EP4323617A1

EP4323617A1 - Outer framed mosquito net structure for mounting on a roof window with weather bars

Info

Publication number: EP4323617A1
Application number: EP22787693.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Zoltán LISZKÓCZI; Attila Bedo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-04-14
Filing date: 2022-02-24
Publication date: 2024-02-21
Also published as: WO2022219365A1

Abstract

An outer framed mosquito net structure (2) for mounting on a roof window (1) with weather bars (24). The roof window (1) consists of a window (30) and a window frame (3), the window frame (3) consists of rear rim (14), side rims (28) with weather bars (24) and a lower rim (27). The mosquito net structure (2) is formed of a lower frame (5) and an upper frame (7) fitted thereto. An additional rim (15) is attached to the rear rim (14). The rear element (9) is fastened to the weather bar (24) of the additional rim (15), the side elements (10) to the weather bar (24) of the side rims (28). The lower frame (5) is provided with an upper nest (12), the upper frame (7) with a lower nest (13). The mosquito net (4) is attached to the bottom part (16) of the upper nest (12) and to the top part (17) of the lower nest (13).

Description

OUTER FRAMED MOSQUITO NET STRUCTURE FOR MOUNTING ON A ROOF WINDOW WITH WEATHER BARS

The present invention relates to an outer framed mosquito net structure for mounting on a roof window with weather bars, which is mounted on the outer side of the roof window while leaving the design of the roof window and the roof window frame in an original, intact condition and avoiding mechanical modification. The roof window consists of a window and a window frame, the window frame consists of rear rim, side rims with weather bars and a lower rim, and is inserted into the sloping roof of the building.

Usually, people want to get as much fresh air into their home as possible, or to enjoy the outdoor atmosphere and to sleep peacefully with an open roof window. But with that, the insects also get into the apartment. Mosquito or insect nets provide protection against this. The primary role of mosquito nets is protection against insects. It can be used to let fresh air in without insects and beetles entering the apartment or house. But in addition to this role, it is also able to keep out the flying dust particles, the leaves, allergic fluffs and animal hair.

Insect nets used in our time are of great importance. The complete exclusion of insects that spread pathogens and infections from our lives is, of course, not possible, but the protection of our habitat against such unwanted invaders is an obvious need. Nowadays, chemical and physical protection is the most common. With well-known mosquito repellents, we can keep mosquitoes away, but for many, instead of chemical control, mosquito net protection on windows offers a much more natural and acceptable solution, and there is no chemical control against certain insect species (e. g. stink bug). Technology in this field has been developing in recent decades. While retaining its basic functionality, openable-lockable mosquito net protections are now in high demand. Insect nets mounted on windows can be a simple solution, but they can prevent us from doing certain everyday things that require reaching out through a mosquito net-covered door. The basic case of fixed mosquito nets is that the net itself is stretched on some frame. The frame, in most cases, is the door or window itself. In some cases, it may be necessary to use a proper stretching frame. The material of the stretching frame is most often some kind of light, solid weather resistant material. In addition to surface- treated, impregnated wood, the use of a lightweight aluminum frame structure is common. There are several ways to attach such fixed-frame mosquito nets to the door or window. The most common is to simply screw the stretching frame onto the door and window, but especially with aluminum-framed insect nets, various detachable fastening lugs or even magnetic fastening solutions are possible. Wth these detachable solutions, we can put the mosquito net away for the winter, in this manner its lifespan is extended and the daylight is not reduced unnecessarily in our homes. The great advantage of a mobile mosquito net is that it can be varied between open or closed state. Movable mosquito nets can be grouped according to their direction of movement and location of application.

Mobile mosquito nets are insect nests which have a movable net surface. According to the direction of movement mosquito nets that can be moved vertically and horizontally, and nets opening like a door, can be distinguished. Vertical movement is mainly used for windows, while horizontally movable and opening versions are used for doors. Vertically-moving insect nets usually can be rolled up on an upper shaft, but nets movable like a folding door, so-called pleated mosquito nets are also gaining ground. A broader picture is shown in the appearance and operation of the insect nets which are movable horizontally. In addition to horizontal roller mosquito nets with a structure similar to vertical roller mosquito nets, the use of mosquito nets opening like a door or sliding door is getting widespread. Pleated mosquito nets play a significant role among the horizontally moving insect nets.

