WO2001059232A1

WO2001059232A1 - A window frame structure and arrangements for this structure

Info

Publication number: WO2001059232A1
Application number: PCT/DK2001/000089
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ebbe Klausen
Original assignee: Prima Holding Aps
Priority date: 2000-02-09
Filing date: 2001-02-09
Publication date: 2001-08-16
Also published as: AU3153001A

Abstract

A window frame structure that comprises a first profile (2), which has a body with a first surface adapted to support a window element. At least two weather strips (4) formed of a resilient material abut on a window case (6) along at least a portion of it, and thus define a substantially closed air space or a closed air space between the first profile and the case. A second profile (2a) is joined with the first profile and comprises an attachment part (2c) for attachment of said profile to the case.

Description

A WINDOW FRAME STRUCTURE AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THIS STRUCTURE

The present invention relates to a window frame structure for support and attachment of a window element on a case, and wherein no heat bridges are provided between the window element and the case. The invention further relates to arrangements for forming a joint between two window elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of skylights and structures for attachment of skylights are known from patent literature, including DK 96479, DK 93 00509 U3, DE 24 07 254, DE 38 09 705, DE 40 16 528, DE 198 09 736, EP 0 215 231 , FR 2 386 970, FR 1 288 855, FR 1 411 428, US 3,983,669, US 4,930,275 and US 5,148,643.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a window frame structure for support and attachment of one or more window elements on a window case, said structure being insulating, as it forms no heat bridges between the window element(s) and the case.

According to the invention this object is attained by a window frame structure comprising a first profile having a body with a first surface adapted to support a window element; and at least two weather strips formed of a resilient material and abutting on a window case along at least a portion of it, thus defining a substantially closed air space or a closed air space between the first profile and the case; and a second profile joined with the first profile and comprising an attachment part for attachment of said profile to the case.

The window element preferably comprises skylights, such as dome-shaped windows or convex windows or plane windows or pyramidal windows or double-inclined windows/skylights, and the windows comprise single-layer or multi-layer windows, such as windows with 2 layors or 3 layers, and the layers of the multi-layer windows are separated by air spaces. The first profile may support the window element along at least a portion of an encircling surface, but preferably support the window element along the entire encircling surface of the window element when the window element abuts on the first surface. The window element may, however, also comprise other types of windows, such as vertical windows where the first profile supports the window when the window is arranged in a vertical position on top of the profile.

The window element is preferably placed on an encircling case, and the frame structure is arranged between the case and the window element to form an insulating joint between them. In order to form a tight and insulating joint, the frame structure comprises at least two weather strips forming a double packing when the first profile abuts on the case, thus forming a substantially closed air space between the weather strips and the case. Preferably, the weather strips abut on the case and are arranged on a surface of the first profile, said surface being opposite the first surface. In another embodiment the first profile may be reversed, the weather strips thus abutting on the encircling surface of the window element and the first surface abutting on the encircling surface of the case. Preferably, the first profile comprises at least two weather strips or more, such as three, four or five strips.

The first profile may be made of a plastic material or metallic material or fibre-reinforced material or a combination of these materials. It is preferably made of a resilient plastic material that may be foamed plastic.

To give the frame structure further strength, it comprises a second profile joined with the first profile and adapted to be attached to the case by way of an attachment part, thus securing the window element and the first profile to the case. The second profile is preferably made of aluminium, but may also be made of other metallic materials, such as steel, or of plastic materials or fibre-reinforced materials or combinations of these materials.

The first and second profiles may form single short supporting surfaces for the window element, but they preferably form a continuos encircling surface which may be mads up of several first and second profiles, where the profiles may be glued, riveted, screwed or TIG-welded together at the corners depending on the type of material of which they are made.

In order to obtain a further insulating property in the joint, the body of the first profile may comprise at least one air space between the first surface and the weather strips, and the first and second profiles may define at least one substantially closed air space or closed air space between each other, the two profiles thus being thermally separated.

This window frame structure provides a construction with an outer second profile that gives the strength in the structure and an inner profile that has an insulating effect. Thus, a frame structure is provided having high strength and an improved insulating effect as it does not provide any heat bridges at all between the window element and the case and thus between an outer and an inner side of the case. Thus, the structure is much more insulating than known window frame structures.

The volume of the air spaces of the frame structure is of importance to the insulating property of the joint, and together the air spaces may constitute 10-90% of the cross- sectional area of the two joined profiles in order to obtain an appropriate insulating effect. The body of the first profile may comprise several air spaces, such as two, three, four or five air spaces, which may be positioned anywhere in the body, but preferably the air spaces are positioned between the first surface and the weather strips, thus forming one or more substantially closed or closed air spaces between an inner and outer side of the case. The first and second profiles may together define several closed air spaces, such as two, three, four or five air spaces. Preferably, the first profile is arranged on the inner side and the second profile on the outer side of the frame structure, the strength thus being positioned farthest out and the thermal insulation thus being positioned farthest in.

