EP3872276A1

EP3872276A1 - Skylight assembly with through element(s)

Info

Publication number: EP3872276A1
Application number: EP21159546.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean Marc Gilles Glorieux
Original assignee: Skylux NV
Current assignee: Skylux NV
Priority date: 2020-02-26
Filing date: 2021-02-26
Publication date: 2021-09-01

Abstract

Window assembly, particularly a skylight assembly for an inclining surface, comprising a window frame (10) and a window (20) which is mounted movably in the window frame, wherein the window comprises a frame (21) and a window pane (22) received in the frame, wherein the window frame is manufactured from a laminate structure with a thickness (d) measured perpendicularly of a plane of the opening bounded by the window frame, characterized in that arranged in the window frame is at least one throughfeed element (30) which extends through at least 50 percent of the thickness of the window frame.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a window assembly, more particularly a skylight assembly typically intended to be built into an inclining surface such as a sloping roof.

Background

The use of a window assembly allows more daylight to come indoors. Ventilation and visual contact with the outside world also become possible when the window assembly is integrated in a roof or side wall. Skylights for sloping roofs consist of a fixed window frame and a window mounted tiltably therein. Examples of such window assemblies are generally known to the skilled person. A particularly advantageous embodiment of such a skylight assembly is disclosed in European patent EP 2 792 810 B1 in the name of applicant. When opening such a skylight, the upper part of the window tilts inward, while the lower part can tilt outward.
It is preferred for such window assemblies to be protected to a certain extent against for instance: vandalism, flying projectiles (for instance due to high wind speeds), snow load, attempted burglary and theft, and so on. This list is not limitative, and other incidents that impact the window assembly are preferably also obviated. In the existing window assemblies an impact load on the window assembly results in a lot of material damage. This has a negative effect on the safety and reliability of the window.
Testing of impact resistance is typically done using impact tests based on a pendulum principle, or by dropping an object with a determined mass onto the window.

Summary of the invention

Embodiments of the invention have for their object to improve the impact resistance of the window assembly.
A first aspect of the invention relates to a window assembly, particularly a skylight assembly intended to be mounted in an inclining surface. The window assembly comprises a window frame and a window which is mounted movably in the window frame. The window comprises a frame and a window pane received in the frame. The window frame is manufactured from a laminate structure with a thickness. This thickness is measured perpendicularly of a plane of the opening bounded by the window frame. Arranged in the window frame is at least one throughfeed element which extends through at least 50 percent of the thickness of the window frame.
The at least one throughfeed element increases the impact resistance of the whole window assembly. In the case of impact on the window forces are transmitted via the locking to the window frame, i.e. to the laminate structure. This laminate structure is the typical location where damage due to impact occurs. The layer structure of the laminated material is held together better owing to the presence of the at least one throughfeed element. The load as a result of impact is distributed better through the laminate structure, and the presence of the at least one throughfeed element ensures that the energy of the impact load is absorbed better. The at least one throughfeed element can be provided particularly there where the laminate structure is subject to stresses as a result of the impact.
According to a preferred embodiment, the window assembly comprises at least one throughfeed element consisting of a screw element. With this embodiment of the throughfeed element the forces in the longitudinal direction of the throughfeed element are also absorbed, this in addition to the lateral shear forces. In this way the laminate structure is held together better as a whole. The screw element preferably has a pitch which is smaller than the layer thickness of a layer of the laminate structure. The screw element can for instance have a diameter of between 1 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 2 mm and 8 mm, still more preferably between 3 mm and 7 mm The screw element is preferably a wood screw.
According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one throughfeed element comprises at least three throughfeed elements, which are preferably screw elements. By using a plurality of throughfeed elements the impact load is distributed better through the laminate structure. Three to ten throughfeed elements can typically be used, for instance four or five.
These throughfeed elements extend through at least 60 percent of the thickness of the window frame, preferably at least 65 percent, still more preferably at least 70 percent. The at least one throughfeed element preferably has a length greater than 50 mm, preferably greater than 70 mm. In this way the at least one throughfeed element extends over a large part of the thickness of the window frame, and the forces can be accommodated where necessary.
According to a preferred embodiment, the window assembly has a window frame which is provided with a groove with a bottom, this groove preferably being parallel to a periphery of the window frame. The at least one throughfeed element can then be arranged such that it lies with an outer end adjacently of the bottom of the groove. When use is for instance made of a screw element, the screw element can be screwed into the bottom of the groove. This groove provides for an easy mounting of the one or more throughfeed elements.
According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one throughfeed element is provided with a head which lies adjacently of the bottom of the groove. The head also provides for an easy mounting of the at least one throughfeed element. The groove preferably has a depth greater than 5 mm, more preferably greater than 7 mm
According to a preferred embodiment, the window assembly comprises at least one locking between the window and the window frame. The at least one throughfeed element then preferably comprises two throughfeed elements which are arranged on either side of a locking. This arrangement preferably takes place at a distance (dv) from the locking which is smaller than 30 percent of a dimension (B) of the window frame. An impact will typically first act on the locking, and in this way can be accommodated well by the two throughfeed elements.
According to a preferred embodiment, the window is rectangular with a first side, and the window frame is rectangular with a first side which lies adjacently of the first side of the window. The at least one locking is provided between the two first sides. This first side of the window frame then preferably comprises the at least one throughfeed element. At least four throughfeed elements are preferably provided in the first side of the window frame.
According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one locking comprises a first and a second locking, and the at least one throughfeed element comprises a throughfeed element which is provided between the first and second locking.
According to a preferred embodiment, the window is mounted pivotally, such that the first side of the window tilts inward in the case of impact.

