WO1979001168A1

WO1979001168A1 - Mechanism for window insulation

Info

Publication number: WO1979001168A1
Application number: PCT/DK1979/000017
Authority: WO
Inventors: O Gram
Original assignee: Gram As O; O Gram
Priority date: 1978-06-01
Filing date: 1979-05-31
Publication date: 1979-12-27
Also published as: EP0016022A1; DK243878A

Abstract

A window shutter (1, 2) for insulating against heat loss and noise to be placed on the inside of windows or other glass surfaces in buildings. The shutter consists of two or more, preferably three or five, mutually connected and foldable lamelles (5) that have the form of relatively thick rectangular plates of an insulating and opaque material for example a plastic foam. In unfolded state all the plates are brought close up by the window plate (3) and completely covering it. In folded state all the plates are folded upon the outermost lamella (5), alongside the window-frame (4).

Description

Mechanism for Window Insulation

The invention relates to a mechanism to be placed preferably on the insideP of windows or other glass areas in buildings, ships, caravans, etc. for insulation against heat loss and noise.

The problem underlying the present invention is that window areas permit considerable amounts of heat and noise to pass resp, out and in through the windows of a building, despite the increasingly improved quality of thermopanes and various limitations in the total area permitted. It is further realised that the winter season, in which the demand for heat insulation is highest is also the time of the year during which the need for transparen window areas is smallest, as in most rooms the daylight is either not used as a source of light at all, or if it is, then only for a few hours a day. An insulating, opaque means for covering the window area is therefore a possible solution, more particularly so if it is easily foldable and can be completely removed when no longer needed.

Existing methods for protection of windows do not particularly serve the purpose of insulating against either heat loss or noise Thus ordinary or Venetian blinds intended for mounting on the inside of windows have only very low insulating effect, and the same goes for shutters and screen windows. However, insulating Venetian blinds have been suggested. Thus the German Offenlegung schrift no. 2,053,596 introduces an insulating blind, which can be rolled up and down, consisting of hinged lamellae connected to each other and to guide ways in both sides by means of keyed joints, mainly in order to prevent the lamellae from rattling in the wind, but also for the purpose of insulating against heat loss. The problems of heat and sound insulation of both old and new windows do not seem to have been solved so far to any satisfactory extent and in a reasonably simple way.

The specific character of the mechanism for window insulation according to the present invention is stated in the characterising section of Claim 1.

The mechanism according to the invention owes its insulating effect primarily to a highly insulating layer of a certain thickness, say 2-3 cm, which is placed so as to cover the entire glass surface of a window, thus reducing the heatloss which occurs by conduction through the window. Secondarily, the heatloss by convection is reduced, because the insulating layer is placed close to the glass so as to prevent any circulating warm air, for instance caused by the radiators normally placed under windows, from entering between the glass and the insulating mechanism. The close contact between the insulating mechanism and the window further has a sound insulating effect. Finally, loss of energy due to heat radiation may also be limited, as the insulating mechan¬ism may advantageously be provided with a reflecting coating, for instance aluminium foil, paint or vacuum metallising, preferably on the side facing the heated room, or, if desired on both sides.

The invention provides a simple, economical and yet highly insu¬lating mechanism which is easy to produce, to mount, to operate and to de-mount, and which can lead to an appreciable limitation of both energy waste and noise nuisances in new as well as in old buildings. The mechanism may further fulfil other functions as well, such as blackout curtain for showing of films, for better sleep, and as insulation against heat from outside in summer; thus it may serve at the same time as a substitute for thermopanes, storn-windows, ordinary and Venetian blinds, and, to a cer¬tain extent, for shutters and curtains. In addition the mechanism provides a simple and good protection. against breakage of the glass, which might be utilised right from the stage of production, transport and installation of the windows. Besides, the insulating mechanism is so simple that adapting it to almost any shape and size of window will be a relatively simple matter, as it may be composed of very few lamellae in a relatively small number of standard sizes, and may, if necessary, be shortened and supplemented by matching members of the same material as the mechanism. In the following the invention will be more specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which

