EP3187674A1

EP3187674A1 - Sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights

Info

Publication number: EP3187674A1
Application number: EP17152861.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frederico Ferreira; Miguel Luis Faria Correia
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Ecosteel SA
Priority date: 2016-01-26
Filing date: 2017-01-24
Publication date: 2017-07-05
Anticipated expiration: 2037-01-24
Also published as: ES2797926T3; PT3187674T; EP3187674B1

Abstract

The present invention refers to a sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights, that allows the windows, doors or skylights to slide without great physical effort, has a "zero-zero" level to the surface of the finishing materials of the building in which it is installed, and has an excellent waterproof and airproof performance. The system comprises bearings support profiles (3) installed inside the frames of the structure (2) that are inside the construction materials. The bearings support profiles (3) comprises a substantially horizontal surface of the "T" of the bearings support profile (3.1) that includes horizontal grooves (3.2). The bearings support profiles (3) also comprise chambers (3.4) where the detachable runners (7) are inserted, and tracks (3.5) that include sealers (6) and vertical grooves. A profile "H" (5), which supports the filling panel (10), is adjacent to the bearings support profiles (3), and includes saliences (5.1) and tracks for rollers (5.2). The detachable runners (7) include vertical rollers (8) and horizontal rollers (9).

Description

Scope of the invention

The present invention refers to a sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights.

State of the art

The sliding systems of the "minimalist" segment, of aluminium frames, and even in other types of materials (iron, stainless steel, bronze, PVC, wood, fiberglass, pultruded fibres, etc.), which comprise the use of profiles with reduced dimensions and in the reach of glazed spaces with great dimensions, are usually constituted by frames which allow their installation to be substantially levelled with the surface of the pavement material (interior and exterior), allowing the visual continuation between the interior and the exterior, as well as the free passage without a raised face between both spaces.
Regardless of the success of this type of frames in the contemporary architecture field, justified by the aesthetical preference by the architects for large glazed spaces and with maximal absence of profiles, such fact does not mean that these systems are technically efficient.
The solutions available nowadays have disadvantages, in the permeability performance to water and air. These disadvantages occur because of the following factors:

1) Permeability to water and air:
1. a) Systems composed by profiles which favour reduced dimensions, but that, because of that same characteristic, are restrictive in regards to the incorporation of efficient solutions of sealing and permeability;
2. b) Systems which allow the installation of the frames substantially levelled with the surface of the finishing materials of the building, interior and exterior, which enables the entry of water and air;
3. c) Systems in which the profile that sustains the filler panel is the same which allows the sheet to slide on the rollers and that, because of their simplified design, is raised to the upper level of the referred rollers, and it is the space between the profile of the sheet and "bearing support" profile, that allows the entrance of water and air;
4. d) Systems which are not provided with efficient sealers, plush or other elements which allow to enhance the sealing and permeability performance, but lead to difficulties in the opening of the heavy sheet because of the friction they make, which is the reason why they are not used;
2) A single system which encompasses windows, doors and skylights and that has greater stability:
1. a) There is no solution in the market which allows the use of sliding windows or doors with multiple possibility to be used in a regular position (vertical), but in the horizontal and oblique position (skylights) as well;
3) The true "zero-zero" level applied to all profiles:
1. a) Even though the minimalist systems promise a "zero-zero" level referring to the possibility of levelling all of the window frame with the surface of the interior and exterior building materials, in reality such does not happen completely. That surface levelling only happens in the small borders of the upper frames, while the remaining profiles known as "bearings support" profiles remain lowered relative to the surface of the finishing materials.

Several patent documents which refer sliding systems with rollers for windows, doors and skylights were detected.
A system that is present in the marker nowadays is described in document EP2361339 , which discloses a frame for doors or windows which include fixed frames and mobile frames which support the glass and slide laterally through rollers. However, the system described in this document differs from the system of the present invention because it does not have a "zero-zero" level relative to the surface of the finishing materials, and the rollers are integrated in the mobile frames.
The document DE202009010998 describes a system for the horizontal sliding of windows to be installed in slopped roofs, and that includes a runner with rollers fixed to the runner by means of screws. One of the rollers is aligned parallel to the roof plane, while the other roller is aligned perpendicular to the roof plane. The invention described in this document differs from the present invention in the sense that the rollers are not associated with a detachable runner, but are present in a runner that is aggregated to the frame structure.
The document EP2093364 refers to a runner that is fixed to a frame by means of fixation, and which includes vertical rollers and a bearings support profile which only supports vertical rollers. The bearings support profile described in this document is not substantially levelled with the surface of the construction materials.

Advantages of the invention

The present invention aims to solve three great technical disadvantages usually common in the referred systems of minimalist frames, being:

a) the low waterproof and airproof performance;
b) the difficulty in using a single and efficient system that encompasses sliding windows, doors and skylights;
c) rendering the profiles that incorporate it, to an integral "zero-"zero" level, which means, substantially levelled to the surface of the finishing materials of the interior and exterior, solving the problem of waste accumulation and all the problems that it causes.