Alternatively, the frame structure may be reversed, the first profile thus being positioned farthest out and the second profile being positioned farthest in.

Preferably, the frame structure also comprises means for attachment of the window element to the first and/or second profile, and said means are preferably made up of one or more additional profiles that may be attached to the first and/or second profile. The additional profiles may have surfaces adapted to abut on outer surfaces of the window element to secure the window element to said one or more additional profiles and/or to said first and/or second profile when the additional profiles are attached to the first and/or second profile. Preferably, attachment is effected by screwing together/nailing and/or "clicking" the profiles together by the "clicking" operation illustrated in the figures. Furthermore, the profiles may be glued together, and the window element may be glued onto the first profile. The first profile, the second profile and the additional profiles may by attachment to each other form one or more substantially closed air spaces or closed air spaces between the profiles and/or between the profiles and the window element to obtain an insulating joint.

The air spaces may constitute such a sufficient part of the frame structure that the frame and the window element together attain an insulating value (U-value, W/m²*K) of 2.9 or less, such as 2.8 or 2.7 or 2.6. All the air spaces of the frame structure may together constitute 20-80%, such as 30-10%, such as 40-60%, such as 50% of the cross-sectional area of the two or more joined profiles.

One or more of the air spaces in the frame structure may be filled up with insulating material to obtain a better insulating property. Alternatively, all air spaces may be filled up with insulating material. The insulating material may comprise e.g. foamed plastic or expanded polystyrene.

If condensation or another type of moisture forms on the inner surface of the window element and will run down along the window element and down into the frame structure, it may be transported away from the frame structure by the body of the first profile comprising one or more projections extending along the entire length of the profile and having an upward inclination, thus forming a groove between the projection and the body. Preferably, at least one of the projections is arranged at the back of the first profile, thus facing the inner side of the case. At least one of the weather strips may be positioned on this projection.

The first and second profiles may be produced separately and joined subsequently, and the first profile may comprise one or more recesses for reception of and securing one or more projections on the surface of the second profile, such that the two profiles are joined by the "clicking" operation as illustrated in the figures. Alternatively, the two profiles may be screwed and/or glued together, or they may be joined by co-extrusion during production.

The second profile is preferably attached to the case by the attachment part having one or more downward parts extending along the outer surface of the case when the second profile is attached to the case. The downward part(s) preferably extend(s) parallel to the outer surface of the case. In a preferred embodiment the one or more downward parts may overlap the upper edge portion of the case to avoid penetration of water between the downward parts and the case. Furthermore, the downward parts may comprise a drop catcher for catching and directing water running down from the outer surface of the window element.

In a preferred embodiment said one or more downward part(s) has/have one or more holes for e.g. screws or nails, thus enabling the second profile to be screwed or nailed to the case.

Preferably, the first profile is made of plastic, and the second profile is made of aluminium, but all the profiles of the structure may be made of plastic material, metallic material, fibre- reinforced material or a combination of these materials.

The weather strips may be co-extruded together with the first profile during its production, or they may be screwed or glued or welded onto the first profile. Alternatively, the weather strips may be arranged on the window element or on the second profile or on the case.

Preferably, the contact faces/points of said at least two weather strips along the case are displaced vertically in relation to each other, thus enabling the strips to abut on an inclined case, causing water not to collect in the air space between the two strips, but to run downwards. If the weather strips are made of a resilient material, they may easily be fitted to an uneven contact face of the case.

In case the window element is to be openable, the frame structure may further comprise hinge profiles to be attached on the second profile and/or the case and to a surface of the window element. The hinge profile preferably comprises a movable part and a stationary part, where the stationary part may be attached to the attachment part of the second profile and the movable part may be attached to a portion of the surface of the window element.

The case may form an encircling contact face for the window element, e.g. for support of dome-shaped windows, or it may constitute only two opposite case parts, e.g. for support of double-inclined skylights, or it may have any other form. If the skylight is formed by a wide and/or long window element(s), the case and the frame structure may be reinforced by the frame structure further comprising at least one supporting profile extending. between the two opposite case parts, thus reinforcing the frame structure. The frame structure may comprise several supporting profiles, such as two, three or four, preferably comprising bar profiles.

Preferably, the at least one supporting profile is attached to the first profile, but it may also be attached to only the second profile or to both of them. Attachment of the supporting profile to the first and/or the second profile is formed in such a way that the connection between the supporting profile and the first and/or second profile is secured against heat bridges, e.g. by means of an insulating auxiliary profile.

