panes are made of the same material, as this provides for very simple and economical embodiments.
It is preferred that the at least one glazing pane is covered by at least one coating and/or film. Said coating or film can be chosen depending on the desired characteristics of the glazing, and can thus comprise at least one of e.g. an anti-scratch or an anti-static coating, a ultraviolet light filter, or for reflecting light from the glazing pane.
It is preferably the glazing pane facing the exterior of the building, which is covered with said coating or film, but can equally well be an interior second glazing or the intermediate third glazing.
When the coating is e.g. frame coating arranged for covering the circumference of the exterior glazing, such a coating has the advantage of providing a means for hiding both the first and the second means for attaching, and when the exterior glazing extend over the window frame in order to cover the at least one panel section, said frame coating will also cover said panel sections and an especially decorative and aesthetically pleasing appearance of the sectional door panel is achieved. The frame coating can have any desired shape and colour, and can cover the circumference of the glazing pane partly or completely.
The present invention further comprises a method of making the sectional door panel according to the invention. Said method comprises the step of

a) providing a window frame,
b) attaching a first glazing pane to said window frame via a first means for attaching, and
c) attaching at least one panel section to said glazing pane via a second means for attaching.

The first glazing pane is securely attached to a first side of the window frame by means of the first means for attaching. When the first means for attaching is a double adhesive tape, said tape is advantageously placed along a section of the circumference of the window frame, and the first glazing pane is then placed on said frame and securely attached to the frame. When the first means for attaching is welding, melting or a combination, the window frame and glazing panes can the be joined together through the use of a fusion welder or similar instrument that melts/welds the area in which the parts are to be attached to each other. Alternatively can a joining material - dissolving glue or welding material - be used, for connecting the window frame and glazing pane(s).
In a similar way a second glazing pane can be securely attached to a second side of the window frame.
A sectional door is typical composed of a number of sectional door panels, each of which is hinged to its adjacent panels allowing the panels to move independently. The door is mounted in a vertical track/guide, which curves at least partly upwardly into a horizontal position so that the door may be opened upwardly and be supported horizontally in an open position.
Within the context of the present invention the term "sectional panel section" means a panel section arranged which either alone or in combination with one or more conventional door panels, can be incorporated into a conventional sectional door or alternatively constitute a sectional door. In this respect each of the sectional door panel are fabricated separately and thereafter hinged together along a longitudinal edge to provide the complete sectional door structure.
The window frame can be made as a unitary piece or alternatively be made of a number of window bars, which readily can be assembled. The first embodiment is preferred when the sectional door panel comprises one or two glazing panes, as each glazing pane simply needs to be attached to each side of the window frame.
However, when e.g. a third glazing pane is to be inserted in the middle of said frame the window frame can advantageously be assembled on location providing an opening into the frame for easy placement of the third glazing pane. The frame can also be prepared for placement of more than three glazing panes, if a higher degree of insulation is required.
An especially high degree of insulation is obtained when the glazing pane(s) is attached to the window frame using welding and/or melting, as this effectively will ensure that each glazing pane is securely attached to the window frame and at the same time proving a very effective seal against intrusion of water and/or air into the window assembly.
The bars of said window frame can be assembled in any convenient manner as long as said frame provides a solid, reliable and sealed/tight structure. The window frame can in an alternative embodiment be either welded and/or melted together if the window frame is made of a material of a convenient material in this respect. Alternatively can the window frame be assembled using conventional snap-engaging means, which is reinforced with screws or nails.
After the glazing panes are attached to the window frame, the panel sections are conveniently attached to the glazing panes via the second means for attaching. In this respect the first end faces of the panel sections is first placed abutting the first end faces of the window frame. The panel sections will then also abut part of the first and second glazing panes.
When the second means for attaching is e.g. a joint butyl sealer sealant said sealer can in an conventional way be injected, e.g. by means of a caulking gun, along an abutment plane between the panel sections and the glazing panes, which abutment plane can be defined by the recess in the panel sections arranged for obtaining the second means for attaching and by the periphery area of the glazing pane. This ensures that the panel sections, and the window frame with the glazing panes are arranged in a floating arrangement as described earlier in this application.
The glazing panes can preferable be covered with at least one coating and/or film, which can be placed on the glazing pane either after the sectional door panel has been assembled and/or before assembly depending on among other things the desired use and the type of coating.
When the coating is e.g. frame coating arranged for covering the circumference of the exterior glazing, such a coating has the advantage of providing a means for hiding both the first and the second means for attaching, and when the exterior glazing extend over the window frame in order to cover the at least one panel section, an especially decorative and aesthetically pleasing appearance of the sectional door panel is achieved.
The invention further relates to a sectional door comprising at least one sectional door panel according to the invention, wherein the sectional door can be assembled and mounted adjacent a building opening in any conventional way. One preferred assembling method is when the sectional door comprises a plurality of sectional door panels according to the invention, and wherein the side panels are adapted to be guided between opposed guide tracks. The sectional door panels are each provided with hinge assemblies including e.g. hinge plate mounted on the upper edge of an upper panel section of a first sectional panel, and a cooperating hinge plate mounted on the lower panel section of an adjacent panel, such that each panel can be pivotally connected to an adjacent panel by means of said hinge assemble. One panel may be placed between the guide tracks and suitably supported while the next panel is assembled to the already positioned panel by placing the next panel between the guide tracks and moving it vertically downward to engage the hinge plates on the respective panels.
The rate of heat loss of a window, i.e. the windows thermal conductivity, is indicated in terms of the U-coefficient (U-value/U-factor). The lower the U-coefficient, the greater a window's resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating properties.
As will be evident from the following experiments, a sectional door panel according to the invention has a significant lower U-coefficient compared to a conventional insulated sectional door panel.
In the experiments the dimensions of the sectional door panel according the invention and the convention door panel are identical, and each panel have a height about 67,5 cm, a length about 5 m and a depth of 4.5 cm.
The conventional door panel is an insulating panel constructed of an aluminum or steel shell with a polyurethane-foam in the middle. The door panel according to the invention is of the kind comprising two glazing panes of the dimensions 67 cm x 5 m. The middle glazing pane is smaller in order for said pane to be inserted in the window frame. The thickness of the exterior glazing pane is 4 mm and the thickness of the interior and the middle glazing pane is 3 mm. Said panes are all made of acrylic. The first means for attaching is a double adhesive and the second means for attaching is a butyl sealant.
The U-coefficients of the sectional door panels can be seen in table 1. Table 1

