EP3859120A1

EP3859120A1 - A screening arrangement for a skylight window, a skylight window comprising such a screening arrangement, and a method of installing a screening arrangement in a skylight window

Info

Publication number: EP3859120A1
Application number: EP20210441.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Beatrice Angel; Allan Dalsgaard Hestbæk
Original assignee: VKR Holding AS
Current assignee: VKR Holding AS
Priority date: 2020-02-03
Filing date: 2020-11-27
Publication date: 2021-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-27
Also published as: EP3783163B1; EP3783163A1; DK3859120T3; EP3859120B1

Abstract

The screening arrangement (50) comprises a screening device (60) and a suspension device (70). The suspension device (70) comprises the means for connecting the screening device (60) to a skylight window (1) in that flanges (71, 72, 73, 74) of the suspension device (70) are associated to and protrude from the top casing (61), the side rail(s) (63, 64) and/or the bottom profile (62) to define a line of contact (LC1, LC2, LC3, LC4) located outside the outer perimeter of the screening device (60).

Description

Technical Field

The invention relates to a screening arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention furthermore relates to a skylight window comprising such a screening arrangement.

Background Art

Screening arrangements must fulfil different requirements depending on whether they are installed in a façade window, i.e. in a substantially vertical position, or in an inclined or even horizontal surface such as a roof.
Not only are screening arrangements for roof windows configured to take into account the effects of gravity due to the resulting force being out of the general plane of the roof window, but the mounted position itself, on a roof, puts large demands to the components of the external screening arrangement.
In known prior art screening arrangements, mounting of the screening device may be cumbersome. This is also the case in skylight windows having a weather shield on top of a window portion. While screening of the opening of the skylight window is typically desirable, the restricted space available between the weather shield and the skylight window makes the design of the screening arrangement challenging.

Summary of Invention

With this background, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a screening arrangement, by which the manufacture and mounting is facilitated while at the same time, appropriate screening is obtained.
In a first aspect, this and further objects are achieved by a screening arrangement of the kind mentioned in the introduction, which is furthermore characterised in that the screening arrangement furthermore comprises a suspension device connected to or connectable to the screening device and comprising the means for connecting the screening device to the skylight window, and that the suspension device comprises a plurality of flanges connected to or connectable to at least the top casing and at least one of the two side rails and/or the bottom profile of the screening device, each flange of said plurality of flanges defining at least one line of contact configured to cooperate with a corresponding component of the skylight window in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement, each flange of said plurality of flanges being configured to protrude from the respective one of the top casing and the two side rails such that the lines of contact are positioned to the outer side of an outer perimeter of the screening device in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement.
By providing the means for connection to the skylight window in the suspension device rather than in the screening device itself, the layout of the screening device is rendered more flexible as functionalities relating to the mounting of the screening arrangement to the skylight window are located within the suspension device. At the same time, the mounting process is facilitated, and the utilisation of the space is improved. Forming the suspension device with two or more flanges associated to and protruding from at least the top casing and one other component of the screening device is a simple yet reliable solution. The provision of well-defined lines contact makes it possible to provide easy installation and a stable support in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement.
In a presently preferred embodiment, the outer perimeter of the screening device is defined by an outer side of the top casing and an outer side of each of the two side rails and optionally by an outer side of the bottom profile. In this way, a compact configuration of the screening device is achieved, since no parts extend beyond this perimeter at the outer periphery.
In principle, the suspension device may be present only at two components. However, in a presently preferred embodiment, flanges of the suspension device are associated to each of the two side rails and to a bottom profile in addition to the top casing. This provides for a particularly stable connection between the screening arrangement and the skylight window.
To improve the retention of the screening arrangement on the skylight window, at least one of the flanges of the suspension device comprises a depending hook near an outer end of the respective flange. In the mounted condition, the screening device is thus secured in place by the positive engagement provided by the hook and a support provided on the skylight window. The form of the support depends on the skylight window, but is typically in the form of an upstanding section, an edge portion or even a track.
In another embodiment at least one of the flanges comprises a gasket in the area of the line of contact. This provides for improved tightness, but also sound-dampening and protection of the parts involved.
Preferably, at least one of the flanges is substantially plane, which reduces the height of the suspension device itself. Alternatively, one or more flanges have a curved shape defining an apex corresponding to the line of contact of the flange, which is an easy way of ensuring stability in the contact between the suspension device and the support provided by the skylight window in the mounted condition.
In one embodiment, at least one of the flanges is substantially flush with an exterior side of the respective component of the screening device, i.e. the top casing and/or the side rail(s) and/or the bottom profile.
In a presently preferred embodiment, however, at least one flange is displaced to the exterior relative to an exterior side of the top casing and/or the side rail(s) and/or the bottom profile. In this way, additional space is provided to the exterior of the screening device itself. This is of particular importance when the screening arrangement is to be installed in a skylight window having a weather shield with a substantially plane pane, and is of even larger importance when the screening device is provided with a solar panel and possibly other appliances on for instance the top casing.
In an advantageous further development of this presently preferred embodiment, the at least one flange displaced to the exterior comprises an upstanding leg near an inner end of the respective flange to form a transition to the exterior side of the component in question, that is the top casing, the side rail(s) and/or the bottom profile. This provides for an optimum utilisation of the space needed for the screening arrangement.
In principle, the suspension device may be formed separately from the screening device and only attached to it at the installation site. This may take place by suitable attachment means such as screws, interlocking elements etc.
In a presently preferred embodiment however, the suspension device is connected integrally to the screening device such that each flange is formed in one piece with the respective component, i.e. the top casing, the side rail(s) and/or the bottom profile. This provides for a particularly easy manufacture and sufficient sturdiness during installation and use.
In a second aspect, this and further objects are met by the provision of a skylight window comprising such a screening arrangement.
In a third aspect, a method of installing the screening arrangement in a skylight window is devised.
Other presently preferred embodiments and further advantages will be apparent from the subsequent detailed description and drawings.
A feature described in relation to one of the aspect may also be incorporated in the other aspect, and the advantage of the feature is applicable to all aspects in which it is incorporated.

