GB2048350A

GB2048350A - Insulated frame member

Info

Publication number: GB2048350A
Application number: GB8012256A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: HASSELBACHER W
Current assignee: HASSELBACHER W
Priority date: 1979-04-20
Filing date: 1980-04-14
Publication date: 1980-12-10
Also published as: DE2916092A1; FR2454509A1; JPS5612486A; NL8002258A

Abstract

A structure, of strip form for example a composite insulated member used as part of a door frame, comprises parallel outer metallic parts (1) and an intermediate, connecting resilient body (3). The intermediate body, at each side confronting a metallic part, is of a C-shaped cross-section with the free limbs (6, 7) of the C designed to fit between opposed ribs (17, 18) on the associated metal part. The free limbs of the C have projections (14, 15) for snap-in engagement in longitudinal recesses (19, 20) in the corresponding ribs. Adhesive (5) to fix the ends (12, 13) of the ribs or plastics material to foam and fill the cavity may be provided in the channel (4). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A composite structure comprising rigid parts with a resilient part uniting them This invention relates to a structure, usually of strip form comprising rigid outer parts connected by a deformable, resilient intermediate part of shaped or profiled cross-section. Structures of this nature, which are known in Germany as "verbundprofil", may for example be found in door frames. The present invention is particularly concerned with a structure of this nature comprising two parallel metal outer parts held together by an intermediate part in the form of an insulating body of C- or multi C-section pressed between the inner sides of the metal parts with the resilient free limbs of the C, or the C's, engaging in grooves in the metal parts defined by ribs outstanding from these parts.

This latter kind of structure will hereinafter be defined as "a structure of the kind set forth".

A structure of the kind set forth is disclosed in DE-AS 2639 113. In this, the resilient limbs of the insulating body are spread by a wedge strip, the free ends of the limbs having opposite-directed angled portions with outer chamfers which correspond with inner oblique parts of the associated ribs which define the base of an obtuse angle, an anchorage for the wedge strip being provided at the shank of the insulating body. The production of two separate parts even if they are of the same material-is relatively costly and implies the use of two different extruder shapes.

The object of the present invention is to provide a structure of the kind set forth above of a simpler and more economical form.

This object is met by the fact that in accordance with the present invention at least one of the free limbs of the or each C has along its length an outstanding projection which has a snap fit in an internal recess in the confronting face of the associated rib.

The integral insulating body is particularly simple to manufacture and only requires one extruder form.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention the projections is of polygonal form and the tip thereof makes linear contact with the associated side of the opposed recess in the confronting rib face. In DE-AS 2639 11 3 there is, admittedly, only linear contact between the insulating body and the metal parts to reduce frictional resistance during the insertion of the insulating body but the introduction of the insulating body according to the invention is not effected by pushing the body in the longitudinal direction but by pressing the same in the transverse direction relatively to the axial length of the body, so that the linear contact only occurs in the end position of the insulating body in its working status; manufacturing tolerances, particularly in the production of the metal are thereby compensated .

In accordance with a feature of the invention at least one of said free limbs of the insulating body has an inwardly offset part and a section adjacent this part providing for abutment and positioning of the insulating body against the upper edge of the associated rib. This abutment, in combination with the engagement of the tips of the projections in the associated recesses in the metal parts, caters for accurate spacing between the latter.

The free ends of the limbs may have extensions facing the base of the groove. The increase in the contact surface between the insulating body and the metal parts produced by this has proven to be particularly useful if, as set out further below, provision is made for cementing or adhesion or a foaming of the insulating body.

In accordance with a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention a cement or adhesive is provided at least in the bottom of the groove to unite the separate free ends of the limbs with the metal parts and preferably with each other. In this way not only is there an anchorage of the insulating body in a direction transverse to the metal parts, but there is also anchorage in the direction of the length of the body and additionally a connection between the free ends of the limbs. A channel extending in the longitudinal direction of the body may be provided in the base of the groove for the cement or adhesive. This channel is advantageously wider than the iner spacing between the free ends of the limbs.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention the hollow interior of the insulating body is filled with a hard foam. The use of a hard foam in a structure of the kind set forth is known, with the foam filling the space between the two metal parts. In the present instance however the hard foam material first of all serves to unite the free ends of the limbs together and to inhibit relative movement between the insulating body and the metal parts, and secondly the hard foam is used in the hollow interior of the insulating body itself, that is to say not simply as a bridge between the metal parts.

In this invention, moreover, a longitudinallyextending cavity may be provided in the base of the channel in the metal part of a width less than the spacing between the free ends of the limbs of the inserted C of the insulating body and serving for the introduction of the material of said hard foam plastic. Since, as is known, certain types of foam material only commence their foaming after a quarter of a minute or more, the "foam material strips" can be inserted in the channel and only then the insulating body introduced to be snapped into engagement.

The foaming thereafter extends practically exclusively into the hollow space in the insu lating body and can -be so controlled as to make the foaming sufficiently powerful for a strong inner pressure to be exerted on the free limbs of the body.