fig. 1 shows a front view, in unfolded state, of one embodiment of the invention, in which two insulating mechanisms are placed in juxtaposition, fig. 2 a cross section of the same two insulating mechanisms, seen from above fig. 3 a front view of the two insulating mechanisms in the folded state, fig. 4 a cross section of the two insulating mechanisms in the folded state fig. 5 a cross-sectional view of a single lamella of the insulati mechanism, fig. 6 a cross sectional view of two lamellae connected by a hingt fig. 7 an alternative design of the hinge, fig. 8 an alternative design of the cross sectional shape of the lamellae fig. 9 a possible means for maintaining the lamellae in the foldec state, fig. 10 a possible means for maintaining the lamellae in the unfolded state, fig. 11 a number of insulating mechanisms arranged so as to serve very wide windows , and fig. 12 an alternative arrangement of the folded lamellae.

Figs. 1-4 show the embodiment of the invention which is probably the most viable, viz. two juxtaposed insulating mechanisms 1 and 2, acting together. In the unfolded state these two in conjunction cover the entire glass surface of a window 3 within the window frame 4. Each of the mechanisms consists of a number, here five, of longitudinal, insulating plates or lamellae 5 of a certain thickness. As it appears from figs. 3 and 4, the lamellae 5 can be folded on top of each other, whereby the insulating mechanism, when in the folded state, permits most of the light to pass.

In the case of narrower windows, two lamellae may suffice, or rather three, since the operation of folding the lamellae is simpler to perform with an uneven number of lamellae. Often only a single insulating mechanism 1 will be needed, so that the second insulating mechanism 2 is either alltogether obviated, or else can be replaced by a very narrow matching lamella, fastened to the window pane 3 along the window frame 4, preferably of the same material as the insulating mechanism, for the purpose of adjusting any differences of width. When the mutually connected lamellae are in their folded state, the lamella 5a placed closest to the window pane 3, which is usually the one located nearest to the window frame 4, can advantageously be fixed to the window frame for the duration of the season in which it is used, or better still, to the window pane 3 with the flat surface of the lamella 5a placed parallel to and in close contact with the pane.

he other foldable lamellae 5» which are mutually connected as ell as being connected to the fixed lamella 5a, will then in the folded state be placed on . top of the fixed lamella 5a and parallel to it, as shown in fig. 4. To facilitate folding and unfolding of the lamellae, the lamella placed farthest from thefixed lamella 5a, designated by the number 5b, may be provided ith a handle 6 or some other means for gripping the lamella. The individual lamellae may be made of, for instance, foam plastics, preferably with closed cells and of suitable mechanical strength and resilience, such as polystyrene foam of a fire retardant quality, polyvinylchloride foam, or polyurethane foam. The lam¬ellae may advantageously have a chiefly rectangular and uniform cross section; but they may also be constructed as a sandwich structure, as shown in fig. 5, where the solidly drawn U-shaped part of the cross section of the lamella 7 consists of, for instance, hard, extruded polyvinychloride, and whose cavity 8 is filled with foam of a lower density or, if preferred, with min¬eral wool. A similar effect may be achieved by using socalled structure foam of polyurethane. A reflecting coating may then conveniently be applied to the backside of the insulating mechanism, ie to the lower part of the U-shaped section of the lamella 7 in fig. 5.

The lamella 5a fastened to the window may advantageously be fastened to tire actual glass surface by means of a preferably water-soluble adhesive, which makes it easy to remove the mechanism completely, for instance, for the summer season, without any dam¬age to the window. The adhesive should have an effect adequate for keeping the light, insulating mechanism affixed to the window for a considerable period of time, but at the same time it should be resilient and not cause the mechanism to adhere^, any stronger to the window than it can easily be detached from the window a-gain without becoming damaged so that it may be used again the following winter. The means for affixation may also be in the form of double-adhesive tape, sucking discs, or the like The fixed lamellae 5a may also be fastened to the window frame by means of a clamping device, or by some other means.