If the case e.g. consists of a wooden case joined at the corners by being bevelled, there is a risk of moisture penetrating into these corners and causing damage to the case. To avoid this the frame structure may further comprise a case-end profile for forming a substantially upper end of the case. The end profile is preferably attached on top of the case and is thus positioned between the first profile and the case, at least one of said at least two weather strips thus abutting on the end profile.

Furthermore, the end profile may project over the upper edge of the case and downwards along an outer surface of the case, as the end profile preferably comprises a downward part, which may extend along, such as parallel to, at least a portion of the outer surface of the case. It is thus avoided that moisture gets under the end profile and penetrates into the case. The case-end profile may be made of plastic material or metallic material or fibre-reinforced material or a combination of one or more of these materials, and the end profile may form an upper encircling unbroken end of the case, where the corners may be welded or glued together, thus preventing moisture from penetrating into the case anywhere along the case. The end profile is preferably made of aluminium.

The end profile may further comprise at least one weather strip adapted to abut on a portion of the case to form a tight joint between the end profile and the case and/or the first profile.

In order to avoid that e.g. driving rain gets under the downward part of the second profile and penetrates into the case, the downward part of the end profile may comprise at least one weather strip abutting on at least a portion of the downward part of the second profile to form a tight end between them and thus function as a shield against driving rain and wind.

The case may be a wooden case, an insulated wooden case, a glass fibre case, a steel case, a laminated case, a plastic case or a case of foamed plastic. To obtain a completely tight covering of the case, covering may be placed, e.g. in the form of roofing felt, along the outer sides of the case, the covering thus extending under the downward part of the second profile, thus preventing moisture from penetrating into the area between the covering and the case.

If the frame structure supports two upright interangled window elements abutting on or being arranged close to each other along one of their side edges, e.g. a double-inclined skylight, said two window elements may be joined by a ridge formed by an arrangement comprising an outer ridge profile having inner surfaces adapted to abut on at least a portion of an outer surface of each of the two window elements to form an outer ridge between the window elements, and an inner ridge profile having outer surfaces adapted to abut on at least a portion of an inner surface of each of the two window elements to form an inner ridge between the window elements, and where said outer ridge profile, said inner ridge profile and said two window elements together form at least one substantially closed air space or a closed air space between them.

Each of the two window elements may be arranged on two rafters facing each other in a roof construction and thus form an angle between them, corresponding to the pitch of the roof, and the outer and inner ridge profiles may thus comprise an angle profile having two inner and outer surfaces respectively, said surfaces being adapted to abut on the aforementioned outer and inner surfaces respectively of each of the window elements. The angle between the two inner and outer surfaces respectively may be between 45° and 135°, such as between 55° and 125°, such as between 65° and 115°, such as between 75° and 105°, such as between 85° and 95°, such as 90°.

Between the outer surfaces of the window elements and the inner surfaces of the outer ridge profile, layers of insulating materials may be arranged, and these layers may comprise aluminium tape and/or further profiles having insulating air spaces. The outer and inner ridge profiles may be attached to the window elements by gluing and/or screwing and/or nailing their inner and outer surfaces respectively together with the outer and inner surfaces respectively of the window element. The outer and inner ridge profiles may be made of a plastic material or metallic material or fibre-reinforced material or a combination of these materials.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for forming an openable joint between two window elements, said joint being insulating as the arrangement forms no heat bridges between an inner and outer side of the joint.

According to the invention this object is attained by an arrangement for forming a joint which opens between two opposite window elements forming a gap between them, said arrangement comprising:

- a bridge element extending across the gap and being realisably attached to at least one of the window elements,

- a first profile formed of a resilient material and attached to one of the window elements, said profile being inserted in the gap between the window elements, and

wherein the profile comprises at least two weather strips for forming at least one substantially closed air space or closed air space between the two window elements when they are in a closed position in relation to each other, one weather strip thus abutting on the bridge element and another weather strip abutting on the other window element.

The window element may comprise the window itself and a reinforcement profile supporting the window, and the windows in the window elements may comprise plane, dome-shaped or double-inclined or pyramidal skylights or vertical windows.

Preferably, one of the window elements is opened by lifting it upwards or turning it outwards/inwards εway from the other window element. The bridge element may extend wholly or partly across the gap between the window elements and form a closed joint between them, and since at least one of the window elements is to be openable, the bridge element is realisably attached to at least one of the window elements, thus enabling one of the window elements to be opened by releasing the bridge element from the other window element.

