WO2006004560A1

WO2006004560A1 - Window frame

Info

Publication number: WO2006004560A1
Application number: PCT/SI2005/000016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anton Zemljic
Original assignee: Anton Zemljic
Priority date: 2004-07-05
Filing date: 2005-06-29
Publication date: 2006-01-12

Abstract

The invention relates to a window frame and a corresponding window pane structured so as to reduce heat losses and, at the same time, to increase the glazed area, i.e. to increase the proportion of the glass surface in relation to the entire surface of the window. The window casing (5) is of an L-shaped profile and is fixedly secured to the wall (4) by the first profile tract in such a way that the second profile tract is perpendicular to the wall (4) and abuts against the insulation (6) and the façade (7), a gasket (11) being bonded to said second profile tract and the sash (9) or the glass assembly (8) of the window pane being the first to engage with the interior of the L-shaped profile o fht window casing (5), i.e. with the gasket (11), and to approach the first tract of said L-shaped profile when the window is closed. The L-shaped profile of the window casing (5) and the U-shaped profile of the window sash (9) are made of stainless sheet metal.

Description

749-P09PC/05

Window Frame

The invention relates to a window frame and a corresponding window pane structured so as to reduce heat losses and, at the same time, to increase the glazed area, i.e. to increase the proportion of the glass surface in relation to the entire surface of the window.

At present, windows are structured as a plastic- covered aluminum profile casing mounted in a wall opening. Said profile is generally of a complex structure and a comparatively large size, as evidenced, for instance, by EP 1 369 548, US 2003/0168814, or WO 03/071075. The sash frame of the glazed window pane is likewise structured as a plastic-covered aluminum profile of a likewise complex structure and large size. Due to their large size, resulting in extensive aluminum surfaces, conventional window casings and window sashes act as thermal bridges, are permeable to heat and consequently lead to poor thermal insulation. In addition, their large bulk limits the available glazed area, i.e. the proportion of ^'the glass surface is relatively small in relation to the overall embrasure of the window. A typical prior-art window frame and window pane are shown in Figure 1, wherein the window casing 1 and the window sash 2 are large in size, thereby limiting the relative available surface of the glass 3.

It is the object of the invention to provide a window frame and a related window pane structured so as to exhibit a minimized surface, thus minimizing thermal conductivity and maximizing the glass surface.

Said object is achieved according to the independent patent claims. The invention shall now be described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings, representing:

Figure 1: A conventional window casing and window pane made of plastic-covered aluminum profiles;

Figure 2 : Front view of the inventive window casing and window pane.

Figure 3: The inventive window casing and window pane in cross section.

Figure 4 : A detail of an embodiment of fittings assembly in cross section.

Figure 5: A detail of an embodiment of the seal in cross section.

Figure 6: A second embodiment of the inventive window casing and window pane in cross section.

As may be readily seen in Figure 2, the window casing 1 and the window pane of the invention have minimal dimensions, the embrasure area being almost entirely occupied by the glass 3.

In Figure 3, the inventive window casing 5 having an L-shaped profile is fixedly secured to the wall 4 by one of the profile tracts. The L-shaped profile of the window casing 5 is a rectangular profile, in that the thickness thereof is small as compared to the length of the tracts. In the shown embodiment the tracts of the L-shaped profile are of equal lengths, but may obviously be of different lengths in other embodiments. The L-shaped profile of the window casing 5 is preferably made of stainless sheet metal. The window casing 5 is fixedly secured to the wall 4 by the first tract of the L-shaped profile by means of anchoring, screwing or bonding. The second tract of the L- shaped profile of the window casing 5 is perpendicular to the wall 4 and abuts against the insulation β and the facade 7. The length of the first tract of the L-shaped profile, fixedly secured to the wall 4, depends upon the thicknesses of the glass assembly 8 and the relative window sash 9. The length of the second tract of the L-shaped profile 5 depends upon the desired thickness of the insulation 6 and of the faςade 7. Therefore, the window casing 5 according to the invention is an L-shaped profile structured so as to fit in a window (i.e. in a window embrasure) and specifically, in the embodiment of Figure 2, structured as a square frame. To the second tract of the L- shaped profile of the frame 5 a gasket 11 made of rubber or other elastic material is bonded. When the window is closed the sash 9 is the first to engage with the interior of the L-shaped profile of the window casing 5, i.e. with the gasket 11, and to approach the first tract of the L-shaped profile. The sash 9 is a rectangular U-shaped profile having such dimensions that in its recess the glass assembly 8 may be housed. The glass assembly 8 is a conventional thermal insulation glass panel, in the shown embodiment a double-layer glass panel. The glass assembly 8 is preferably bonded into the U-shaped profile of the sash frame 9 by means of an adhesive 10 which is preferably a silicone sealant. Therefore, the sash frame 9 is a rectangular U-shaped profile structured so as t:o fit the shape of the window casing frame 5 and engage therein. In the envisaged embodiment the window opens to the interior of the room.