The individual lamellae 5 are connected in pairs by hinges 9, which may however, also form an integral part of the lamellae.

The hinges 9 may vary, from ordinary metal hinges to just a length of flexible tape. But they can advantageously be made of a type of plastics which will endure repeated bending, such as polypropylene, and be of the same length as the lamellae 5. The design of the hinges 9 may, if desired, be such that it permits the hinges 9 to be fastened directly to the lamellae 5 by simply pressing them into a slit 10 cut in the lamellae 5, as shown in fig. 6. The lamellae 5 and the hinges may, however, advantageously be stuck to each other in a way which facilitates folding and unfolding of the lamellae. As shown in fig. 7 an accurate agglutination may be ensured by means of a fin 11 running the length of the hinge. The fin 11 of the hinge 9 may, as shown in fig. 9 also be provided with a cavity 12, or the like, which makes the fin 11 resilient in compression, and provides added proofing between the lamellae 5. In order further to ensure an insulating effect also in the space between the individual lamellae 5 these may, as it appears from fig. 8, be provided with flanges 13 and corresponding recesses 14, or with other appropriate sections. In order to ensure a good and simple folding the hinges 9 should be placed in such a way that they alternately face away from and against the window pane 3, starting with hinge 9a, which is the hinge connected to the fixed lamella 5a, facing away from the pane, as in fig. 10.

As shown in fig. 9, the movable lamellae 5 may be held close on to the fixed lamella 5a by means of an elastic string 15, one end of which can be fastened to the window frame 4 or to the fixed lamella, while the other may be provided with a hook 16, or the like, which can be fixed, for example, in a countersunk screw e 17 in the opposite side of the fixed lamella when the insulatin mechanism is in the folded state. When the mechanism is unfolded, the elastic string 15 may, for example, be fixed in an eye in the opposite side of the window frame 4. Where two insulating mechanisms 1 and 2 are mounted in conjunction, as in fig. 10, the elastic strings 15 can advantageously be joined in the middle by the two hooks 16, thus causing the individual lamellae 5 to be pressed close to the window pane 3, for example over the handle 6. If required, the elastic strings 15 can be provided with balls 18, or the like, to ensure that all lamellae 5 are pressed close against the pane 3. However, the lamellae 5, ore some of them, may instead be fitted with small magnets, snap fasteners, or the like, which may provide simple securing of the lamellae, in both the folded and the unfolded state. Perhaps an elastic band slipped around the two juxtaposed handles, one for each of the insulating mechanisms 1 and 2, may provide adequate securing. If possible, the centre of gravity of the individual lamellae 5 may be placed in such a way that stability of the lamellae is secured, both in the folded and the unfolded state. The stabilising effect may be enhanced by letting the axis on which the lamellae 5 turn form a suitably acute angle with the vertical axis. A combination of. the various suggestions for securing described above is also a possibility.

A larger number of lamellae 5 and/or perhaps broader lamellae will be needed for very broad windows. However, this problem may be solved, as shown in fig. 11, by dividing the glass surface 3 in two equal parts by means of two extra sets of insulating mechanisms 19 and 20 placed close together in the middle of the pane 3 and unfolding in opposite directions to meet a corresponding insulating mechanism 1 which unfolds towards the middle of the window from the usual position next to the window frame 4. With this arrangement is avoided, also where very broad glass areas are involved, that even fairly thick lamellae in the folded state project inconveniently far from the window pane 3 or beyond the usual position of a curtain. With ordinary windows the cur¬tains will generally be capable of concealing the insulating mechanism in its folded state, as said mechanism as folded takes up only the width of the single lamella fixed next to the window frame 4. Fig. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the insulating mecha_¬ nism according to the invention, in which the lamellae 5 are placed in the folded state with the flat surface practically at right angles to the pane _}, . The folding and unfolding action of the lamellae 5 may then be aided by guide tracks or similar devices, for example something like the system known from folding doors. Such a system would permit a higher degree of automation by means of electric motors of the folding and unfolding of the mechanism.