A first profile is arranged to form an insulating joint between the window elements, said first profile preferably abutting on and fitting tightly to one of the window elements and moreover comprising at least two weather strips which may abut on the bridge element and a surface of the other window element respectively, thus forming an insulating air space when the window elements are closed. In a preferred embodiment the first profile comprises three weather strips, the first one abutting on an inner surface of the other window element, the second one abutting on a first projection (see below) on the bridge element, and the third one abutting on an inner surface of the bridge element, thus forming three insulating air spaces between the weather strips, the bridge element and the window elements. Furthermore, together with the weather strips the first profile may form one, two or more grooves for catching and directing water running down from above.

The bridge element may be realisably attached to at least one of the window elements, said bridge element comprising first projections of which at least some can be engaged with and be attached to other projections on each of the two window elements, thus forming the releasable attachment of the bridge element to said at least one window element when the window elements are in a closed position in relation to each other.

In a particular embodiment one of the window elements is openable and the other window element is non-openable, and the bridge element is fixed to the openable window element and realisably attached to the non-openable window element.

The bridge element is preferably arranged on an outer side of the two window elements and thus forms an outer ridge between them. The bridge element is preferably positioned in the same plane as the window elements, the openable joint thus not being visible from the outside. In another embodiment the bridge element may be placed on an inner ride of the window elements.

One or more of the first projections may together with the weather strips and/or the other projections form(s) substantially closed air spaces or closed air spaces between them when the window elements are in a closed position in relation to each other. The first profile is preferably attached to at least a portion of one of the window elements, e.g. to a portion of the reinforcement profile, in the gap between the two window elements, and it may either be glued and/or screwed to the window element, but preferably, one of the window elements comprises an auxiliary profile for attachment of the first profile to said window element. Said auxiliary profile may be attached to the reinforcement profile and have one or more surfaces which may abut on outer surfaces of the window to secure the window to the reinforcement profile. The auxiliary profile may have projections which can be engaged with projections on the first profile to secure the first profile to the auxiliary profile.

The auxiliary profile is preferably formed in such a way that it forms a groove for catching and directing water running down from above.

The first profile, the bridge element and the auxiliary profile may be made of a plastic material or metallic material or fibre-reinforced material or a combination of these materials, but preferably the first profile is made of a resilient plastic material, and the bridge element and the auxiliary profile are made of aluminium.

The other projections on the window elements may be glued and/or screwed onto an inner or outer side of the window elements, and they are preferably made of the same material as the first profile.

The first profile, the bridge element and the auxiliary profile may be attached to the window elements by means of screws and/or glue and/or nails.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Various embodiments are described below in more detail by reference to the figures 1-34 in which:

Figs. 1-4 illustrate cross-sections of skylights mounted on a case with a window frame structure according to the invention,

Fig. 5 illustrates a cross-section of a window frame structure, Fig. 6 illustrates a cross-section of a window frame structure with a hinge profile,

Fig. 7 illustrates a cross-section of a window frame structure with a supporting profile,

Figs. 8a-b illustrate cross-sections of a window frame structure with a hinge profile,

Figs. 9-18 illustrate a cross-section of a skylight mounted on a case,

Fig. 19 illustrates a cross-section of a window case with a skylight mounted thereon,

Fig. 20 illustrates a cross-section of an arrangement for forming a ridge,

Figs. 21-23 illustrate a cross-section of an arrangement for forming a joint which opens between two skylights, and

Figs. 24-34 illustrate sketches of various skylights.

Fig. 1 illustrates a double-layer acrylic dome-shaped skylight mounted on a case by means of the window frame structure.

Fig. 2 illustrates a skylight of polycarbonate mounted on a case by means of the window frame structure.

Fig. 3 illustrates a double-inclined skylight mounted on a case by means of the window frame structure.

Fig. 4 illustrates a plane light window mounted on a case by means of the window frame structure.

Fig. 5 illustrates a cross-section of a window frame structure comprising a first profile 2 and a second profile 2a together forming a double profile where said two profiles are joined by "clicking" the two profiles together by means of the projections 1 on the second profile 2a and the recesses 2b on the first profile. The profiles form insulating air spaces 3 of which one is provided by joining the two profiles, and the other is arranged in the body of the first profile. The first profile comprises two weather strips 4 constituting a double packing and forming an insulating air space 3 when they abut on the surface of the case 6. The case comprises a case-end profile 44 forming a substantially upper end of the case. The end profile is attached on top of the case 6 and is thus positioned between the first profile 2 and the case 6. The end profile projects over the upper edge of the case and down along the outer surface of the case, the end profile comprising a downward part 44a which may extend along, such as parallel to, at least a portion of the outer surface of the case. It is thus avoided that moisture gets under the end profile and penetrates into the case. The end profile comprises a sealing profile 42 with a weather strip adapted to abut on a portion of the case to form a tight joint between the end profile and the case and/or the first profile.