The known solutions of the currently used mosquito nets do not describe a solution that can be applied to a centrally axled roof window, which is designed to prevent insects and external dirt on the net from entering the apartment when the window is opened or closed. There is no known solution which can be fixedly mounted on the roof window and under which the window can be opened and closed without having to remove the mosquito net, namely by rolling it up, for example.

European patent application EP 2157255 discloses a mosquito net structure with an external frame for mounting on roof windows, for two different types of windows. One is for a top hinged roof window when the sash swivels at the top edge of the frame, the other example is for a center pivot roof window. The mosquito net structure for a top hinged roof window consists of a lower frame and an upper frame fitted onto it. The lower frame is attached to the window frame at the roof plane, and the upper frame is to the window sash. The edges of the mosquito net are stretched on the lower and upper frames, respectively. In the case of a center pivot window, two such mosquito nets are placed on one window - one on the lower, outward opening part of the window and another on the part opening towards the room. In this solution, the upper frame does not cover the entire window; and the outwardly opening and inwardly opening parts of the window are protected from insects in a separate manner by means of two U-shaped pleated mosquito nets.

Slovenian document SI 23701 describes an external framed mosquito net structure for roof windows that can be mounted on a center pivot roof window. The mosquito net structure consists of two parts, a lower part and an upper part. The upper part is attached to the window frame by means of fastening elements. The lower part on the one hand is fixed to the window frame, on the other hand to the side of the window sash and has a pleat-like design. In this solution, the upper frame portion does not cover the entire window; and the outward-opening and inward-opening parts of the window are protected from insects in a separate manner. This solution consists of an upper fixed mosquito net portion and a lower U-shaped pleated mosquito net portion.

German utility model DE 202014000712 discloses an insect and/or pollen protection device for swing windows with a multi-part frame. The device can be arranged on an outside of the swing window and is covered with a material for protection against insects and insight. The frame comprises an upper and a lower auxiliary frame. The lower auxiliary frame by an axis of rotation running in an upper area can be bent down and is covered with the material on three side walls. The upper auxiliary frame is coated with the material on its upper surface and the opening formed when the window is opened is covered with a sealing structure.

German utility model DE 202014000712 does not teach a method to fasten the mosquito net, does not describe the detailed placement of the mosquito net in the window frame, and does not provide such a solution at all. The gap between the fixed and opening parts according to the document solves the exclusion of insects from the interior, which, in addition to providing an insecure seal, is more vulnerable due to continuous use than the design according to the present invention. It deforms easily, which over time causes the gap not to close properly. It requires a more complicated installation. The embodiment according to the present invention can be completely assembled in a workshop, it only needs to be placed on the roof window frames used today. The above-mentioned solution completely ignores the fact that in many cases a rim is installed on the opening part of the window, which extends beyond the edges of the built-in frame to prevent rain from entering the room. If it is not fixed, it will not be able to withstand the effects of weather extremes. If it is mechanically attached to the frame of the roof window, the warranty for the roof window will be void.

The problem with the traditional internal mosquito nets used today to the roof windows is that when the roof window is opened or closed, the net must be pulled up and so the insects enter the building. A simple ventilation requires the following steps: pulling up the internal mosquito net, opening the roof window, pulling down the internal mosquito net, pulling up the mosquito net after ventilation, and closing the roof window. In this manner insects that have reached the mosquito net are let into the building. With this sequence of operations, the insects are allowed into the living space. Our aim is to develop a simple and cost-effective solution that can be fitted to and easily attached around the outer frame of the roof window. It is sufficiently weather-resistant and can be mounted on the roof window in such a way that none of the components of the roof window are subjected to modifications that could void the manufacturer's warranty or cause leakage. Of course, in addition to these, our basic aim is to prevent insects (mosquitoes, bugs, ladybugs, etc.) from entering the living area when opening and closing the roof window.