The insulating body can be of miror image construction relatively to the plane midway between the metal parts; it can however also be of asymmetrical construction relatively to a plane which intersects the insulating body centrally and extends at right angles to the metal parts.

The contact faces of the insulating body against the metal parts may have ribs, flutings or the like which extend in the longitudinal direction of the body; and free ends of the limb of the insulating body advantageously have ribs, flutings or the like which run transversely to the latter.

Examples of embodiment of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and will be describ'ed in more detail below. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a cross section of an embodiment of the invention shortly before the parts are united, Figure 2 is a similar illustration of this embodiment of the invention after the insulating body has been anchored in position, Figure 3 is a cross section through a second embodiment of the invention, Figure 4 is a cross section through a third embodiment of the invention, Figure 5 is a cross section through a fourth embodiment, and Figure 6 is a perspective illustration of yet another embodiment.

The structure illustrated in Fig. 1 used for the door frame of an outer door, comprises two mirror-image aluminium frame sections (outer parts) 1, one only of which is shown in the drawing. An insulating shaped body 3, which is of mirror-image form in relation to the medial plane 2 and one half only of which is shown, is introduced between the frame sections. An adhesive or cement 5 is applied or introduced into a reception channel 4 running in the longitudinal direction of each metal part 1 before the insulating body 3 is inserted, and this body is then pressed into the metal part 1 in the direction of arrow 6.

After it has been pressed in, for example by a roller, it assumes the position illustrated in Fig. 2.

The insulating body 3 is of mirror-image Csection at the two sides of the medial plane 2.

The two limbs 6 and 7 of each C have offset parts 8 and 9 respectively which have, at their inset free ends 10, 11, extensions 12 and 13 respectively. The limbs 6 and 7 have integral outer projections 14 and 15, spaced from the free ends 10, 11 and the extensions 12 and 13, and these constitute a means to hold the insulating body at right angles to the main plane of the metal parts. A groove 16 furnished centrally in each metal part has a substantially flat base and is defined by upstanding ribs 17 and 18.

Longitudinally-extending recesses 19 and 20 are provided in the ribs 17 and 18 to receive the projections 14 and 15 of the insulating body 3 in the working position, as will be pointed out below.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the outer faces 21 and 22 of the insulating body are flush with the corresponding outer faces 23 and 24 of the ribs 17 and 18 when the parts are interengaged. In this embodiment moreover there are longitudinal stripform stumps 25, 26 adjacent the transition between the limbs 6 and 7 and the offset parts 8 and 9, these stumps having an end face which is substantially parallel to the main plane of the associated metal part in the working position and then bear against the end edges 27 and 28 of the ribs 17, 18. The wall thickness of the insulating body is approximately 1-2 m/m to increase the insulating effect, because a greater thickness of material might, in some circumstances, produce a cold bridge.

For the sake of simplicity the anchorage of the insulating body will now be described in more detail solely as regards the lefthand side in the drawing. The anchorage at the other side against the rib 18 of the metal body 1 will take place in mirror-image fashion. The recess 19 in the rib 17 is defined by a more obtuse angle in relation to the main plane of the metal part 1, in the zone at which it contacts the insulating body 3, than is the opposed surface of the projection 14. If for example the contact face 30 of the recess 19, which of course extends in the same longitudinal direction as that of the body, defines with the main plane of the metal part an angle of about 45 , the opposed face 31 of the projection 14 makes for example an angle of only 30 with the main plane of the metal part.What this achieves is that the tip 32 of the projection 14 slides along the face 30, and when in the operative position there is only linear contact. Since moreover the recess 19 is substantially larger than the corresponding projection 14 and, above all, the contact face 30 is longer than the surface 31, manufacturing tolerances, particularly during production of the metal parts-for example of aluminium---can be absorbed.

The extensions 12, 13 of the limbs 6, 7 are-as is apparent from Fig. 2-surrounded by cement 5 when the insulating body has reached the end position and extend into the channel 4 in the metal part 1. The end faces 40, 41 of the extensions 12, 13 have ribs, flutings or the like 42 extending in the longitudinal direction of the body. Stepped faces 43, 44 of the metal part correspond to the stepped ends 10, 11 of the limbs 6, 7, and all these parts are connected by the adhesive or cement 5.

As further will be seen from Fig. 2, the cement is disposed at a level 45 above the end faces 40 and 41 so that the extensions 12, 13 of the limbs 6 and 7 are not only cemented at the proper places with the metal parts, but the spacing between the extensions 12 and 13 are filled and fixed by the cement.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3 the insulating body 50 is again of mirror-image, double-C formation relatively to its medial plane 51 and is held between metal parts 52 which again are repeated in obverse fashion, but the insulating body 50 is here anchored in the working position at one side only.

Whilst the lefthand limb 53 corresponds to the limb 7 of Figs. 1 and 2, the righthand limb 54 is formed as a rectilinearly extending wall part. The cement 55 in this embodiment is disposed in the trough 56 of the metal part 52 and holds the extension 57 of the free end 58 of this limb and the arm 59 of the righthand limb 54 spaced from one another in the working position and connected to the metal part 52. The gap 60 between the rib 61, which is of plate form, and the limb 54 may be filled with adhesive or a sealing agent. The opposed rib 62 is of like crosssection to the rib 70 (see below).