The second profile comprises helical grooves 5 to facilitate mounting and boring of holes. The attachment part 2c of the second profile comprises screw holes for attachment of said part to the case. The screw holes comprise a nylon bush 37 functioning as sideways guide between the profile and the case and preventing galvanic corrosion between the screw and the profile. The lower part of the attachment part has a drop catcher 7 catching water running down from the surface of the window. The projection 2d of the first profile has an upward inclination and thus forms a groove 1a between the projection and the body of the profile, causing water from the surface of the window to be caught and transported in said groove.

If the second profile forms an encircling frame consisting of several profiles, these may be TIG-welded together at the corners and joined without visible screws or pop rivets.

The case 6 may be a wooden case, an insulated wooden case, a glass fibre case, a steel case, a laminated case, a plastic case or a case of foamed plastic.

Fig. 6 illustrates a cross-section of a window frame structure, wherein the attachment part 2c of the second profile 2a is surrounded by a hinge profile having an outer part 15 and an inner part 16. The outer part 15 functions as a reinforcement profile for the second profile, and at the same tiriie it may be attached to a further profile, e.g. profile 26 in Fig. 14, the window thus being detachable/openable by turning the outer part 15 outwards and away from the attachment part 2c of the second profile. The hinge comprises helical grooves 17, and in a preferred embodiment the hinge may comprise two self-cutting screws with washers positioned in the hinge and thus giving a sideways guide. Fig. 7 illustrates a cross-section of a window frame structure, wherein a supporting profile 14 is arranged to support the structure and to ensure fixed, stable and correct mounting of the window.

Figs. 8a-b illustrate cross-sections of a window frame structure, wherein an opening mechanism 24 is inserted in the first and second profiles for opening the window. To make room for the opening mechanism 24, a trace is milled out in the first and second profiles. The depth of the trace corresponds to the width of the opening mechanism. Fig. 8a shows a window case without a case-end profile, but wherein both weather strips 4 abuts on the upper edge of the case. Fig. 8b shows a window case having a case-end profile 44 whereon one of the weather strips abuts.

Fig. 9 illustrates a cross-section of a double layer acrylic dome-shaped window mounted on and secured to a case by means of the window frame structure further comprising an auxiliary profile 23 having an inner surface abutting on an outer surface of the window. The auxiliary profile is attached to the second profile by the helical groove 5 and the thread 23a, and together with the window the auxiliary profile forms insulating air spaces 23b. The double layer forms an insulating air space 3a, as the layers are separated by the element 2e.

Fig. 10 illustrates a cross-section of a skylight 8 made of polycarbonate and mounted on a case 6 by means of the window frame structure comprising auxiliary profiles 10, 12 forming an insulating air space 10a between each other and an insulating air space 10b between the auxiliary profile 12 and the first profile. The auxiliary profiles have helical grooves 5 and projections 13 for attachment of the profiles to each other. Furthermore, the structure comprises an insulating profile 12a. The window 8 is preferably a transparent plastic/glass plate, but may be solid without light passage or an insulated plate solution. The insulating profile 12a is preferably made of plastic material and is clicked on to the profile 12. Thus, an insulating effect with no heat bridges is provided.

Fig. 11 illustrates a cross-section of a gable where a plane light window 8 is mounted on a case 6. The frame structure comprises a gable plate 8a secured to the second profile by means of the auxiliary profile 36 which may be attached to the second profile by way of a screw through the helical groove 5. Between the auxiliary profile 36 and the gable plate 8a, a packing 32 is arranged for forming a tight joint between them. The joint between the gable plate 8a and the plane light window 8 is formed by auxiliary profiles 34, 35 each having weather strips 4 abutting on surfaces on the window and the auxiliary profile 34 respectively. A further sealing packing 32 is arranged between the auxiliary profile 34 and the window 8. The profiles 34 and 35 may be made of plastic material.

Fig. 12 illustrates a cross-section of a double-inclined skylight/pyramidal window 20 mounted on a case 6. The window is attached to the first and second profiles by means of auxiliary profiles 21 , 21a, and insulating packings 18, 22 are arranged between the window and said two auxiliary profiles. The auxiliary profile 21 is attached to the auxiliary profile 21a by way of screws through the helical grooves 5. The profile 12a is clicked on to the auxiliary profile 21a.

Fig. 13 illustrates a cross-section of a double-inclined skylight/pyramidal window 8 mounted on a case 6. The window is attached to the first 2 and second profiles 2a by means of the auxiliary profiles 9, 11. The profile 9 is clicked together with the profile 11 and has an inner surface abutting on an outer surface of the window. The two profiles 9 and 11 forms insulating air spaces 10a and 10b.