Brief Description of Drawings

For exemplifying purposes, the invention will be described in closer detail in the following with reference to embodiments thereof illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a screening arrangement in a first embodiment of the invention;
Figs 2 and 3 are perspective views of screening arrangements in other embodiments of the invention;
Fig. 4 is a perspective, partially sectioned view of a screening arrangement in the first embodiment of the invention installed in a skylight window mounted in a roof structure;
Fig. 5 is a perspective, partially sectioned view of a screening arrangement in another embodiment of the invention installed in a skylight window mounted in a roof structure;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the screening arrangement and skylight window of Fig. 5;
Figs 7 to 9 are partial perspective views of the top casing, the side rail and the bottom profile of the screening arrangement in embodiments of the invention;
Figs 10 to 12 are sectional views of the details of Figs 7 to 9;
Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a cord system of the screening arrangement in an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 14 is a schematic sideview of the suspension device and the top casing of the screening device in an embodiment of the screening arrangement according to the invention;
Figs 15a to 15c are schematic side views of alternative embodiments of the top casing;
Figs 16a to 16c are schematic side views of the suspension device and the top casing of the screening device in alternative embodiments of the screening arrangement according to the invention;
Figs 17a and 17b are schematic side views of alternative embodiments of the side rail;
Figs 18a and 18 are schematic side views of alternative embodiments of the bottom profile;
Fig. 19 is a sectional view of a skylight window suitable for installation of a screening arrangement according to the invention; and
Fig. 20 is an exploded sectional view of the skylight window of Fig. 19 with a screening arrangement in an embodiment of the invention.

Description of Embodiments

In the following detailed description, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, it is to be understood that features of the different embodiments are exchangeable between the embodiments and may be combined in different ways, unless anything else is specifically indicated. It may also be noted that, for the sake of clarity, the dimensions of certain components illustrated in the drawings may differ from the corresponding dimensions in real-life implementations.
It is noted that terms such as "up", "down", "left-hand", "right-hand", "exterior", "interior", "outer", "inner" are relative and refers to the viewpoint in question.

