IT201900003263A1 - WINDOW - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

of the patent for industrial invention entitled:

"WINDOW"

The present invention relates to a window, of the opening type or of the fixed type.

Currently, very restrictive limits are foreseen in the design of windows with regard to energy heat loss and, in particular, with regard to thermal transmittance, both in the components of the fixtures (i.e. the fixed part of the windows) and in the components of the windows (i.e. the moving part).

Not being able to leave the function of heat shield to the glass of the window alone, the need is felt to perfect the known solutions so that the frames that form the window frames and doors and windows are highly performing in terms of thermal insulation and structural and preferably, they are environmentally sustainable and economically competitive.

The purpose of the present invention is to create a window that allows the above requirement to be fulfilled in a simple and economical way.

According to the present invention, a window is realized, as defined in claim 1.

With the present invention, lightweight window systems are obtained where the profiles that make up the perimeter frame have foam material provided with still air cells. In particular, the profiles of the new window systems according to the present invention are produced with specific molds, thanks to which reinforcements, hinges, external finishing shells, etc. can be embedded in the foam material. as "glass belt" profiles in the workshop, they perform not so much a function of structural elements (left to the double glazing inside the perimeter frame), but an insulating function and a function of filling joints in the spaces between the double glazing and the handling hardware and closing. In this way, the rigidity of the double glazing (and not that of the foam profiles) is exploited as a load-bearing element: in other words, it is as if the window moves without any perimeter frame, given the function of mere filling of the empty spaces assigned to the profiles.

The invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate some non-limiting examples of embodiment, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front view showing, in a simplified way, a preferred embodiment of the window according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a section along the line II-II of Figure 1;

Figures 3 to 5 are similar to Figure 2 and illustrate further embodiments of the window according to the present invention.

In Figure 1, the reference number 1 indicates a window comprising an external frame 2, connected in a fixed position to a supporting building structure, for example to a wall 3 (Figure 2); and a leaf 4, which engages an opening 5 defined by the frame 2 and is coupled to the frame 2 in a mobile way, to open and close this opening 5. For example, the leaf 4 is coupled to the frame 2 by means of hinges not shown so as to rotate around a vertical axis along an upright of the frame 2. It is evident, however, that the present invention also applies to windows of the fixed type, which cannot be opened, and to windows in which the opening technique is different from that mentioned above by way of example (for example vasistas windows).

The door 4 comprises a frame 10 consisting of frame elements arranged in series and defined by two vertical uprights 11 and two horizontal crosspieces 12. The ends 13 of the crosspieces 12 are fixed to the ends 14 of the uprights 11 in a known and not described way in detail, so as to form a quadrangular perimeter and define, inside the frame 10, an opening 15.

The door 4 also includes a transparent (or semi-transparent) panel, indicated by the reference number 16, which stably closes the opening 15 and includes at least one glass plate. According to a variant, the glass could be replaced by a different transparent material, for example PMMA (sometimes also referred to as "acrylic glass").

In the example shown in Figure 2, the panel 16 comprises two sheets 17 and 18, which are defined for example by a multilayer glass, and are parallel and spaced apart so as to form an interspace 20 between them, whereby the panel 16 defines a so-called “double glazing” or “double glazing”. The interspace 20 is isolated from the external environment by means of a spacer 21 placed between the plates 17 and 18 along a perimeter portion of the edge 22 of the panel 16. At the portion 22, the plates 17 and 18 are delimited by:

- respective faces 23 and 24, which are turned towards the outside of the panel 16 and are orthogonal to a direction 25;

- respective faces 26 and 27, which are parallel to faces 23 and 24 and are coupled tightly to the spacer 21, so as to maintain a vacuum condition in the interspace 20; And

- respective edges or end faces 28 and 29, which are transverse to the faces 23, 24, 26 and 27 and, preferably, are arranged in substantially coplanar positions with each other and with an external face 30 of the spacer 21.

In particular, face 23 faces, in use, towards the outside of the building in which window 1 is mounted, while face 24 faces an internal environment of that building.