It has been realized that with the solution of the present invention ventilation with the roof windows is simplified, unwanted elements can be kept out from the living space, and can be attached to the outer frame of the roof window without the need to make any changes to the factory design of the window, or leave any trace of external damage. It also does not void the manufacturer's warranty or cause leakage.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to an outer framed mosquito net structure for mounting on a roof window with weather bars, which is mounted on the outer side of the roof window while leaving the design of the roof window and the roof window frame in an original, intact condition and avoiding mechanical modification. The roof window consists of a window and a window frame, the window frame consists of rear rim, side rims provided with weather bars and a lower rim, and is inserted into the sloping roof portion of the building. An additional rim provided with a weather bar is attached to the rear rim. The mosquito net structure is formed of a lower frame and an upper frame fitted thereto. The lower frame consists of a rear element, side elements and a first element. The rear element is fastened to the weather bar of the additional rim, the side elements to the weather bar of the side rims of the roof window by means of a clamping element, and the first element is fixed to the lower rim of the roof window by means of a fixing element. The upper frame is formed of a fixed portion and an opening part. The fixed portion is attached to the lower frame, at least to the rear element of the lower frame. The opening part is connected to the fixed portion by fittings. A mosquito net is stretched on the upper frame. A pleated mosquito net is inserted between the opening part of the upper frame and the lower part of the lower frame below the opening part of the upper frame. The rear element and the side elements of the lower frame are provided with a lower frame profile, and its first element is provided with a fixing element. The lower part of the lower frame at least below the opening part of the upper frame is provided with an upper nest, and at least the opening part of the upper frame is provided with a lower nest. An upper frame profile is also formed in the upper frame. The upper nest and the lower nest are fitted on each other so that they overlap to form a common nest. The pleated mosquito net is arranged so that the edges of the mosquito net are attached to the bottom part of the upper nest and to the top part of the lower nest. The mosquito net is also attached to the upper frame profile by means of a sealing element. Some advantageous embodiments of the present invention will be described in the appended claims.

Detailed description of the invention will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a roof window frame installed in a kind of roof plane the frame is provided with an additional rim;

Figure 2 is a side view of a roof window frame without a mosquito net structure, provided with an additional rim and a clamping element;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the additional rim;

Figure 4 is a front view of a roof window frame without the mosquito net but provided with the clamping elements;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the profile forming the upper frame and the sealing element placed therein;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the profile forming the lower frame and the clamping element placed therein;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the profile forming the lower frame and the spring member placed therein.

Figure 8 is a sectional view of a first element provided with a fixing element attached to the window frame;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a first member attached to the window frame, wherein the fixing element is formed as part of the first member;

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the fixing element;

Fig. 11 is a front sectional view of the profiles forming the upper and lower frames with the sealing element and clamping element therein taken along the line XI-XI in Figures 17 and 25; Figure 12 shows a portion of the opening part closed onto the fixed portion as viewed from the side;

Figure 13 shows a portion of the opened opening part as viewed from the side;

Figure 14 is a front sectional view of the mosquito net structure taken along line XVI-XVI of Figures 17 and 25 with the opening part closed;

Fig. 15 is a side sectional view of the mosquito net structure taken along line XV-XV in Figures 17 and 25 with the opening part closed;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mosquito net structure without a mosquito net;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the mosquito net structure of Figure 16 provided with the mosquito net in closed position;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a mosquito net structure without the mosquito net according to Figure 16 placed on a roof window installed in the roof in its open position; Figure 19 is a front sectional view of the clamping element;

Fig. 20 is a sectional view of the first element, wherein the fixing element is formed as part of the first element;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the mosquito net structure of Figure 16 provided with the mosquito net and stiffening fibers, placed on the roof window installed in the roof in its open position;

Figure 22 is a front sectional view of the profile forming the upper frame;

Figure 23 is a front sectional view of the profile forming the lower frame;

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a mosquito net structure without a mosquito net;

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the mosquito net structure of Fig. 24 with the mosquito net closed;

Fig. 26 is a perspective view of a mosquito net structure without the mosquito net according to Figure 24 placed on a roof window installed in the roof in its open position;

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the mosquito net structure of Figure 24 provided with the mosquito net and stiffening fibers, placed on the roof window installed in the roof in its open position.