Brief figure description

The above stated and other advantageous features and objects of embodiments of the invention will become more apparent, and the invention better understood, on the basis of the following detailed description when read in combination with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic bottom view (when looking at an inner side) of an embodiment of a window assembly with one locking;
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic bottom view (when looking at an inner side) of an embodiment of a window assembly with two locks;
Figure 2A illustrates a more detailed view of section IIA in figure 2;
Figure 3A illustrates a schematic top view (when looking at the outer side) of the embodiment of figure 1;
Figure 3B is a cross-section along the section line IIIB in figure 3A;
Figure 3C is a detailed view of section IIIC in figure 3B;
Figures 4 and 5 show schematic side views of another embodiment of a window assembly in different positions.

Detailed embodiments

Figures 1 and 3A-3C illustrate a first embodiment of a skylight assembly for use in an inclining surface. The window assembly comprises a window frame 10 and a window 20. The window 20 is mounted movably in the window frame 10. Window 20 comprises a frame 21 and a window pane 22 received in frame 21. Window 20 is substantially rectangular, with a first upper side 23, a lower side 24 and a left-hand and right- hand side 25, 26. The first upper side 23 lies adjacently of a first side 13 of window frame 10. A locking 50 is provided between these first sides 13, 23. This locking comprises a handle 51 whereby a person can open the window 20.
As can be seen most clearly in figure 3C, window frame 10 is formed as a laminate structure with a thickness d. This thickness is measured perpendicularly of a plane of the opening bounded by window frame 10. The laminate structure typically comprises a number of layers 15 which are adhered to each other. In existing window assemblies with such a laminate structure damage may occur in the case of high impact loads. The inventors have ascertained that the laminate structure can split, particularly in pendulum tests.
In order to avoid or reduce such problems four throughfeed elements 30 are provided in window frame 10, and more specifically in the first side 23 of window frame 10, in the embodiment of figure 1. The throughfeed elements 30 are here arranged in a groove 40 which is provided in the first side 23, and are thus concealed from view. The groove is preferably parallel to a periphery of window frame 10. The depth dg of groove 40 is preferably greater than 5 mm, preferably greater than 7 mm. The throughfeed elements 30 are provided on either side of the locking 50, preferably at a distance dv from locking 50 which is smaller than 30 percent of the width B of window frame 10. This positioning of throughfeed elements 30 provides for a better distribution of the load in the case of impact. This increases the robustness and safety of the window assembly.
As can be seen most clearly in figure 3C, a layer of the laminate structure has a layer thickness dl. Throughfeed element 30 is a screw element with a pitch s which is preferably smaller than the layer thickness dl of the laminate structure of window frame 10. Screw element 30 has an outer end provided with a head 31 adjacently of the bottom 41 of groove 40. Throughfeed element 30 extends through the laminate structure over a distance of at least 60 percent of the thickness d, preferably at least 65 percent, still more preferably at least 70 percent. The screw element 30 can for instance have a diameter of between 1 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 2 mm and 8 mm, still more preferably between 3 mm and 7 mm. Screw element 30 is preferably a wood screw. Screw element 30 preferably has a length greater than 50 mm, preferably greater than 70 mm
Figures 2 and 2A show a second possible embodiment of a window assembly. This embodiment is similar to that of figures 1, 3A-3C, with the difference that two locks 50 are provided between the first side 13 of window frame 10 and the first side 23 of window 20, and that five instead of four throughfeed elements are provided. Throughfeed elements 30 comprises here three throughfeed elements 30 between the first and second locking 50, and in each case one throughfeed element 30 close to the outer ends of first side 13. The skilled person will appreciate that more or fewer throughfeed elements 30 can be provided depending on the number of locks 50, the type of laminate structure, the dimensions of the window assembly, and so on.
Figures 4 and 5 show a side view of yet another embodiment of a window assembly wherein similar components are designated with the same reference numerals as in the embodiments discussed above. This is a window assembly as described in detail in EP 2 792 810 B1 in the name of applicant, which is included here by way of reference, wherein a plurality of throughfeed elements 30 are received in a first upper side 13 of window frame 10. One or more throughfeed elements can optionally also be received in similar manner in the lower side 14 of window frame 10. The window assembly further comprises here a screen 60 which is connected pivotally to the upper side 13 of window frame 10 at an upper edge 63. A lower edge 24 of window 20 is connected slidably and pivotally to screen 60, all this such that screen 60 can be tilted outward by tilting the upper side 23 of window 20 inward, see particularly figure 5.
Figure 4 shows the window 20 in a first tilted position, which can for instance be the result of a light impact I1 on window 20, wherein the lower side 24 of frame 21 remains locked in window frame 10, while the upper part of window 20 is tilted inward. Figure 5 shows the window 20 in a second tilted position, which can for instance be the result of a heavy impact I2 on window 20, wherein the lower side 24 of frame 21 is tilted outward, while the upper part of window 20 is tilted inward. It is particularly in the case of such an impact I2 that the throughfeed elements 30 can provide for a good accommodation of the load without window frame 10 experiencing significant damage.
The skilled person will appreciate that the invention is not limited to the above described embodiments and that many modifications and variants are possible within the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the following claims.