Another advantage, since the profiles are substantially levelled to the surface of the finishing materials of the interior and exterior, is that the accumulation of waste in the frames is reduced, and is easily removed.
The sliding system for sliding windows and doors of the present invention allows the window sheet to slide without great physical effort, and that even though it allows the frame profile to the surface of the finishing materials of the building in which it is installed, the window or door still has an excellent waterproof and airproof performance, which is superior to the minimalist sliding frames currently on the marker. Furthermore, and still important, the present invention allows not only the use of sheets in substantially vertical planes (common position), but also in substantially horizontal or oblique planes (skylights).
The use of horizontal rollers, is not only advantageous for windows or doors in substantially horizontal or oblique (skylights) positions, but it also gives an exceptional stability to the glazed sheets when subject to wind pressure. In its vertical position, if the window or door is subject to high wind pressure, it will be stabilized not only by the profile "H", that by its shape and design secures the sheet to the window frame, but also by the horizontal rollers. Therefore, the rollers do not hinder the opening of the window or door sheet, on the contrary, the more wind the window or door is exposed to, the easier it will be to open the window or door.
Since the rollers are installed in a detachable runner, as described in the present invention, there is no need to drill the frame to insert the rollers. The system also has the advantage of having a detachable runner, which besides facilitating the manufacturing process of the system - it is a system created by injection mould - facilitates its substitution by the final user, which means if there is any problem with the roller, the user can easily substitute the runner.
Taking into consideration that the system of the present invention will have a lower and upper use, the implemented solution also has aesthetical benefits, since unlike the systems already in the market, both the lower frame and the upper frame, as well as the bearings supporter profiles that incorporate it, are substantially levelled with the interior and exterior finishing materials.

Brief description of the figures

The characteristics of the present invention can easily be understood through the figures annexed, and should be considered as mere examples and not restrictive of the scope of the invention. In the figures, and for illustrative purposes, the measures of some of the elements might be exaggerated and not drawn to scale. The absolute dimensions and relative dimensions do not correspond to the real ratios for the performance of the invention.

In figure 1 is represented a vertical section referring to a minimalist sliding window, current system, in which the "zero-zero" level is not integral to the lower level nor the upper level.
Figure 2 shows the same window system with the adapted sliding system with all profiles substantially levelled.
Figure 3 shows the vertical section of the sliding system.
Figure 4 shows an exploded isometric view of the sliding system assembly.
Figure 5 shows a perspective of the sliding system.
In figure 6 is represented an isometric of the assembly of the runner in the bearings support profile.
Figure 7 shows an isometric of the assembly of the rollers in the runner.

The elements and components from the system of the present invention are signalled in the figures: finishing material (1), surface of the finishing material (1.1), frame of the structure (2), bearings support profile (3), substantially horizontal surface of the "T" of the bearings support profile (3.1), horizontal grooves (3.2), vertical grooves (3.3), chamber (3.4), track (3.5), profile "U" (4), profile "H" (5), salience (5.1), track for rollers (5.2), sealer (6), detachable runner (7), vertical roller (8), horizontal roller (9), filler panel (10), spindle of the roller (11).
In the figures it is still visible the surface of the interior profile of the frame (2.1).