So far the lamellae 5 of the insulating mechanism have been described as having a vertical position, ie as being mutually movable around a practically vertical axis. However, a horizontaJ position of the lamellae of the insulating mechanism might also be a possibility, as are positions in which the lamellae are movable around axes of other inclinations.

The insulating mechanism may advantageously cover only the actuaJ glass area 3 of the window, as the window frame 4 in most cases will be made of a considerably thicker material with better insulating properties, such as wood. In this way is achieved that the window frame 4, which is usually relatively narrow, is left free, which permits the window to be conveniently opened and closed foi ventilation, even with the insulating mechanism mounted on the window and regardless of whether the insulating mechanism is in its folded or unfolded state. However, embodiments of the invention in which the insulating mechanism covers in addition a largei or smaller part of the window frame is also a possibility, as are insulating mechanisms according to the invention which do not cover the entire glass area 3 of the window.

The insulating mechanism according to the invention is more partj cularly advantageous where used for large, rectangular glass areas which have no dividing posts, or similar divisions. Where the glass surface 3 consists of a number of small lights held together by means of transoms and mullions , as in the case- with older-type windows, a plane storm window may be fitted in front of the original window before the insulating mechanism is mounter. Alternatively, it may be possible by choosing an appropriate width of lamella and, if necessary, by providing suitable cuttings in the lamellae, to adapt the insulating mechanism to the window, so that the mechanism in the unfolded state fits the window tightly.

In the above it has been assumed that the insulating mechanism is placed on the inside of the window pane. However, placing it on the outside may also offer advantages, although, for example ice and snow may cause problems. For certain types of window a combination of inside and outside mounting of the insulating mechanism may be especially advantageous.

The drawing shows an insulating mechanism consisting exclusively of lamellae 5 of uniform width. But the insulating mechanism can also be made up of lamellae of different widths, which facilitates the composition of insulating mechanisms of desired total widths from a limited number of standard lamella widths.

Claims

Claims;

1. Insulating mechanism (l) to be placed preferably on the insidi of windows or similar surfaces, consisting of at least two mutu¬ally connected and foldable lamellae (5) of for example a rect¬angular cross section, said lamellae being wholly or partly made of an insulating material and characterised in that the insu¬lating mechanism (1 ) in the unfolded state is held close to the window pane (3).

2. Insulating mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, in which the said mechanism is in the unfolded state held close to the window pane (3) by means of adhesives, elastic bands, spring devices, magnets snap fasteners, combinations of these means, or in any other way

3. Insulating mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, in which at leas- one of the movable lamellae (5), preferably the one placed near¬est to the window frame (4), remains in a fixed position in relation to the window pane (3), whether the insulating mechanism is in its folded or unfolded state, for example by affixing the fixed lamella (5a) to the window pane (3) or fastened to the window frame (4).

4. Insulating mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, in which a heat-reflecting coating, consisting of paint, film, vacuum metal¬lising or the like, may be provided, for example, to the surfaces of the mechanism facing away from the window pane (7) .

5. Insulating mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, in which the mutually movable lamellae (5) are mounted in such a way that their movements relative to each other occur essentially inthe vertical plane.

6. Insulating mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, in which the outermost of the movable lamellae (5b) is provided with some means for gripping it, for example a handle.

7. Insulating mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, characterised in being preferably composed of an uneven number of lamellae.

8. Insulating mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, in which hinges (9) are placed between the individual lamellae (5) in such a way that the hinge (9a) between the fixed lamella (5a) and the fol¬lowing lamella (5) faces away from the pane (3) and the rest of the hinges are placed alternately facing against and away from the pane (3). thus facilitating folding and unfolding of the insulating mechanism.