Figs 1 to 4

Referring initially to Figs 1 and 4, a first embodiment of a screening arrangement 50 is shown. The screening arrangement 50 is configured to be installed in a skylight window 1 installed in an inclined or flat roof 2 of a building to cover an opening 1a of the skylight window 1 in a mounted condition of the screening arrangement 50. By the term skylight window is in principle meant any window suitable for being installed in a roof. By flat roof is generally meant roofs having an inclination of 0 to 5° and by inclined roofs inclinations larger than 5°, for instance up to 45° or 65°.
The screening arrangement 50 comprises a screening device 60 including a top casing 61 and a screening body 65 having two side edges, a first end portion and a second end portion. The screening body 65 is movable in a longitudinal direction between a non-screening position, in which the screening body 65 is substantially accommodated in the top casing 61, and a number of screening positions in which the screening body 65 is deployed from the top casing 61 and covers the opening partially or entirely. The screening body 65 may take the form of a flexible cloth which is rolled up when accommodated in the top casing and is substantially plane when rolled out in a deployed screening position, but may also be for instance a pleated blind, being folded up when accommodated, or a Venetian blind or other screens including a number of lamellas forming the screening body and which are collected when accommodated in the top casing. The screening body may be opaque to form a darkening or blackout blind or admit a certain amount of incoming light in the screening position, for instance as in an awning blind. Regardless of the configuration, the screening body 65 defines a screening plane when deployed to a screening position. The first end portion of the screening body 65 is connected to a roller bar or other collection device in the top casing 61 and its other end portion is in the embodiment shown connected to a bottom bar 66.
The screening device 60 furthermore comprises two side rails 63, 64 configured to extend substantially perpendicularly to the top casing 61 in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement 50 and which guide the side edges of the screening body 65 during its movement to and from its deployed positions. Together, the top casing 61 and the two side rails 63, 64 define an outer perimeter of the screening device 60. In the first embodiment shown in Figs 1 and 4, the screening device 60 comprises a bottom profile 62 which is shown in a position connected to the side rails 63, 64. The connection between the two side rails 63, 64 and the top casing 61 at one end and the bottom profile 62 at the other advantageously takes place before installing the screening device 60 in the skylight window 1, as the screening device 60 may for instance be delivered in a supply condition in which the two side rails 63, 64, the top casing 61 and the bottom profile 62 are packaged in parallel with each other.
In order to move the screening body 65 from the non-screening position to a screening position and back, the screening arrangement 50 is in the first embodiment provided with a solar panel 61s placed in the top casing 61 which could be used to power the screening arrangement 50, possibly connected to a battery inside the top casing 61; however, power may also be provided from a main housing supply, as indicated in the alternative embodiments of Figs 2 and 3, where no solar panel is present. Wiring, motor control and power means for the motor are not shown in either of the embodiments.
The screening device 60 thus forms a rectangular shape having a closed configuration in the first embodiment of Figs 1 and 4. In the alternative embodiments of Figs 2 and 3, it is noted that no bottom profile is present. While the shape of the screening device 60 in each of these alternative embodiments is rectangular, the configuration is open in the form of a U. When seen in the general plane of the screening device 60 as defined by its screening body, an outer perimeter of the screening device 60 is formed by peripherally outermost surfaces of the top casing 61, the two side rails 63, 64 and, if present, the bottom profile 62, or, if no bottom profile is present, by a line extending between the free ends of the side rails 63, 64.
The screening arrangement 50 furthermore comprises a suspension device 70 connected to or connectable to the screening device 60 as will be described in further detail below. The suspension device 70 comprises means for connecting the screening device 60 to the skylight window 1 in that the suspension device 70 of the screening arrangement comprises a plurality of flanges associated to a respective one of the top casing 61 and the two side rails 63, 64 of the screening device 60, and, if present, to the bottom profile 62. The flanges of the suspension device 70 may in principle be present only at the top casing 61 and the bottom profile 62, at the top casing 61 and one of the side rails 63 or 64, at the top casing 61 and at both side rails 63, 64, or as shown at all four components of the screening device 60.
Each flange 71, 72, 73, 74 define at least one line of contact of the suspension device 70 intended to cooperate with a corresponding component of the skylight window 1 in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement 50. In Fig. 4, three such lines of contact LC1, LC2 and LC4 are shown. It is understood that a corresponding line of contact LC3 is present at the flange 73 connected to the other side rail 63.
It is noted that each flange 71, 72, 73, 74 of the suspension device 70 is configured to protrude from the respective one of the top casing 61 and the two side rails 63, 64 and the bottom profile 62 such that the lines of contact LC1, LC2, LC3, LC4 are positioned to the outer side of an outer perimeter of the screening device 60 in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement, i.e. outside the outer perimeter or periphery of the components of the screening device 60 as described in the above.
The side rails 63, 64 are formed as longitudinally extending profiles which are cut transversely to the length direction to form blunt opposing ends. Due to the configuration of the top casing 61 and the width of the side rails 63, 64 an opening is formed at the corners in-between the top casing 61 and the two side rails 63, 64, when seen perpendicularly to the screening plane (cf. also for instance Fig. 7).
In order to ensure that dust and other contaminants enter the top casing and/or the side rails, the screening arrangement 50 furthermore comprises a corner cover assembly 80 to interact with the screening device 60 and the suspension device 70 in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement. The corner cover assembly 80 also provides light-proofing in that it hinders light from passing the screening arrangement. This is most important in connection with blackout screening devices, as it blocks the openings formed in the screening arrangement, thus hindering the passage of light through the screening arrangement and further into the interior of the room of the building.
In the first embodiment, the corner cover assembly 80 comprises a first and a second corner cover element 81, 82 to interact with the top casing 61 and the two side rails 63, 64 of the screening device 60 and with a respective flange 71, 73, 74 of the plurality of flanges of the suspension device 70 such that the intersection between adjacent lines of contact LC1, LC3, LC4, or extensions of the lines of contact, is located below a respective one of the first and second cover element 81, 82 in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement. Furthermore, a third and a fourth corner cover element 83, 84 is provided to interact with the side rails 63, 64 and the bottom profile 62 of the screening device 60 and with a respective flange 73, 74 of the suspension device 70. This configuration also applies to the alternative embodiment of Fig. 2, whereas in the embodiment of Fig. 3, no third or fourth cover elements are present.
Turning now to Fig. 4, the skylight window 1 comprises a window portion 4 with a window sash 6 and an insulating glazing unit 5. The sash 6 comprises opposing first and second sash members 11, 12 and opposing third and fourth sash members, of which the fourth sash member 14 is shown in Fig. 4, encasing the insulating glazing unit 5. The sash 6 is connected to a frame 7 and comprises four frame members 10. The shape of the sash 6 and frame 7 is thus rectangular, for instance square. The sash 6 may be openable relative to the frame 7 or fixed.
The skylight window 1 furthermore comprises a weather shield 3 positioned above the insulating glazing unit 5 and comprising a weather shield pane 8 and a skirt 9. The weather shield 3 has been moved out of engagement with the window portion 4 in Fig. 4 for reasons of clarity. The weather shield pane 8 is substantially plane; however, it is conceivable to install the screening arrangement 50 also in skylight windows having a curved pane. The weather shield 3 may be openable relative to the window portion 4 or fixed.
The screening arrangement 50 is arranged in a spacing between an exterior surface of the insulating glazing unit 5 of the window portion 4 and an interior surface of the weather shield pane 8 of the weather shield 3 such that the screening device 60 is located below an exterior side of the first sash member 11 in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement 50.