The outer framed mosquito net structure 2 (Figures 16, 24) according to the invention for mounting on a roof window 1 provided with weather bars 24 (Figures 18, 26) is mounted on the outer side of the roof window 1 while leaving the design of the roof window 1 and the roof window frame 3 (Figures 1 , 2, 4, 18, 26) in an original, intact condition, avoiding mechanical modification. The roof window 1 consists of a window 30 and a window frame 3 (Figures 18, 26). It is necessary to avoid modifying the roof window 1, because it is forbidden to drill or screw these roof windows 1, as it will lose its warranty in the event of any mechanical modification. Furthermore, in such a case, its protection against soaking may be lost. Therefore, the mosquito net structure 2 must be fixed to the rims of the roof window 1 - which is usually a tinplate - namely to the rear rim 14, the side rims 28 and the lower rim 27, without modifying it (Figures 17, 25).

The side rims 28 of the roof window 1 are provided with weather bars 24 which are suitable for fastening the mosquito net structure 2 in such a way that the fastening does not cause any damage to the structure of the roof window 1. Since the weather bar 24 is not formed on the rear rim 14, in order not to have to make any modifications to the factory design, an additional rim 15 (Figures 3, 15, 17, 25) is attached to the rear rim 14, on which the weather bar 24 is also formed in order to fix the mosquito net structure 2 to it (Fig. 3). In the case of the lower rim 27, it is sufficient to attach the mosquito net structure 2 to the lower edge of the lower rim 27. According to this requirement, the mosquito net structure 2 of the present invention is mounted on the outer side of the roof window 1 without changing the design or structure, and without mechanical modification of the roof window 1.

The window frame 3 consists of a rear rim 14, side rims 28 provided with weather bars 24 (Fig. 4) and a lower rim 27 (Figures 1 , 4) and is inserted into the sloping roof of the building. An additional rim 15 (Figure 3), is attached to the rear rim 14 which is also provided with a weather bar 24. The mosquito net structure 2 is formed of a lower frame 5 and an upper frame 7 fitted to it (Figures 16, 24). The lower frame 5 consists of the rear element 9, the side elements 10 and the first element 11 (Figures 16, 24). The rear element 9 is fixed to the weather bar 24 of the additional rim 15, and the side elements 10 are fixed to the weather bar 24 of the side rims 28 of the roof window 1 by the clamping element 22 (Fig. 19). The clamping element 22 can be a spring member 23 fixed to the lower frame profile 6 of the lower frame 5 or a rubber profile with steel inserts (Figures 6, 7). The clamping elements 22 are preferably made of EPDM rubber edge protection profile (http://www.rugalmasgumiaruhaz.hu/epdm-elvedo-profil-1427- 6x15-5-mm_p4598) or plastic PVC edge protection profile, rail (http: //www.rugalmasgumiaruhaz.hu/pvc-elvedo-profil-5904-1-4-mm_p4602) (Figure 19). Of course, any known element suitable for fixing the mosquito net structure 2 to the weather bars 24 can be used as clamping element 22. The spring member 23 (Fig. 7) can already be inserted into the lower frame profile 6 during the production of the profile. The first element 11 of the mosquito net structure 2 is fixed to the lower rim 27 of the roof window 1 by the fixing element 19 (Figures 8 to 10, 20).

The upper frame 7 is formed of the fixed portion 20 and the opening part 21. The fixed portion 20 is fixed to the lower frame 5 (Figures 16, 24). Due to the fact that the pivot points of the windows 30 of the roof windows 1 can be arranged in different places along the length of the roof window 1 - usually from the transverse center line of the window frame 3 to the upper, substantially horizontal part - the fixed portion 20 is always adjusted to the position of the window 30 of the given roof window 1. The two extreme positions of the pivot points of the windows 30 are illustrated in Figures 16-18, 21 and 24-27. That is, the fixed portion 20 is fixed at least to the rear element 9 of the lower frame 5 and, if appropriate, partially to the side element 10.