Fig. 14 illustrates a cross-section of a double-inclined skylight/pyramidal window as illustrated in Fig. 13, but where a clamping profile 25 is arranged to clamp over a joint between two adjacent windows 8. The clamping profile 25 is secured by means of the profile 26, which is clicked together with the profile 28 by way of the projection 27. The profile 26 comprises helical grooves 5 for screwing this profile onto the profile 25. A supporting profile 12c in the form of a bar is positioned immediately under the window element and may extend between two opposite case parts, thus reinforcing the frame structure.

Fig. 15 illustrates a cross-section of a plane light window 8 mounted on a case 6. The window is secured to the second profile by means of the profile 23, which is attached to the second profile 2a by way of the helical groove 5. The weather strips 4 abut on the upper edge of the ease.

Fig. 16 illustrates a cross-section of a small plane light window 8 mounted on a case 6, and wherein insulating material in the form of a glass block 22 is arranged between the window 8 and the profile 23. A case-end profile 44 is arranged to form an upper encircling unbroken end of the case.

Fig. 17 illustrates a cross-section of a large plane light window 8 mounted on a case 6. A 5 rafter profile 41 supporting the window is arranged under the window. The rafter profile is attached to the frame structure by means of an auxiliary profile 23c screwed onto the first profile by way of helical groove 5.

Fig. 18 illustrates a cross-section of a skylight. The case 6 comprises a case-end profile 10 44 for forming a substantially upper end of the case. The end profile is attached on top of the case 6 and is thus positioned between the first profile 2 and the case 6. The end profile projects over the upper edge of the case and down along the outer surface of the case, the end profile comprising a downward part 44a which may extend along, such as parallel to, at least a portion of the outer surface of the case. It is thus avoided that 15 moisture gets under the end profile and penetrates into the case. The end profile comprises a sealing profile 42 with a weather strip adapted to abut on a portion of the case to form a tight joint between the end profile and the case and/or the first profile. In order to avoid that e.g. driving rain gets under the downward part of the second profile and penetrates into the case, the downward part 44a of the end profile comprises a 20 weather strip 43 which may abut on the attachment part 2c of the second profile to form a tight end between them and thus function as a shield against driving rain and wind.

Fig. 19 illustrates a case 45 made of glass fibre and supporting a window element. To obtain a completely tight covering of the case, covering (not shown), e.g. in the form of 25 roofing felt, may be placed along the outer sides of the case, the covering thus extending under the downward part 2c of the second profile, thus preventing moisture from penetrating into the area between the covering and the case. The sealing profile 42 comprises insulating air spaces 42a.

30 Fig. 20 illustrates a cross-section of an arrangement for forming a ridge between two windows 8. The windows abut on rafter 41 , and the inner ridge profile 45 forms the inner ridge between the windows. The outer ridge profile 42 forms the outer ridge between the windows, and insulating material 44 is arranged between the profile 42 and the windows 8. On the outer surface of the windows 8 a further rafter 25 is arranged to clamp over a joint between two windows. Packings 32 and aluminium tape 44 are arranged to form an insulating and tight joint between the window and the rafter.

Fig. 21 illustrates a cross-section of an arrangement for forming a joint, which opens between two skylights 8 supported by reinforcement profiles 28 and where one of the windows (the right window in the figure) may be opened upwards/outwards. The arrangement comprises a first profile 38 abutting on and fitting tightly to surfaces on one of the reinforcement profiles 28 (the left reinforcement profile in the figure). The profile 38 has weather strips 38a abutting on surfaces on the second reinforcement profile 28 and on the bridge element 25 and one of its first projections 25a. One of the windows 8 and the bridge element 25 are attached to one of the reinforcement profiles 28 by means of the auxiliary profile 40 forming a groove 40a for water running into the joint from the outside. The first projections 25a farthest out on the bridge element grip around the other projections 39 and thus attach the bridge element to the two windows 8. Insulating material 2 is arranged between one of the first projections farthest in and one of the first projections 25a farthest out on the bridge element 25, said insulating material being arranged on top of a packing 32 fitting tightly between the material 2 and the window 8. The first profile provides two gutters 38b for catching and directing water running down from above.

Figs. 22 and 23 illustrate a cross-section of a second arrangement for forming a joint between two double-inclined skylights or for a joint at the top of convex windows. The profiles 29, 30 and 31 , being thermally separated by the packings 32 and the insulators 2, together form an opening module for the two windows. The left window 8 is held together with the profile 29 by means of the bridge element 25. Turning it towards the left around the centre of rotation 32a (Fig. 22) or around the hinge 33 (Fig. 23) opens the right window 8.