Figs 5 and 6

In Figs 5 and 6, another embodiment of the screening arrangement 50 is shown as installed in a skylight window 1. The main components of the skylight window 1 correspond in substance to the skylight window of the first embodiment as shown in Fig. 4. Elements having the same or analogous function are denoted by the same reference numerals. Details of this embodiment relevant to the invention applies also to the first embodiment described in the above and to further embodiments described below.
The insulating glazing unit 5 comprises a first peripheral side 5a facing the first sash member 11, an exposed interior major surface 5b for facing an interior of the building, a plurality of layers of glazing 5c, 5d, 5e, and an exterior major surface 5g facing in a direction opposite to the interior of the building towards the exterior,
To connect the suspension device 70 of the screening arrangement 50 at its plurality of flanges 71, 72 73, 74 to the sash 6, the first sash member 11, the second sash member 12 and the third and fourth sash members 13, 14 are provided with a support for receiving the respective flange. This will be described in further detail with reference to the first sash member 11 which as shown in Fig. 6 comprises a first leg 15, a second leg 16 protruding inwards from the first leg 15, a ledge 17 protruding outwards from the first leg 15, an upstanding wall 18 extending from the ledge 17 towards the exterior, and a protruding flange 19 with a support section 19a configured to cooperate with the flange 71 connected to or connectable to the top casing 61 along the line of contact LC1. It is understood that the third and fourth sash members 13, 14, and also the second sash member 12, in particular if a bottom profile 62 is present, are configured in a corresponding manner. The protruding flange 19 furthermore comprises a skirt abutment section 19b and a skirt engagement section 19c. The support section 19a is here located slightly to the interior of the most exterior side of the sash, represented by skirt abutment section 19b, but other locations are also conceivable, either more to the interior, or such that the support section itself constitutes the most exterior side of the window portion 4.
A first height h1 is defined between an exterior side 61e of the top casing 61 and the exterior side of the sash, here represented by the first sash member 11. The exterior side of the sash is in the embodiment shown the exterior side of the skirt abutment section 19b. The first height h1 typically lies in the range 1 to 10 mm and is thus the distance by which the screening device 60 is lowered into the window portion 4 such that the screening device 60 does not protrude beyond the exterior side of the sash 6 while at the same time, the weather shield pane 8 may be positioned relatively close to the insulating glazing unit 5, however without interfering with the screening device 60. The distance in the height direction between the exterior side 61e and an interior surface 8i of the weather shield pane 8 is denoted a second height h2 which is larger than the first height h1 by a factor 1 to 5. The first and second heights are chosen to allow for sufficient space for screening devices in which there is a solar panel present on the top casing 61. A third height h3 is defined by the distance in the height direction between the exterior major surface 5g and the exterior side 61e of the top casing 61. The magnitude of the third height h3 is typically significantly larger than the first height h1 and the second height h2. It is noted that the screening plane SP is located below the exterior side 61e of the top casing 61, which thus constitutes the most exterior point of the screening device 60. As shown, the screening plane SP coincides with the plane of the screening body 65 schematically indicated as being rolled out from a roller bar 61r in the top casing 61. In principle, the screening body 65 and hence the screening plane SP may be placed at any suitable height within the distance marked by h3. Thus, in addition to the relatively exterior position close to the exterior side 61e of the top casing 61 as shown in Fig. 6 may be chosen for some applications, whereas a screening plane in the middle, or closer to the insulating glazing unit 5 may be chosen in other. The choice depends on a number of factors including the selection of insulating properties of the weather shield pane 8 and the insulating glazing unit 5, whether the skylight window 1 is oriented to the south, climate region, type of screening body etc.
When installed, the entire screening device 60 is located in the spacing delimited in a plane parallel to the screening plane SP by the first and second sash members 11, 12 in one direction and by the third and fourth sash members 13, 14 in a perpendicular direction. In the height direction, the spacing is delimited by the exterior major surface 5g of the insulating glazing unit 5 as the lowermost border and by the interior surface 8i of the weather shield pane 8 at the top. Since the screening device 60 protrudes beyond the first peripheral side 5a of the insulating glazing unit 5, the lower border of this spacing near the periphery of the screening device is constituted by the ledge 17 of the first sash member 11, and corresponding ledges on the other sash members. In this way, it is also possible to utilise the ledges as a screening support section on which the components of the screening device 60 may rest in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement 50.
The outer perimeter of the screening device 60 is defined by an outer side 61o of the top casing 61 and, referring briefly also to Figs 8 and 9, an outer side 63o of each of the two side rails 63, 64 and an outer side 62o of the bottom profile 62. These sides thus form the outer periphery of the screening device 60. The suspension device 70 is as described in the above associated to the screening device 60 such that the means for connecting the screening arrangement 50 to the skylight window 1 are located outside this periphery. Embodiments of the flanges forming part of the suspension device 70 and which thus form fixation elements of a hook-and-cleat type will be described in further detail in the following.