The upper frame profile 8 is formed in the upper frame 7 (Figure. 22). A mosquito net 4 is also fastened to the upper frame profile 8, i. e. to the upper frame 7 of the mosquito net structure 2, which is fastened by the sealing element 18 (Figures 5, 11 , 14, 15). The opening part 21 is connected to the fixed portion 20 by means of fittings 25. For example, the fittings 25 may be hinged so as not to obstruct the insertion of the sealing element 18 securing the mosquito net 4 into the upper frame profile 8 of the upper frame 7 (Figures 12-13). A pleated mosquito net 4 is inserted between the opening part 21 of the upper frame 7 and the lower part 29 of the lower frame 5 below the opening part 21 of the upper frame 7 (Figures. 21, 27). The rear element 9 of the lower frame 5 and the side elements 10 are provided with a lower frame profile 6 (Fig. 23), and the first element 11 is provided with the fixing element 19 (Fig. 8).

In the lower frame 5, at least in the lower part 29 below the opening part 21 of the upper frame 7, the upper nest 12 is formed (Figs. 6 to 9, 23). Furthermore, at least the opening part 21 of the upper frame 7 is provided with the lower nest 13 (Figures 5, 22). Of course, the fixed portion 20 of the upper frame 7 and the side elements 10 and the rear element 9 of the lower frame 5 can be identical in their entire length, i. e. they can be provided with the top part 17 and the bottom part 16, in order to provide a cost-effective solution.

The upper nest 12 and the lower nest 13 are superimposed to form a common nest for the part of the mosquito net 4 which is placed between the opening part 21 and the fixed portion 20. The pleated mosquito net 4 is arranged so that its edges are attached to the bottom part 16 of the upper nest 12 and to the top part 17 of the lower nest 13 (Figures 11, 14, 15, 21 and 27). In order for the mosquito net 4 to lie in the upper nest 12 and the lower nest 13 when the opening part 21 is closed, stiffening fibers 26 are inserted in the mosquito net 4 between the upper nest 12 and the lower nest 13. The stiffening fibers 26 can be, for example, Kevlar fibers or plastic fibers. These can be welded in the respective places. There are several welding machines for welding the 4 mosquito nets, such as the welding machines available at http://en.ultrasonicmachiningtool.com/automation-ultrasonic-welding-machine- tinna/ultrasonic-plastic-welding-machine/.

The fixing element 19 can be formed as a separate element for the first element 11 of the lower frame 5 (Figures 8 and 10) or as part of the first element 11 (Figures 9, 20).

The window 30 and the opening part 21 can be connected by any known connecting element. This ensures that the window 30 and the opening part 21 move together. As the solution of this is obvious to those skilled in the art, it is not shown in the Figures. The connecting element ensures that the opening part 21 of the mosquito net structure 2 and the window 30 move together automatically when the window 30 is opened and closed.

A mosquito net structure 2 is formed in such a way that it is possible to open and close the roof window 1 and to hermetically seal the part of the window opening from the plane of the roof in such a way that the mosquito net 4 is not broken or torn during closing. The mosquito net structure 2 is already assembled itself, it is fixed to the lower frame 5 with the fixed portion 20, the upper frame 7 and the mosquito nets 4 are already formed (provided with stiffening fibers 26) and are attached to the mosquito net structure 2 in their final position.

During application, the additional rim 15 is fitted to the rear rime 14. The mosquito net structure 2 is placed around the window frame 3 of the roof window 1 by clasping the fixing element 19 of the first element 11 of the lower frame 5 into the first edge of the lower rim 27. Subsequently, the clamping element 22 formed or placed in the lower frame profile 6 of the mosquito net structure 2 is placed on the weather bars 24, and the mosquito net structure 2 is pressed onto the weather bars 24 by the clamping element 22, such as a PVC edge protection profile.

In the case of already installed and to be built-in roof windows 1, the appropriate adjustability must be taken into account in order to clean the window 30 when designing the mosquito net structure 2. The material of the mosquito net 4 should be chosen to be adequately resistant to external influences that may be caused by snow, wind, winter frost and high summer temperatures, UV radiation, precipitation, and so on. A good quality mosquito net 4 material is widely available. If the roof windows 1 are arranged directly next to each other, the mosquito net structure 2 according to the invention can also be mounted on the roof windows 1 arranged next to one another. Same as the roof windows 1, even fixed to each other. This solution is not shown for clarity.