Figs. 24-34 illustrate various skylights and indicate designations of the windows (A ^~ acrylic, 1 ,2,3 = 1 , 2 and 3 layers, TA = thermal separation, K = dome, P = pyramid, PC 10 = polycarbonate wivh a plate thickness of 10 mm).

All the skylights made without heat bridges comply with the rules of the "Building code". It should be understood that, though the present invention relates to a number of independent aspects, any combination of these aspects is possible within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A window frame structure comprising:

- a first profile having a body with a first surface adapted to support a window element,

- at least two weather strips formed of a resilient material and abutting on a window case along at least a portion of it, thus defining a substantially closed air space or a closed air space between the first profile and the case, and

- a second profile joined with the first profile and comprising an attachment part for attachment of said profile to the case.

2. A window frame structure comprising:

- at least two weather strips formed of a resilient material and abutting on a window case along at least a portion of it, thus defining a substantially closed air space or a closed air space between the first profile and the case,

- a second profile joined with the first profile and comprising an attachment part for attachment of said profile to the case, and

wherein the body of the first profile comprises at least one air space between the first surface and the weather strips, and wherein the first and second profiles define at least one substantially closed air space or closed air space between each other.

3. A window frame structure according to claim 2, wherein the air spaces together constitute 10-90% of the cross-sectional area of the two joined profiles.

4. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for attachment of the window element to the first and/or second profile.

5. A frame according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the first and second profiles form one or more additional substantially closed air spaces or closed air spaces between an outer and inner side of the case.

6. A frame according to any of the claims 2-5, wherein the air spaces constitute 20-80%>, such as 30-70%, such as 40-60%, such as 50% of the cross-sectional area of the two joined profiles.

7. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body of the first profile comprises one or more projections extending along the entire length of the profile and having an upward inclination, thus forming a groove between the projection and the body, causing water from the surface of the window element to be caught and transported in said groove.

8. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the window element comprises a skylight, such as dome-shaped windows or convex windows or plane windows or pyramidal windows or double-inclined skylights, and wherein the windows comprise single-layer or multi-layer windows, such as windows with 2 layers or 3 layers, and wherein the layers of the multi-layer windows are separated by air spaces.

9. A frame according to any of the claims 4-8, wherein the means for attachment comprise glue and/or screws and/or nails.

10. A frame according to claim 9, wherein the window element is attached to the first profile by gluing and/or screwing and/or nailing the first surface of the first profile together with an encircling surface of the window element.

11. A frame according to any of the claims 4-10, wherein the means for attachment further comprise one or more additional profiles adapted to attachment on the first and/or second profile, and wherein one or more surfaces of one or more of the additional profiles is/are adapted to abut on outer surfaces of the window element to secure it to said one or more additional profiles and/or to said first and/or second profile when said one or more additional profiles is/are attached to the first and/or second profile.

12. A frame according to claim 11 , wherein said one or more additional profiles, upon attachment to each other and/or to the first and/or second profile, form(s) one or more substantially closed air spaces or closed air spaces between the profiles and/or between the profiles and the window element.

5

13. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the air spaces is/are filled up with an insulating material.

14. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second 10 profiles are joined by co-extruding the profiles during production.

15. A frame according to any of the claims 1-13, wherein the first and second profiles are screwed and/or glued together.

15 16. A frame according to any of the claims 1 -13 or 15, wherein the first profile comprises one or more recesses for reception of and securing one or more projections on a surface of the second profile for joining the first profile with the second profile.

17. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment part 20 comprises one or more downward parts extending along, such as parallel to, an outer surface of the case when the second profile is attached to the case.

18. A frame according to claim 17, wherein said one or more downward parts overlap(s) an upper lip of the case to avoid penetration of water between said one or more

25 downward parts and the case, and wherein a lower part of said one or more downward parts comprises a drop catcher for catching and directing water running down from the surface of the window element.

19. A frame according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said one or more downward parts

30 comprise(s) one or more holes for e.g. screws or nails, thus enabling the second profile to be screwed or nailed to the case.

20. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first profile is made of a plastic material or metallic material or fibre-reinforced material or a combination of these

35 materials.

21. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second profile is made of a plastic material or metallic material or fibre-reinforced material or a combination of these materials.

5 22. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first profile is made of a plastic material and the second profile is made of aluminium.

23. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the weather strips are arranged on a surface opposite the first surface of the first profile.

10

24. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the weather strips are co- extruded together with the first profile during its production.

25. A frame according to any of the claims 1 -23, wherein the weather strips are screwed 15 or glued or welded onto the first profile.

26. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the contact faces/points of said at least two weather strips along the case are displaced vertically in relation to each other.

20

27. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising hinge profiles to be attached on the second profile and/or the case and to a surface of the window element, thus forming an attachment of the window element to the frame structure, thereby permitting the window element to be opened.