Figs 7 to 13

Referring now to Figs 7 to 13, detailed views of a further embodiments of the screening arrangement 50 are shown in that Figs 7 and 10 shown the top casing 61 of the screening device 60 with the respective flange configuration of the suspension device 70, Figs 8 and 11 the configuration at one of the side rails, and Figs 9 and 12 correspondingly the configuration at the bottom profile. Fig. 13 shows a cord system 67 which is not shown in other drawing figures.
It is seen that each flange 71, 72, 73 comprises a depending hook 71a, 72a, 73a near an outer end of the respective flange 71, 72, 73. In this way, the hook 71a, 72a, 73a will be placed on the outer peripheral side of the corresponding component of the skylight window, in the embodiment shown in Figs 5 and 6 of the support section 19a of the first sash member 11.
It is furthermore noted that the flanges 71, 72, 73 are substantially plane.
In the embodiments shown, the flanges 71, 72, 73 are displaced to the exterior relative to an exterior side 61e, 62e, 63e of a respective one of the top casing 61, the bottom profile 62 and the shown side rail 63. This is obtained in that each flange 71, 72, 73 comprises an upstanding leg 71b, 72b, 73b near an inner end of the respective flange 71, 72, 73 to form a transition to the exterior side 61e, 62e, 63e of the respective top casing 61, the bottom profile 62 and the side rail 63.
A gasket 72g, 73g is provided in the area of the respective line of contact LC2, LC3 of the flange 72 at the bottom profile 62 and of the flange 73 at the side rail 63. Similar gaskets may be provided also at the flanges 71 and 73.
In these embodiments, the suspension device 70 is connected integrally to the screening device 60 in that each flange 71, 72, 73 is formed in one piece with the top casing 61, the bottom profile 62 and the side rail 63.
Further details that appear from these figures include that each side rail 63, 64 is provided with at least one longitudinal track. Of these tracks, a primary track 63t is configured to guide the bottom bar 66 by means of guiding means 66g slidable in the primary track 63t. The primary track 63t has a narrowed entry opening 63u. A secondary track 63v is committed to guiding the side edge 65s of the screening body 65, preferably by means of a plurality of guiding pins 65g attached to the side edge 65s of the screening body 65. The tracks 63t, 63v are located below the exterior side 63e of each side rail 63, 64 such that the screening plane SP of the screening device 60 is located to the interior of the exterior side 63e of the side rails 63, 64. Finally, a channel 63w is provided which may increase the strength of the side rail 63.
In such screening arrangements which include a cord system 67, see Fig. 13, the cords of the cord system are guided in at least one of said tracks 63t, 63v. In the shown embodiment the track configured to receive the cords is the primary track 63t, that is a different track from the secondary track 63v configured to receive the respective side edge of the screening body.
In the bottom profile 62, a receiving opening 62r for the bottom bar 66 is provided.