Sectional door panel U-coefficient: W/m²K

Conventional 3.00

According to the invention 1.76
The above sectional door panels can be used for assembling a sectional door according to the invention, comprising four sectional door panels according to the invention, flanked at the top and bottom by two conventional insulated sectional door panels.
The sectional door according to the invention is compared to a conventional door assembled from four conventional door panels comprising conventional windows, flanked at the top and bottom by two insulated sectional door panels.
The U-coefficients of the sectional doors can be seen in table 2. Table 2

Sectional door U-coefficient: W/m²K

Conventional (aluminum) 2.92

Invention (aluminum) 1.73

Conventional (steel) 2.82

Invention (steel) 1.62
The total height of an assembled door is 4 m, providing a surface area of 20 m². Of said surface area the glazing panes account for 11.5 m², i.e. the door according to the invention will provide a transparent surface 57.5 % of the total surface area and have a lower U-coefficient than the conventional insulated doors. The invention will be explained in greater detail below, describing only exemplary embodiments of the sectional door panel with reference to the drawing, in which

Fig. 1 shows a sectional door according to the invention,
Fig. 2 shows a sectional door panel according to the invention,
Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the sectional door panel shown in fig. 2,
Fig. 4 shows two sections of the sectional door panel in fig. 2 seen from the outside,
Fig. 5 shows two sections of the sectional door panel in fig. 2 seen from the inside,
Fig. 6 shows in a larger scale the attachment of the glazing panes and the upper and lower panel sections to the window frame, and
Fig. 7 shows in a larger scale the attachment of the glazing panes and the side panel sections to the window frame.