Claims

Window assembly, particularly a skylight assembly for an inclining surface, comprising a window frame (10) and a window (20) which is mounted movably in the window frame, wherein the window comprises a frame (21) and a window pane (22) received in the frame, wherein the window frame is manufactured from a laminate structure with a thickness (d) measured perpendicularly of a plane of the opening bounded by the window frame, characterized in that arranged in the window frame is at least one throughfeed element (30) which extends through at least 50 percent of the thickness of the window frame.
Window assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one throughfeed element comprises at least one screw element (30).
Window assembly according to the foregoing claim, characterized in that the screw element has a pitch (s) which is smaller than a layer thickness (dl) of a layer of the laminate structure and/or the screw element has a diameter of between 1 mm and 10 mm.
Window assembly according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the at least one throughfeed element comprises at least three throughfeed elements, preferably screw elements.
Window assembly according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the at least one throughfeed element extends through at least 60 percent of the thickness (d) of the window frame, preferably at least 65 percent, still more preferably at least 70 percent.
Window assembly according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the at least one throughfeed element has a length greater than 50 mm, preferably greater than 70 mm.
Window assembly according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the window frame is provided with a groove (40) with a bottom (41), preferably a groove parallel to a periphery of the window frame, and that the at least one throughfeed element lies with an outer end adjacently of the bottom of the groove.
Window assembly according to the foregoing claim, characterized in that the or each throughfeed element is provided at the outer end with a head (31) which lies adjacently of the bottom of the groove.
Window assembly according to any one of the claims 6-7, characterized in that the groove has a depth (dg) greater than 5 mm, more preferably greater than 7 mm
Window assembly according to any one of the foregoing claims, further comprising at least one locking (50) between the window and the window frame, characterized in that the at least one throughfeed element comprises two throughfeed elements which are arranged on either side of the at least one locking, preferably at a distance (dv) from the locking which is smaller than 30 percent of a dimension (B) of the window frame.
Window assembly according to the foregoing claim, characterized in that the window is rectangular with a first side (23), and that the window frame is rectangular with a first side (13) which lies adjacently of the first side of the window, wherein the at least one locking (50) is provided between the first side of the window frame and the window and wherein the at least one throughfeed element is provided in the first side.
Window assembly according to the foregoing claim, characterized in that the at least one throughfeed element comprises at least four throughfeed elements which are provided in the first side.
Window assembly according to any one of the claims 9-11, characterized in that the at least one locking comprises a first and a second locking, and that the at least one throughfeed element comprises a throughfeed element which is provided between the first locking and the second locking.
Window assembly according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the window is mounted pivotally, such that the first side of the window (23) tilts inward in the case of an impact.