Figs 14 to 18b

Alternative embodiments of the parts of the screening device and the suspension device of the screening arrangement are shown in Figs 14 to 18b. Elements having the same or analogous function as in the above embodiments have the same reference numerals to which 100, 200... has been added.
In the embodiment of Fig. 14, the top casing 161 of the screening device 160 is shown separate from the associated flange 171 of the suspension device 170. Here, the suspension device 170 is configured to be connected with the screening device 160 by attachment means 175, indicated as screws, but may take any suitable position.
Alternative configurations of the top casing are shown in Figs 15a to 15c. Thus, the top casing 261 may comprise a substantially rectangular structure such as square, with an opening slot 261a for the screening body 65. Alternatively, the top casing 261 has, as shown in Fig. 15c, a substantially L-shaped configuration comprising two legs 261b, 261c, which are here perpendicular to each other.
Referring now to Figs 16a to 16c, the flanges of the suspension device 370 may be substantially flush with an exterior side 361e of the top casing 361. The flange 371 may also have a curved shape defining an apex 371a corresponding to the line of contact as shown in Fig. 15a.
Alternative configurations of the side rail are shown in Figs 17a and 17b. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 17a, the side rail 163 has three tracks 163t, 163v and 163x configured to receive and guide the bottom bar, the cords of the cord system and the side edge of the screening body in separate tracks. Conversely, in the embodiment of Fig. 17b, a single track 263y is provided in side rail 263.
Finally, Fig. 18a shows an alternative configuration of the bottom profile 162 with a receiving opening 162r for the bottom bar, and Fig. 18 showing the bottom profile 262 with the receiving opening 262r positioned near the exterior end of the bottom profile 262.

Figs 19 and 20

With particular reference to Figs 19 and 20, a method of installing the screening arrangement 1 will be briefly described. The method basically comprises the steps of:

detaching the weather shield 3 from the window portion 4,
installing the screening arrangement 50 by bringing the suspension device 70 into contact with the window portion 4, in particular with the sash 6, and
reattaching the weather shield 3 from the window portion 4.

In those cases where a set of sash covering profiles 40 is provided, the installation comprises the additional step of removing the set of sash covering profiles 40 before installing the screening arrangement 50.
Specific embodiments of the invention have now been described. However, several alternatives are possible, as would be apparent for someone skilled in the art.
Such and other obvious modifications must be considered to be within the scope of the present invention, as it is defined by the appended claims.

List of reference numerals

1: skylight window
1a window opening
2: roof
2a roof opening
3: weather shield
4: window portion
5: insulating glazing unit, IGU
5a first peripheral side
5b exposed interior major surface
5c layer of glazing
5d interior pane / layer of glazing
5e layer of glazing
5g exposed exterior major surface
6: sash
7: frame
8: weather shield pane
8i interior surface (of weather shield pane)
9: weather shield skirt
10: first frame side member
11: first sash member
12: second sash member
13: third sash member
14: fourth sash member
15: first leg (of first sash member)
16: second leg (of first sash member)
17: ledge
18: upstanding wall
19: protruding flange
19a support section
19b skirt abutment section
19c skirt engagement section

40: sash covering profiles

50: screening arrangement

60: screening device
61 top casing
61e exterior side of top casing
61o outer side of top casing
61r roller bar
61s solar panel
62 bottom profile
62e exterior side of bottom profile
62o outer side of bottom profile
62r receiving opening for bottom bar
63 side rail
63e exterior side of side rail
63o outer side of side rail
63t primary track
63u narrowed entry opening to primary track
63v secondary track
63w channel
64 side rail
65 screening body
65g guiding pins of screening body
65s side edge
66 bottom bar
66g guiding means of bottom bar
67 cord system

70: suspension device
71 top flange
71a depending hook
71b upstanding leg
71g gasket
72 bottom flange
72a depending hook
72b upstanding leg
72g gasket
73 side flange
73a depending hook
73b upstanding leg
73g gasket
74 side flange

160: screening device
161 top casing
162 bottom profile
162r receiving opening for bottom bar
163 side rail
163t primary track
163v secondary track
163x tertiary track
170: suspension device
171 flange
175: attachment means

260: screening device
261 top casing
261a opening slot
261b leg
261c leg
262 bottom profile
262r receiving opening for bottom bar
263 side rail
263y single track
270: suspension device

360: screening device
361 top casing
361e exterior side
370: suspension device
371 flange
371a apex

80: corner cover assembly
81 corner cover element (upper right-hand)
82 corner cover element (upper left-hand)
83 corner cover element (lower right-hand)
84 corner cover element (lower left-hand)
h1 first height (from exterior side of screening device to exterior side of sash)
h2 second height (from exterior side of screening device to interior side of weather shield pane)
h3 third height (from exterior side of IGU to exterior side of screening device)
SP screening plane
LC1 first line of contact (between