Fig. 1 shows a sectional door 1 according to the invention mounted adjacent an opening in a building (not shown). Said sectional door comprises three sectional door panels 2 according to the invention flanked by two conventional sectional door panels 2'. Said conventional sectional doors panels 2' are insulated foamed panels. Each sectional door panel 2 comprises a window assembly 3 and a panel section 4.
Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of a sectional door panel 2 according to the invention. As can be seen in this figure the panel section 4 is divided into an upper panel section 5, a lower panel section 6 and two side panel sections 7 and 8, respectively. The upper panel section 5 has an end face 9 which is at least partly complementary to an end face 10 of the lower panel section 6, such that the two end faces 9 and 10 are mutually arranged for ensuring that the upper panel section 5 is pivotable relative to an adjacent lower panel section 6, about a pivot axis.
It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the specific construction of the end faces 9 and 10 can have any desired design, and that said end faces thereby can be arranged such that the sectional door panels can be used together with other e.g. conventional sectional door panels. In this respect it will be extremely easy and simple to provide a window assembly in any conventional sectional door, without having to, as in the prior art, make a cut-out in the sectional door panel 2 and insert a window in said cut-out. However, the sectional door panels 2 can also be used to assembly a complete sectional door 1 only using the sectional door panels 2 according to the invention.
Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the sectional door panel 2 shown in fig. 2, in which the window assembly 3 comprises an exterior glazing pane 11, an interior glazing pane 12, a third middle glazing pane 13, and a window frame 14. In the present case the window frame 14, is made of four window bars, 15, 16, 17 and 18, which are arranged for being assembled into a mainly rectangular window frame 14.
The inner face 19 of the window frame 14 comprises a groove 20, which is arranged for accommodating the third glazing pane 13, and into which said pane 13 can be inserted during assembly of the frame 14. As an example in this respect can be mentioned that the lower window bar 15 can be connected to the two side window bars 16 and 18, providing an intermediate U-shaped window frame into which the third glazing pane 13 can be inserted and guided via the groove 20. When the third glazing pane 13 is securely in place the top window bar 17 can be connected to the intermediate U-shaped window frame, and a resulting window frame 14 with an intermediate glazing pane 13 is provided.
The exterior and interior glazing pane 11 and 12 is then respectively connected to the outer surface 21 and inner surface 22 of the window frame 14 by means of a first means for attaching 23 (shown in figs. 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b), which in the present case is an adhesive tape. However, within the context of the present invention the glazing panes can also be attached to the window frame by either melting and/or welding. In these embodiments the first means for attaching will not only ensure that each glazing pane is securely attached to the window frame but also proving a very effective seal against intrusion of water and/or air into the window assembly. The embodiments relating to melting and/or welding are especially preferably when the window frame and the glazing panes are made of the same material, as this provides for very simple and economical embodiments.
The panel sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 are thereafter connected to the interior and exterior glazing panes 11, 12, by means of a second means for attaching 24 (shown in fig. 6a, 6b), which in the present case is a butyl sealant.
Accordingly a sectional door panel 2 is provided that allows the glazing panes 11, 12 and 13 to "float" via the second means for attaching 24 on the window frame 14, thereby ensuring that the assembled sectional door panel 2 is capable of either counteracting or adapting to the thermal and mechanical expansion and contraction said sectional door panel 2 is subjected to, from temperature changes, wind pressures, seasonal changes and the progression of time. This is e.g. due to the fact that stresses and shear forces will not be transferred directly to e.g. an opposing glazing pane or directly between the window frame 14 and the panel sections 4, thereby allowing stress and movement to occur in a manner that diminishes the full load of such forces on the glazing panes, preventing said panes from breaking or tearing.