Detailed description of the invention

The term "structure" defines any set constituted by the frame of the sheet and by the filler panel, which form a window, a door or a skylight.
By filler panel it is understood the panel located between the sheet frames which can be, namely but not limited to, made of glass, aluminium or polypropylene.
By "substantially vertical", "substantially horizontal", "substantially levelled", "substantially adjacent", "substantially parallel", "lateral surface", "lower surface", "upper surface", should be understood as the preferential positions for the realization of the invention. These positions are perceived by an observer standing in front of the structure in its common position, which is to say in a substantially vertical plane, even though the invention can work in other positions.
One system currently in the market, as shown in figure 1, comprises the frames of the structure (2), inserted in the lower and upper finishing material (1) of the building. This system includes a bearing support profile (3), with a substantially "U" shape, and it is inserted in the lower frame of the structure (2). This bearings support profile (3) has vertical rollers (8) which are fixed, and go through, the profile. A profile "U" (4), in which the filler panel (10) is inserted, is substantially adjacent to the bearings support profile (3) and is in contact with the vertical rollers (8). A portion of the profile "U" (4) and the filler panel (10) enter inside the frame of the structure (2). The profile "U" (4) slides in a substantially horizontal direction, substantially parallel relative to the bearings support profile (3), due to the vertical rollers (8).
In the case of the present invention, and according to figures 2 and 3, the system presented comprises frames of the structure (2) inserted in the lower and upper finishing material (1) of the building. Additionally, the system of the present invention comprises bearings support profiles (3) which include a track (3.5) that comprises sealers (6), and that includes at least one detachable runner (7) which contains rollers (8) (9), which are in contact with the profile "H" (5) that includes the filler panel (10).
In one embodiment, shown in figure 3, the detachable runner (7) inserted in the bearings support profile (3) that is located in the upper surface of the structure, includes horizontal rollers (9). The detachable runner (7) inserted in the bearings support profile (3) located in the lower surface of the structure, includes vertical rollers (8) and horizontal rollers (9), granting easier opening and total stability to the window, even when subject to extreme wind conditions.
According to figures 4, 6 and 7, the detachable runner (7) is provided with at least a horizontal roller (9) and/or at least one vertical roller (8), which are attached to the detachable runner (7) through the spindle of the roller (11).
As shown in figures 3 to 6, the bearings support profile (3) of the present invention is a structure with a substantially "T" shape with lateral surfaces, and that has tracks (3.5) in the lateral faces. Sealers (6), namely but not exclusively plush or compacts, are installed in the track (3.5). The track (3.5) has vertical grooves (3.3) which allow the passage of the horizontal roller (9), as shown in figure 6. The substantially horizontal surface of the "T" of the bearings support profile (3.1) has horizontal grooves (3.2) which allow the passage of the vertical roller (8), as shown in figures 4 to 6.
According to figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, the system of the present invention has detachable runners (7) that are inserted in the chambers (3.4) of the bearings support profile (3).
After the detachable runners (7) are inserted in the chambers (3.4), the bearings support profile (3) is installed inside the frame of the structure (2) in order to be substantially levelled with the surface of the finishing materials (1.1). As shown in figure 2, the shape of the bearings support profile (3) allows the substantially horizontal surface of the "T" of the bearings support profile (3.1) to be substantially adjacent to the frame of the structure (2), and substantially levelled with the surface of the finishing materials (1.1).
The profile "H" (5), which supports the filler panel (10), is installed substantially adjacent to the bearings support profile (3), as shown in figures 5 and 6.
The profile "H" (5) is a structure with a substantially "H" shape, as shown in figures 3 to 5. The lateral surfaces of the profile "H" (5) have substantially horizontal saliences (5.1) located on the end of the lateral surface in the side that includes the track for rollers (5.2), and which are substantially parallel to the track (3.5) of the bearings support profile (3). The sealers (6) installed in the track (3.5) enhance the insulation, preventing the passage of wind and water through the space between the bearings support profile (3) and the profile "H" (5).
If the bearings support profiles (3) have horizontal rollers (9), these are in contact with the lateral surfaces of the profile "H" (5), granting total stability to the structure, even when subject to extreme wind conditions, or when the structure is in a vertical or oblique position. The profile "H" (5) also includes at least one track for rollers (5.2) which contact with the vertical rollers (8) and allow the sliding of the profile "H" (5). Due to the presence of rollers in the detachable runner (7), the profile "H" (5) moves in a substantially horizontal direction and substantially parallel in relation to the bearings support profile (3).
Since the profile "H" (5) is substantially adjacent to the substantially horizontal surface of the "T" of the bearings support profile (3.1), which is substantially levelled with the surface of the finishing material (1.1), and the lateral surfaces of the profile "H" (5) are beyond the surface of the finishing material (1.1), there is lower permeability to the weather conditions.

Claims

Sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights that comprises frames of the structure (2) inserted in the finishing material (1), filling panel (10), wherein
the profiles being substantially levelled with the surface of the finishing materials (1.1),
and including:
- at least one profile "H" (5) that integrates the filling panel (10), which comprises:
- a salience (5.1),

- a track for rollers (5.2),

adjacent to:
- a bearings support profile (3), which comprises:
- an horizontal groove (3.2),

- a vertical groove (3.3),

- a chamber (3.4),

- a track (3.5),
to which is attached
- at least one detachable runner (7), which comprises:
- at least one vertical roller (8); or

- at least one horizontal roller (9); or

- at least one vertical roller (8) and one horizontal roller (9).
Sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights, according to claim 1, wherein the vertical roller (8) and the horizontal roller (9) being fixed to the detachable runner (7) by means of the spindle of the roller (11).
Sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights, according to the previous claims, wherein the detachable runner (7) being inserted in the chamber (3.4) of the bearings support profile (3).
Sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights, according to the previous claims, wherein the substantially horizontal surface of the "T" of the bearings support profile (3.1) including zero or more horizontal grooves (3.2).
Sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights, according to the previous claims, wherein the horizontal grooves (3.2) giving passage to the vertical rollers (8).
Sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights, according to the previous claims, wherein the track (3.5) including zero or more vertical grooves (3.3).
Sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights, according to the previous claims, wherein the vertical grooves (3.3) of the track (3.5) giving passage to the horizontal rollers (9).
Sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights, according to the previous claims, wherein the track (3.5) including sealers (6).
Sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights, according to the previous claims, wherein the profile "H" (5) including at least one salience (5.1).
Sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights, according to the previous claims, wherein the salience (5.1) being substantially parallel to the track (3.5).
Sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights, according to the previous claims, wherein the profile "H" (5) including tracks for rollers (5.2).
Sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights, according to the previous claims, wherein the track for rollers (5.2) being in contact with the vertical rollers (8).
Sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights, according to the previous claims, wherein the profile "H" (5) being substantially adjacent to the substantially horizontal surface of the T" of the bearings support profile (3.1).
Sliding system with rollers for sliding windows, doors and skylights, according to the previous claims, wherein the lateral surfaces of the profile "H" (5) being in contact with sealers (6) and at least one horizontal roller (9).