Claims

A screening arrangement (50) for a skylight window (1) to be installed in an inclined or flat roof (2) of a building to cover an opening (1a) of the skylight window (1) in a mounted condition of the screening arrangement (50), where the screening arrangement (50) comprises:
a screening device (60) including a top casing (61), a screening body (65) having two side edges (65s), a first end portion and a second end portion, said screening body (65) being movable in a longitudinal direction between a non-screening position, in which the screening body (65) is substantially accommodated in the top casing (61), and a number of screening positions in which the screening body (65) is deployed from the top casing (61) and covers the opening partially or entirely, defining a screening plane (SP), and two side rails (63, 64) configured to extend substantially perpendicularly to the top casing (61) in a mounted condition of the screening arrangement (50), and optionally a bottom profile (62), the top casing (61) and the two side rails (63, 64) defining an outer perimeter of the screening device (60), and

means for connecting the screening device (60) to the skylight window (1),

characterised in that

the screening arrangement (50) furthermore comprises a suspension device (70) connected to or connectable to the screening device (60) and comprising the means for connecting the screening device (60) to the skylight window (1), and that the suspension device (70) comprises a plurality of flanges (71, 72, 73, 74) connected to or connectable to at least the top casing (61) and at least one of the two side rails (63, 64) and/or the bottom profile (62) of the screening device (60), each flange (71, 72, 73, 74) of said plurality of flanges defining at least one line of contact (LC1, LC2, LC3, LC4) configured to cooperate with a corresponding component of the skylight window (1) in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement (50), each flange (71, 72, 73, 74) of said plurality of flanges being configured to protrude from the respective one of the top casing (61) and the two side rails (63, 64) such that the lines of contact (LC1, LC2, LC3, LC4) are positioned to the outer side of an outer perimeter of the screening device (60) in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement.
A screening arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the outer perimeter of the screening device is defined by an outer side (61o) of the top casing and an outer side (63o) of each of the two side rails (63, 64) and optionally by an outer side (62o) of the bottom profile (62).
A screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screening device (60) comprises a bottom profile (62) connected to or connectable to the side rails (63, 64), and wherein the suspension device (70) comprises a flange (72) connected to or connectable to the bottom profile (62) and to each side rail (63, 64), in addition to the top casing (61).
A screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the flanges (71, 72, 73, 74) of said plurality of flanges of the suspension device (70) comprises a depending hook (71a, 72a, 73a) near an outer end of the respective flange (71, 72, 73, 74).
A screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the flanges (71, 72, 73, 74) of said plurality of flanges of the suspension device (70) comprises a gasket (72g, 73g) in the area of the respective line of contact (LC1, LC2, LC3, LC4) of the respective flange (71, 72, 73, 74).
A screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one flange of said plurality of flanges (71, 72, 73, 74) is substantially plane or at least one flange of said plurality of flanges (371) has a curved shape defining an apex (371a) corresponding to the line of contact.
A screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one flange of said plurality of flanges (71, 72, 73, 74) is substantially flush with an exterior side (61e, 62e, 63e, 64e) of a respective one of the top casing (61), the bottom profile (62) and the two side rails (63, 64).
A screening arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one flange of said plurality of flanges (71, 72, 73, 74) is displaced to the exterior relative to an exterior side (61e, 62e, 63e, 64e) of a respective one of the top casing (61), the bottom profile (62) and the two side rails (63, 64).
A screening arrangement according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the flanges (71, 72, 73, 74) of said plurality of flanges of the suspension device (70) comprises an upstanding leg (71b, 72b, 73b) near an inner end of the respective flange (71, 72, 73, 74) to form a transition to the exterior side (61e, 62e, 63e, 64e) of a respective one of the top casing (61), the bottom profile (62) and the two side rails (63, 64).
A screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the suspension device (70) is connected integrally to the screening device (60) such that each flange of said plurality of flanges (71, 72, 73, 74) of the suspension device (70) is formed in one piece with a respective one of the top casing (61) and the two side rails (63, 64) and optionally the bottom profile (62) of the screening device (60).
A screening arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the suspension device (170) is configured to be connected with the screening device (160) by attachment means (175).
A screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top casing (261) comprises a substantially rectangular structure, preferably square, with an opening slot (261a) for the screening body (65), or the top casing (261) has a substantially L-shaped configuration comprising two legs (261b, 261c), preferably perpendicular to each other.
A screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each side rail (63, 64) is provided with at least one longitudinal track (63t, 63v).
A screening arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the screening device (60) comprises a bottom bar (66) and the at least one track comprises a primary track (63t) configured to guide the bottom bar (66), preferably by means of guiding means (66g) slidable in the primary track (63t), the primary track (63t) more preferably having a narrowed entry opening (63u).