Figure 2 shows the cross section of one of the crosspieces 12, but the same characteristics can also be applied to the other crosspiece 12 and / or to the uprights 11. The crosspiece 12 comprises at least one profiled element 31, which extends along a direction 32, orthogonal to the plane of the section of figure 2, preferably for the whole length of the crosspiece 12, ie from one end 13 to the other. The crosspiece 12 has a seat 33, which is parallel to the direction 32, is engaged by the portion 22 of the panel 16 and is defined by:

- a bottom surface 36, which faces the faces 28, 29 and 30, along a direction 37 orthogonal to the directions 25 and 32, and is spaced from the faces 28, 29 and 30;

- two shoulder surfaces 38 and 39, which are orthogonal to the direction 25, are transversal to the bottom surface 36, and are coupled respectively to the faces 23 and 24 (in direct support, or by means of a spacer or a gasket, or by means of a layer of adhesive sealant 40, or by means of a double-sided tape 41). It is therefore evident that the seat 33 has a U-shape, and the surfaces 38 and 39 form a jaw in which the portion 22 is gripped.

The profiled element 31 comprises an expanded polymeric material, in one piece. Preferably, this material is defined by expanded polystyrene, also known by the abbreviation EPS. By way of example, the material known under the trade name Airpop (registered trademark), made up of 98% still air, can be used.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the seat 33 is defined, at least in part, by the foam material of the profiled element 31. In other words, at least the bottom surface 36 is defined by this foam material. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the surfaces 38 and 39 are also defined by the expanded material and are joined to the bottom surface 36. The shape of the profiled element 31, in particular the shape of the seat 33, are obtained directly by molding, and not by cutting from a block of foam material.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, at least part of the space present between the bottom surface 36 and the portion 22 is filled with adhesive sealing material, which is preferably in the form of a continuous strip 42 and connects the faces 28, 29 and 30 to the bottom surface 36. In particular, this material is a structural adhesive sealant (ie, the adhesive sealant is capable of creating an elastic but mechanically integral bond between the panel 16 and the foam material of the profiled element 31.

In particular, this material must be chosen from those available that are suitable for bonding glass and foam material.

During the assembly of the window 1, the adhesive sealant suitable for forming the strip 42 is injected into an empty space between the bottom surface 36 and the portion 22 of the panel 16, after having positioned the portion 22 in the seat 33. Alternatively, the adhesive sealant suitable for forming the strip 42 is deposited or spread on the bottom surface 36, in a still unconsolidated condition, and subsequently the portion 22 of the panel 16 is inserted into the seat 33 and rested against this adhesive sealant. In both procedures, the adhesive sealant polymerizes and, consolidating, is stably fixed to the foam material of the bottom surface 36 and to the faces 28 and 29 of the plates 17 and 18. Thanks to this fixing, the sealing adhesive of the strip 42 allows to leave the lift and support characteristics of the door to panel 16 4.

Preferably, the profiled element 31 comprises at least one core or stiffening insert 43, at least a part of which is embedded in the foam material.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, the profiled element 31 is defined by foam material and by one or more inserts or cores 43, embedded in the foam material, without further additional elements. In particular, the insert 43 is completely embedded in an end portion 44 of the profiled element 31, which defines the surface 38 and, therefore, in use, is arranged on the external side of the building where the window 1 is mounted. , the insert 43 is defined by an elongated element, parallel to the direction 32, for example a tubular element, such as to define an internal cavity 45; the core 43 can comprise a plurality of holes 46, thanks to which the expanded material, during molding, fills at least partially the cavity 45. More in detail, during the production of the profiled element 31, the insert 43 is arranged in a fixed position in a mold, and the foam material is over-molded on this insert 43. Preferably, the insert 43 is made of metal material, but could be made of different materials, however, having a greater stiffness than that of the molded foam material .

In particular, the profiled element 31 includes:

- a base portion 47, defining the bottom surface 36;

- the aforementioned portion 44, which protrudes from one end of the portion 47, parallel to the direction 37; - an appendix 48, which projects from the portion 47 parallel to the direction 37 and defines the shoulder surface 39; and

- a terminal portion 49, defining an extension of the portion 47 parallel to the direction 25, on the same side of the appendix 48, i.e. towards the interior of the building.