The advantage of the present invention is that the mosquito net structure mounted on the outside of the roof window in the roof plane allows our roof window to be opened so that no insect (arthropod) can enter the living space from the outside. The installation of the mosquito net does not require any changes in the design of the roof window. The mosquito net can also be made of a material such as an external heat shield (fiberglass UV resistant mesh) and can thus perform two functions. The mosquito net of the present invention can be formed on almost any type and size of roof window. It leaves more living space without having a mosquito net case, a mosquito net rail or a pulled-down mosquito net inside the living space. The color of the mosquito net can be chosen for the color of the covering or the edges of the roof. Unlike internal mosquito nets, there are no tension springs here and there is no need to worry about keeping the net rigidly flat inside the window for decades. It can be mounted later and can be used for any type and size of roof window. The design of the mosquito net allows the full opening of the roof window for easy cleaning of the roof window. It can also be mounted above already existing screenings. The mosquito net structure according to the invention is designed in such a way that it can be mounted on the roof windows arranged next to each other, and the mosquito net structures arranged similarly can even be welded together.

Claims

1. An outer framed mosquito net structure (2) for mounting on a roof window (1 ) with weather bars (24), it is mounted on the outer side of the roof window (1 ) while leaving the design of the roof window frame (3) of the roof window (1 ) in an original, intact condition, avoiding mechanical modification, the roof window (1 ) consists of a window (30) and a window frame (3), the window frame (3) consists of rear rim (14), side rims (28) provided with weather bars (24) and a lower rim (27), the mosquito net structure (2) is formed of a lower frame (5) and an upper frame (7) fitted thereto, the lower frame (5) consists of a rear element (9), side elements (10) and a first element (11), the upper frame (7) is formed of a fixed portion (20) and an opening part (21), the fixed portion (20) is attached to the lower frame (5), at least to the rear element (9) of the lower frame (5), the opening part (21) is connected to the fixed portion (20) by fittings (25), a mosquito net (4) is stretched on the upper frame (7), a pleated mosquito net (4) is inserted between the opening part (21) of the upper frame (7) and the lower part (29) of the lower frame (5) below the opening part (21) of the upper frame (7), the mosquito net (4) is also attached to the upper frame profile (8) by means of a sealing element (18), and the window frame (3) is inserted into the sloping roof portion of the building, characterized in that an additional rim (15) provided with a weather bar (24) is attached to the rear rim (14), the rear element (9) is fastened to the weather bar (24) of the additional rim (15), the side elements (10) are fastened to the weather bar (24) of the side rims (28) of the roof window (1) by means of a clamping element (22), and the first element (11) is fixed to the lower rim (27) of the roof window (1) by means of a fixing element (19), the rear element (9) and the side elements (10) of the lower frame (5) are provided with a lower frame profile (6), and its first element (11) is provided with a fixing element (19), the lower part (29) of the lower frame (5) at least below the opening part (21) of the upper frame (7) is provided with an upper nest (12), and at least the opening part (21) of the upper frame (7) is provided with a lower nest (13), an upper frame profile (8) is also formed in the upper frame (7) the upper nest (12) and the lower nest (13) are fitted on each other so that they overlap to form a common nest, the pleated mosquito net (4) is arranged so that the edges of the mosquito net (4) are attached to the bottom part (16) of the upper nest (12) and to the top part (17) of the lower nest (13).

2. Mosquito net structure according to claim 1 characterized in that stiffening fibres (26) are inserted in the mosquito net (4) between the upper nest (12) and the lower nest (13).

3. Mosquito net structure according to claimsl or 2 characterized in that the fixing element (19) is formed as part of the first member (11) of the lower frame (5).

4. Mosquito net structure according to any of claims 1 - 3 characterized in that the clamping element (22) is a spring member (23) fixed to the lower frame profile (6) of the lower frame (5).

5. Mosquito net structure according to any of claims 1 - 3 characterized in that the clamping element (22) is a rubber profile with steel inserts fixed to the lower frame profile (6) of the lower frame (5).

6. Mosquito net structure according to any of claims 1 - 5 characterized in that the stiffening fibers (26) are Kevlar fibers.

7. Mosquito net structure according to any of claims 1 - 5 characterized in that the stiffening fibers (26) are plastic fibers.