In the embodiment shown in fig. 3 the glazing pane 11 facing the exterior of the building is covered by an anti-scratch coating 25 and a frame coating 26. In the present embodiment the coatings 25 and 26 are individually coatings but could within the scope of protection be combined into a single coating. Correspondingly each glazing pane can be coated with one or more coatings, depending on the characteristics desired of the glazing and window assembly.
The frame coating 26 is arranged for covering the circumference 27 of the exterior glazing 11, and will therefore hide any visible parts on the panel sections 4 in the assembled sectional door 2, such that each sectional panel section 2 is presented as a unitary piece showing only the glazing pane 11 and the frame coating 26. Thereby is it according to the invention possible to achieve an especially decorative and aesthetically pleasing appearance of the sectional door panel 2, and accordingly a sectional door 1.
In fig. 4a can be seen the top right corner of the exterior side of the sectional door panel 2 in an assembled manner and fig. 4b shows the same of the exterior lower right corner of the sectional door panel 2. In fig. 5a can be seen the top left corner of the inner side of the sectional door panel 2 and in fig. 5b can be seen the inner lower left corner of the sectional door panel 2.
The way the sectional door panel 2 is constructed and assembled is shown in more detail in fig. 6 and 7. Fig. 6a and 6b is respectively a cross section of the upper and lower part of the panel section shown in fig. 2 taken along the lines II.
As is evident from said figures, the exterior and interior glazing panes 11 and 12 are connected to the window frame 14 via the first means for attaching 23, e.g. a double adhesive tape, a melting process or a welding process or a combination of these In the situation shown in the figures both the exterior and the interior glazing pane 11, and 12 is covered with a frame coating 26.
The upper panel section 5 and the lower panel section 6 are further connected to the glazing pane 11 via a second means for attaching 24. In the embodiment shown the second means for attaching is a butyl sealant and a small recess 27 is made in the upper and lower panel sections in order to provide a space for placement of the second means for attaching 24. Said second means for attaching is accordingly placed along an abutment plane between the panel sections 5, 6 and the glazing panes 11, which abutment plane can be defined by the recess in the panel sections arranged for obtaining the second means for attaching and by the periphery area of the glazing pane. This ensures that the panel sections, and the window frame with the glazing panes are arranged in a floating arrangement as described earlier in this application.
As can be seen in both fig. 6a and 6b, the window frame 14 and the panel sections 5 and 6 are able to "float" in relation to each other, as a small deformation gap 28 is provided between the window frame 14 and the panel sections 5 and 6, providing room for allowing the respective parts to move in relation to any expansion and contraction said door panel 2 is subjected to, e.g. from climatic changes.
In the present case the gap 28 is about 0.8 mm, however other sizes of the deformation space are contemplated and will depend on e.g. the climate the sectional door is subjected to after mounting. A sectional door in e.g. Greece will be subjected to a different climate than a sectional door in Denmark, and the size of the deformation space can be selected depending on the different conditions and requirements for the door.
In fig. 6b is shown an arm 29, which in the present embodiment is part of the lower panel section 6. Said arm is provided as reinforcement means in order to meet impact forces from e.g. the wind.
The window frame 14 comprises a groove 20 for placement of said third glazing pane 13. In the present embodiment the third glazing pane 13 is releasable placed in said groove in the window frame 14, however said pane 13 could in a different embodiment be held in place by e.g. a convenient adhesive.
The window frame 14 comprises a first end face 30, which has a general M-shaped profile. Correspondingly each panel section 5 and 6 has a complementary first end face 31 the first end face 30, where the end faces 30 and 31 are arranged for realisably engaging each other. In this way when the panel section 5 is assembled the two end faces 30 and 31 will jointly provide an effective barrier against wind and water, and will also ensure that when deformations occur in the door panel 2 due to thermal and mechanical expansion and contraction from temperature changes and wind pressures, the window frame and the panel sections will move along a kind of guide, substantially preventing deformations crosswise of the sectional door panel 2, and instead cause substantial all deformations to be located in the longitudinally direction. This construction will effectively prevent the formation of openings or cracks in the door panel and/or window assembly. The person skilled in the art will understand that the cross-sectional profiles of said two end faces 30 and 31 can have other shapes or designs as long as said profile substantially prevents deformations crosswise to the sectional door panel 2.