The crosspiece 12 also comprises a plurality of gaskets 50 and possibly one or more components 51 defined by mechanisms, sensors or metal closure elements. The gaskets 50 and the components 51 are brought into fixed positions by the profiled element 31 and, in particular, they are snap or pressure coupled to retention seats and / or retention teeth, defined by the foam material. Alternatively or in combination with this type of coupling, the gaskets 50 and / or the components 51 are glued to the profiled element 31. According to a variant not shown, the components 51 are fixed by means of screws, screwed into threaded seats of inserts embedded in the material expanded.

When the leaf 4 is closed, the gaskets 50 abut against the external frame 2. The crosspieces and the uprights of the frame 2 comprise respective profiled elements 61 which have a structure and materials similar to those of the profiled elements 31. Specifically, the The expanded material of the profiled element 61 is carried by at least one bracket, for example by two brackets 62 and 63 defined by extruded aluminum and fixed to the wall 3 by means of screws or dowels. The fastening between the extrusions 62,63 and the profiled element 61 is obtained through a layer of glue 65 and / or through screws 66 (screwed into one or more inserts 67, embedded in the foam material of the profiled element 61). The profiled element 61 can also carry one or more components 68 (and / or gaskets not shown), similarly to what is described above for components 51.

Figures 3 to 5 relate to other embodiments. The parts that make up the frame 10 and the frame 2 have been indicated, where possible, by the same reference numbers used for the corresponding parts visible in figure 2, but followed respectively by the reference letters "a", "b" and "c ".

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the terminal portion 44 of Figure 2 is absent, and is replaced by a pressure element 71 which is distinct from the profiled element 31a and defines the surface 38a, which is coupled to the face 23 by means of a gasket 72, preferably carried in a fixed position by the pressing element 71. The pressing element 71 extends along the entire length of the profiled element 31a and of the panel 16 and, for example, is defined by an aluminum extrusion. The pressure element 71 is fixed to the portion 47a by means of screws 73, screwed into threaded seats obtained in an insert 43a embedded in the foam material of the portion 47a. By acting on the screws 73 it is possible to approach the pressure element 71 to the portion 47a parallel to the direction 25 and then compress the gasket 72 against the face 23.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, the panel 16 comprises two gaps 20; the portion 44b is externally coated by a half-shell 81, which is preferably defined by an aluminum extrusion; the portion 49b is also covered by a half-shell 83, preferably made of aluminum, comprising an appendix 48b, which defines the surface 39b and carries, in a fixed position, a gasket 85 which rests against the face 24. According to a variant not shown, the gasket 85 is absent, and the appendix 48b rests on the face 24 or fixed by means of a sealing adhesive.

The half-shells 81 and 83 are fixed to the foam material of the profiled element 31b, for example by gluing or, preferably, by overmoulding this foam material during the production of the crosspiece 12b.

The half-shells 81 and 83 essentially have an aesthetic function and can be made of a metal material other than aluminum or a plastic material, such as PVC. In this specific case, they also perform a support function for the seals 50b.

Similarly, the foam material of the profiled element 61b is also covered by an external half-shell 87 and an internal half-shell 89, having functions and structure similar to the half-shells 81 and 83. Furthermore, in this example, the profiled element 61b is placed directly on the wall 3 and fixed by screws, without brackets.

In the embodiment of figure 5, half-shells 81c, 87c and 89c are provided, similar to the corresponding half-shells 81, 87 and 89 of figure 4, even if they preferably have a box-like structure so as to delimit internal channels parallel to the direction 32 The portion 49c is covered by a half-shell 83c which, unlike the half-shell 83 of Figure 4, does not define the surface 39c of the seat 33c. This surface 39c is defined by a pressure element 71c distinct from the profiled element 31c and coupled to the face 24 by means of a gasket 72c resting on a shoulder of the pressure element 71c. The pressure element 71c has a substantially L-shape, is fixed to the portion 49c by means of screws 73c, screwed to an insert 43c embedded in the foam material of the portion 49c, and is covered by a wall 90 snap-coupled or pressure-coupled to the pressure element 71c .

Thanks to the expanded material of the profiled elements 31, 31a, 31b, 31c, an innovative profile is obtained where the thermal insulation function is integrated directly into the frame structure, i.e. it is integrated into the profile of the frame 10.