A screening arrangement according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the at least one track comprises a secondary track (63v) for guiding the side edge (65s) of the screening body (65), preferably by means of a plurality of guiding pins (65g) attached to the side edge (65s) of the screening body (65), said at least one track (63t, 63v) being preferably located below the exterior side (63e) of each side rail (63, 64) such that the screening plane (SP) of the screening device (60) is located to the interior of the exterior side (63e) of the side rails (63, 64).
A screening arrangement according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the screening device (60) comprises a cord system (67) and wherein the cords of the cord system are guided in at least one of said tracks (63t, 63v), the track configured to receive the cords preferably be different from the track configured to receive the respective side edge of the screening body.
A screening arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screening arrangement furthermore comprises a corner cover assembly (80) to interact with the screening device (60) and the suspension device (70) in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement, and wherein the corner cover assembly (80) comprises at least a first and a second corner cover element (81, 82) to interact with the top casing (61) and the two side rails (63, 64) of the screening device (60) and with a respective flange (71, 73, 74) of said plurality of flanges of the suspension device (70) such that the intersection between adjacent lines of contact (LC1, LC3, LC4), or extensions of the lines of contact, is located below a respective one of the first and second cover element (81, 82) in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement.
A screening arrangement according to claim 17, wherein a third and a fourth corner cover element (83, 84) is provided to interact with the side rails (63, 64) of the screening device (60) and with a respective flange (73, 74) of the suspension device (70), and, where the screening device (60) comprises a bottom profile (62) connected to or connectable to the side rails (63, 64) and the suspension device (70) comprises a flange (72) connected to or connectable to the bottom profile (62), the third and fourth corner cover elements (83, 84) are configured to interact with the side rails (63, 64) and with the bottom profile (62) of the screening device (60) and with the respective flanges (72, 73, 74) of the suspension device (70).
A skylight window (1) for being installed in a roof (2) of a building, the skylight window (1) comprising
a window portion (4) with a window sash (6) and an insulating glazing unit (5), said sash (6) comprising opposing first and second sash members (11, 12) and opposing third and fourth sash members (13, 14) encasing the insulating glazing unit (5), the insulating glazing unit (5) comprising a first peripheral side (5a) facing the first sash member (11), an exposed interior major surface (5b) for facing an interior of the building, a plurality of layers of glazing (5c, 5d, 5e), and an exterior major surface (5g) facing in a direction opposite to the interior of the building towards the exterior,
a weather shield (3) positioned above the exterior major surface (5g) of the insulating glazing unit (5) and comprising a weather shield pane (8) with an interior surface (8i), and
a screening arrangement (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 18 arranged in a spacing between the exterior major surface (5g) of the insulating glazing unit (5) of the window portion (4) and the interior surface (8i) of the weather shield pane (8) of the weather shield (3) such that the screening device (60) is located below an exterior side of the first sash member (11) in the mounted condition of the screening arrangement (50).
A skylight window (1) according to claim 19, wherein the suspension device (70) of the screening arrangement (50) comprises a plurality of flanges (71, 73, 74) connected to or connectable to at least the top casing (61) and one of the two side rails (63, 64) and configured to cooperate with the first sash member (11) and at least a respective third and/or fourth sash member (13, 14), and wherein the first sash member (11) comprises a first leg (15), a second leg (16) protruding inwards from the first leg (15), a ledge (17) protruding outwards from the first leg (15), an upstanding wall (18) extending from the ledge (17) towards the exterior, and a protruding flange (19) with a support section (19a) configured to cooperate with the flange (71) connected to or connectable to the top casing (61) along a line of contact (LC1), the third and/or fourth sash members (13, 14), preferably also the second sash member (12) being configured in a corresponding manner.
A skylight window (1) according to claim 20, wherein a first height (h1) defined between an exterior side (61e) of the top casing (61) and the exterior side of the first sash member (11) lies in the range 1 to 10 mm.
A skylight window (1) according to claim 20 or 21, wherein a second height (h2) is defined between an exterior side (61e) of the top casing (61) and the interior surface (8i) of the weather shield pane (8) and a third height (h3) between the exterior major surface (5g) of the insulating glazing unit (5) and an exterior side (61e) of the top casing (61).
A method of installing the screening arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18 in a skylight window (1) according to any one of claims 20 to 22, comprising the steps of:
detaching the weather shield (3) from the window portion (4),

optionally removing a set of sash covering profiles (40),

installing the screening arrangement (50) by bringing the suspension device (70) into contact with the window portion (4), in particular with the sash (6), and

reattaching the weather shield (3) from the window portion (4).