The insulating body 63 illustrated in Fig. 4 has the same form as the insulating body 3; it is inserted between the metal part 65 and an opposed and like metal part (not shown) again in mirror-image fashion in relation to the medial plane 64. The limbs 66, 67 of the insulating body 63 are equivalent to the limbs 6 and 7; the ribs 69 and 70 correspond to the ribs 17 and 18, so that to avoid repetition the details of the contact parts will here be omitted. The channelled section 71 in the metal part 65, which serves to accommodate the extension 72 and 73 of the limbs 66 and 67 has however at its central part a cavity 74 which is of lesser width than the spacing of the inner edges 75 and 76 of the limbs 66 and 67, but extends over the complete length of the metal part 65.

Before inserting or pressing down the insulating body 63 into the metal part, in this embodiment a cement is introduced into the cavity 74, and a hard foamed material 77 developed from this cement. Since, as is known, certain plastic materials which can be foamed do not begin their foaming action until after a certain time delay, for example sixteen to eighteen seconds, from the first exposure to oxygen or atmospheric air, after the charging of the cavity 74 the plastic insulating body 63 can be inserted in the metal part 65, as described, so that the development of the foam only then begins.

The foaming material 77 not only fills the hollow space in the insulating body 63, but also exerts an internal pressure on the limbs 66, 67 so that these are wedged more firmly in the metal part 65. More than this, the material also penetrates into the gap between the extensions 72 and 73 of the limbs 76, 77 and the metal part 65, so that the cementing action mentioned above is augmented by the foamed material. The foam material 77 moreover has a particularly favourable heat-insulating effect.

The embodiment of the insulating body 80 illustrated in Fig. 5 differs from the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 and described in connection therewith, only by the projections 81 and 82, which are rounded in the former.

Even although it is possible to make the opposed contact surfaces 83 and 84 likewise rounded cven with a larger radius-a rectilinear construction of these faces is preferred.

The insulating body 90 shown in perspective in Fig. 6 has at the end faces 91 of the extension 92, and at the correspondingly stepped sides 93, the ribs or flutings 94 previously referred to. Whilst the other features of the insulating body 90 corresponding to those of the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2 in this later embodiment the extensions 92 have rectangular gaps 95 at a regular or even irregular spacing, the object of these being to inhibit longitudinal movement of the insulating body in the metal parts. The gaps may for example be produced by appropriately notching the body 90 directly after leaving the mouth of the extruder. Since the notches 95 will of course be completely filled with the cement in the anchored condition, there will be a very intimate union between the groove in the metal part and the insulating body.

As concerns the material used for production of the insulating body the following may be mentioned: a modified hard polyvinylchloride with a heat resistivity of 97 C, an ABS plastic with a heat resistivity point of 107 C and a glass reinforced polyamide 6.6 with a very high heat resistivity point of 230 C.

Particularly when use is made of the last mentioned plastic it is possible to colour the metal parts, for example those made of aluminium, after the insulating body has been applied, stove enamelling then being performed thereon in the usual way.

In this connection mention is made of a further polyamide plastic with a mineral filler, having a heat resistivity point of 250 C. The stove enamelling or anodisation necessitates in contrast only a temperature of about 205 C.

Claims

1. A structure of the kind set forth, characterised by the fact that at least one of the free limbs of the or each C has along its length an outstanding projection which has a snap fit in an internal recess in the confronting face of the associated rib.

2. A structure according to Claim 1, characterised by the fact that the projection is of polygonal form and the tip thereof makes linear contact with the associated side of the opposed recess in the confronting rib face.

3. A structure according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that at least one of said free limbs of the insulating body has an inwardly offset part and a section adjacent this part providing for abutment and positioning of the insulating body against the upper edge of the associated rib.

4. A structure according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterised by the face that the free ends of the aforesaid limbs are provided with downturned extensions for insertion in a longitudinal channel in the associated groove in the metal part and this channel is charged with an adhesive or cement.

5. A structure according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterised by the fact that the hollow interior of the insulating body is filled with hard foam plastic.

6. A structure according to Claim 5, characterised by the fact that the longitudinallyextending cavity is provided in the base of the channel in the metal part of a width less than the spacing between the free ends of the limbs of the inserted C of the insulating body and serving for the introduction of the material of said hard foam plastic.

7. A structure according to any of Claims 1-6, characterised by the fact that the insulating body, when in position, is of mirror-image form relatively to the plane centrally between the metal parts.

8. A structure according to any of Claims 1-7, characterised by the fact that the insulating body is asymmetrical in relation to a plane which centrally bisects the insulating body and is at right angles to the metal parts.

9. A structure according to any of Claims 1-8, characterised by the fact that the end faces of the insulating body confronting the metal parts are provided with ribs, flutings or the like which run in the longitudinal direction of the body.

10. A structure according to any of Claims 1-9, characterised by the fact that the free ends of the limbs of the insulating body have ribs, flutings or the like which run transversely to the latter.

11. Structures of the kind set forth herein and as described in connection with the accompanying drawings.