25

28. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the case comprises two opposite case parts, further comprising at least one supporting profile extending between said two opposite case parts.

30 29. A frame according to claim 28, wherein said at least one supporting profile is attached to the first profile.

30. A frame according to claim 28 or 29, wherein said at least one supporting profile is attached to the second profile. 35

31. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the window case comprises:

- a case-end profile for forming a substantially upper end of the case and comprising a downward part extending along, such as parallel to, at least a portion of an outer surface of the case.

32. A frame according to claim 31, wherein the case-end profile further comprises a sealing profile having at least one weather strip adapted to abut on a portion of the case to form a tight end between said profile and the case.

33. A frame according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the downward part comprises at least one weather strip abutting on at least a portion of the downward part of the second profile to form a tight end between them.

34. A frame according to any of the claims 31-33, wherein the case-end profile forms an upper encircling unbroken end of the case.

35. A frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the case comprises a wooden case or insulated wooden case or glass fibre case or steel case or laminated case or plastic case or a case of foamed plastic or a combination of one or more of these.

36. An arrangement for forming a ridge between two upright interangled window elements abutting on or being arranged close to each other along one of their side edges and supported by a window frame structure according to the claims 1-35, said arrangement comprising:

- an outer ridge profile having inner surfaces adapted to abut on at least a portion of an outer surface on each of the two window elements to form an outer ridge between the window elements,

- an inner ridge profile having outer surfaces adapted to abut on at least a portion of an inner surface on each of the two window elements to form an inner ridge between the window elements, and wherein said outer ridge profile, said inner ridge profile and said two window elements together form at least one substantially closed air space or a closed airspace between them.

37. An arrangement according to claim 36, wherein the outer ridge profile comprises an angle profile having two inner surfaces adapted to abut on the aforementioned outer surface on each of the window elements.

38. An arrangement according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the angle between the two inner surfaces is between 45° and 135°, such as between 55° and 125°, such as between 65° and 115°, such as between 75° and 105°, such as between 85° and 95°, such as 90°.

39. An arrangement according to any of the claims 36-38, wherein the inner ridge profile comprises an angle profile having two outer surfaces each adapted to abut on at least a portion of the aforementioned inner surface on each of the window elements.

40. An arrangement according to any of the claims 36-37, wherein the angle between the two outer surfaces is between 45° and 135°, such as between 55° and 125°, such as between 65° and 115°, such as between 75° and 105°, such as between 85° and 95°, such as 90°.

41. An arrangement for forming a joint which opens between two opposite window elements forming a gap between them, said arrangement comprising:

- a bridge element extending across the gap and being realisably attached to at least one of the window elements;

- a first profile formed of a resilient material and attached to one of the window elements, said profile being inserted in the gap between the window elements; and

wherein the profile comprises at least two weather strips for forming at least one substantially closed air space or closed air space between the two window elements when they are in a closed position in relation to each other, one weather strip thus abutting on the bridge element and another weather strip abutting on the second window element.

42. An arrangement according to claim 41 , wherein the bridge element comprises first projections of which at least some can be engaged with and be attached to other projections on each of the two building elements, thus forming the releasable attachment of the bridge element to said at least one window element when the window elements are

5 in a closed position in relation to each other.

43. An arrangement according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the bridge element is arranged on an outer side of the two window elements.

10 44. An arrangement according to claim 42 or 43, wherein one or more of the first projections together with the weather strips and/or the other projections form(s) substantially closed air spaces or closed air spaces between them when the window elements are in a closed position in relation to each other.

15 45. An arrangement according to any of the claims 41-44, wherein one of the window elements comprises an auxiliary profile for attachment of the first profile to said window element.

46. An arrangement according to claim 45, wherein the auxiliary profile forms a groove for 20 catching and directing water running down from above.

47. An arrangement according to any of the claims 41-46, wherein the first profile is made of a plastic material or metallic material or fibre-reinforced material or a combination of these materials.

25

48. An arrangement according to any of the claims 41-47, wherein the bridge element and the auxiliary profile are made of a plastic material or metallic material or fibre-reinforced material or a combination of these materials.

30 49. An arrangement according to any of the claims 41-48, wherein the first profile is made of a plastic material and the bridge element is made of aluminium.

50. An arrangement according to any of the claims 41-49, wherein the first profile, the bridge element and the auxiliary profile are attached to the window elements by means of 35 screws and/or glue and/or nails.

51. An arrangement according to any of the claims 42-50, wherein the other projections are glued or screwed onto the window elements and formed of a resilient material.

52. An arrangement according to any of the claims 41-51 , wherein the first profile forms one or more grooves for catching and directing water running down from above.