In frame 10, the use of materials that have so far characterized the production of doors and windows, such as metals such as aluminum, and which are not suitable for the thermal insulation performance required by the market and / or by regulations, is extremely limited. Moreover, in frame 10, the use of PVC is also extremely limited, which is now widely used, but is difficult to dispose of.

At the same time, the frame 10 is integrated with the panel 16, that is to say with the double-glazing, with a gluing bond defined by the strip 42, in structural adhesive. As mentioned above, in this way, the frame 10 no longer has to perform a load-bearing function, so that it is possible to reduce the width of the cross-section of the frame 10, to the advantage of a greater glazed surface and a minimum visual encumbrance as regards the frame 10 itself. In this way, it is possible to exploit the best thermal insulation performance for each of the two components (frame 10 and panel 16) of window 1. In other words, by expanding the size of the double-glazed unit defined by the panel 16, its performance from the thermal point of view.

The frame 10 is, in essence, only a "glass belt" element that surrounds and protects the perimeter of the panel 16 (ie the portion 22), but does not perform the primary structural function, which instead is delegated to the glass of the panel 16. The frame 10 is limited to guaranteeing air and water tightness and housing and / or carrying the closing and safety mechanisms and gaskets.

The material chosen to form the seat 33, 33a, 33b and 33c is also extremely insulating (it has a thermal conductivity of about 0.032 W / (m · K)). In particular, during forming it expands 50 times its original volume and traps still air, while remaining strong and rigid. In other words, the chosen material combines strength and lightness, as well as being recyclable.

At the same time, it is possible to provide different surface finishes, in particular on the aforementioned half-shells, which can be easily applied on the actual foam material and, preferably, can be integrated directly during the molding of the frame 10, i.e. by overmoulding this foam material. .

It is also evident that window 1 is not only highly performing from the point of view of thermal insulation, but is also very advantageous at an economic level.

Finally, it appears evident from the foregoing that modifications and variations may be made to the window 1 described with reference to the attached figures which do not go beyond the scope of the present invention, as defined in the attached claims.

In particular, the shape and the dimensions of the cross section of the profiled elements which form the frame 10 and / or the frame 2 could be different from what is illustrated by way of example. Instead of the panel 16, a transparent or semitransparent panel having different structure and / or number of plates could be provided. Furthermore, the foam material could be different from that indicated, for example defined by expanded polymers with fire resistance or flame retardant properties.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS 1.- Window (1) comprising: - a panel (16), transparent or semi-transparent, comprising a perimeter edge portion (22) and - a frame (10), which comprises a plurality of frame elements (11,12) arranged so as to form the perimeter of an opening (15) closed by said panel (16); said frame elements defining a seat (33), which is engaged by said edge perimeter portion (22) and is defined by: - a bottom surface (36) spaced from said edge perimeter portion (22) by a space, and - a first and a second shoulder (38,39) transversal to said bottom surface (36) and coupled directly or indirectly to respective faces (23,24) of said edge perimeter portion (22); characterized by the fact that - said frame elements (11,12) comprise respective sections (31) comprising expanded polymeric material which defines at least said bottom surface (36); - said space, at least in part, is engaged by an adhesive sealant which fixes the expanded polymeric material of said bottom surface (36) to said perimeter edge portion (22). 2.- Window according to claim 1; characterized in that said expanded polymeric material is expanded polystyrene. 3. A window according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said sealing adhesive is a structural sealing adhesive. 4.- Window according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sections (31) comprise respective stiffening cores (42) at least partially embedded in said expanded polymeric material. 5.- Window according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first shoulder is defined by said expanded polymeric material. 6. A window according to Claim 5, characterized in that said second shoulder is defined by metal elements (71; 71c) fixed to said sections. 7.- Window according to Claim 6, characterized in that said metal elements (71; 71c) are fixed to said sections by means of screws, which are screwed into at least one insert embedded in said expanded polymeric material. 8. A window according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises a gasket (72; 72c) interposed between said second shoulder and the corresponding face of said edge perimeter portion (22). 9. A window according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that it comprises an adhesive (40, 41) which couples said first shoulder to the corresponding face of said edge perimeter portion (22). 10. A window according to Claim 4, characterized in that said first shoulder is also defined by said expanded polymeric material.