In a similar manner to fig 6a and 6b the two figures 7a and 7b show how the side panel sections 7 and 8 are connected to the glazing panes 11 and 12 and to the window frame 14.
As can be seen in said figures the deformation space 32 between the side panel sections 7, 8 and the window frame 14 is larger than the deformation gap 28 between the upper and lower panel sections 5 and 6 and the window frame 14. In this embodiment the deformation space 32 along the height of the panel section is about 5 mm, however as for the longitudinal deformation gap 28, said space can be individually selected.
Modifications and combinations of the above principles and designs are foreseen within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A sectional door panel (2) comprising a window assembly (3) and at least one panel section (4), said window assembly (3) comprises at least one glazing pane (11,12) attached to a window frame (14) via a first means for attaching (23), said at least one glazing pane (11,12) is further attached to the at least one panel section (4) via a second means for attaching (24), which is arranged to conform to dimensional changes in the sectional door panel (2).
A sectional door panel (2) according to claim 1, wherein a deformation gap (28,32) is provided between the at least one panel section (4) and the window frame (14).
A sectional door panel (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the window frame (14) and the at least one panel section (4) are connected only via the at least one glazing pane (11,12).
A sectional door panel (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first means for attaching (23) is a double adhesive tape, a welding process, a melting process or any combination of said first means for attaching (23).
A sectional door panel (2) according any of the preceding claims, wherein the second means for attaching (24) is a resilient material, e.g. a butyl sealant.
A sectional door panel (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one panel section (4) comprises at least one of an upper panel section (5), a lower panel section (6) and a side panel section (7,8), each of which comprises a first panel end face (31) abutting against a substantially complementary first window frame end face (30).
A sectional door panel (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first panel end face (31) and the at least one first window frame end face (30) a general M-profil seen in cross-section.
A sectional door panel (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second means for attaching (24) and/or the deformation gap (32) between each of the side panel sections (7,8) and the window frame (14) is arranged to conform to a deformation above 3 mm, preferably above 4 mm and most preferably about 5 mm.
A sectional door panel (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second means for attaching (24) and/or the deformation gap (28) between the upper and/or the lower panel section (5,6) is arranged to conform to a deformation above 0.4 mm, preferably above 0.6 mm and most preferably about 0.8 mm.
A sectional door panel (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one panel section (4) comprises a recess (27) for accommodating the second means for attaching (24), said recess is placed in proximity to the periphery of the glazing pane.
A method of making the sectional door panel according to any of the claim 1 - 10, said method comprises the follow steps:
a) providing a window frame (14),

b) attaching a first glazing pane (11) to said window frame (14) via a first means for attaching (23), and

c) attaching at least one panel section (5,6,7,8) to said glazing pane (11,12) via a second means for attaching (24) .
The method according to claim 11, wherein the method comprises attaching a second glazing pane (12) to the window frame (14) via the first means for attaching (23), preferably before step b.
A sectional door (1) comprising at least one sectional door panel (2) according to any of the claims 1 - 10.
A method of assembling a section door (1) according to claim 13, comprising a number of sectional door panels (2) each of which is hinged to its adjacent panels (2) along a longitudinal edge allowing the panels (2) to move independently.
Use of the sectional door (1) according to claim 13, wherein the sectional door (1) is used as a garage door