As a further embodiment, an additional seal between the window casing 5 and the glass panel 12 of the window - A - pane is shown in Figure 5. The glass panel 12 is firmly secured in the window sash 9 by means of a soft elastic adhesive 17. The window sash 9 engages on the gasket 11 on the window casing 5. By means of a filling 19, an L-shaped flashing 18 is fixed between the external lower horizontal edge of the window casing 5 and the edge of the windowsill 20, said L-shaped flashing 18 sealing the windowsill 20 and the glass panel 12 along the entire horizontal length of the aperture of the window casing 5. The L-shaped flashing is made of a plastic material, preferably rubber, synthetic rubber, or plastic.

According to a second embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the inventive window casing 21 is structured a's a double L-shaped profile, one of the profile tracts being fixedly secured to the wall 4. The double L-shaped profile of the window casing 21 is a twice-bent rectangular profile wherein the thickness thereof is" small in relation to the lengths of the tracts. The double L-shaped profile of the window casing 21 is preferably made of stainless steel metal. The window casing 21 is inserted into the wall 4 with the intermediate tract of the double L-shaped profile, extending along the depth of the wall 4 and being secured therein by means of anchoring, screwing or bonding, the first tract of said double L-shaped profile resting on the wall 4 in the interior of the room. The third tract of the double L-shaped profile of the window casing 21 widthwise rests on the wall 4, with its free end engaging on the gasket 22, preferably a silicone band, and its central portion engaging on the thermal insulation layer 23. The length of the intermediate tract of the double L-shaped profile fixedly secured to the wall 4 depends upon the combined thicknesses of the glass assembly 8 with the drier wrapping 26, sealed with the finishing adhesive 29, and of the corresponding window sash 24. The length of the third tract of the double L-shaped profile 21 is a compromise between the desired glazed area and the resulting heat losses. A greater length of the third tract of the double L-shaped profile results in a longer thermal bridge, extending from the gasket 25 along the outer glass of the glass assembly 8 and the metal drier wrapping 26 to the inner glass of the assembly 8. The drier wrapping 26 is preferably made of foil-gauge stainless steel plate which reduces its thermal conductivity. Conversely, a longer third tract of the double L-shaped profile obviously reduces the available glazed area of the window.

The window pane has a sash 24 preferably made of the same material as the casing 21. According to Figure 1, the lower horizontal part of the frame 21 is preferably of a U- shaped profile, whereas the upper horizontal part thereof is preferably of an L-shaped profile. Both vertical parts of the sash 24 may be of a U-shaped or an L-shaped profile indifferently. Elastic spacers 27 are bonded to the edge of the profile of the sash 24 adjacent to the outer glass 8. The spacers 27 provide for soft closing of the window pane and prevent physical as well as thermal contact between the window sash 24 and the window casing 21. A weather strip 25 is bonded to the lower part of the outer glass of the glass assembly 8 for draining off water over the gasket¹22 toward the windowsill 20. A gasket 25 is bonded to the inner face of the third (outmost) tract of the double L-shaped profile, perimetrically along both the horizontal and both the vertical sides of the casing. The glass assembly 8 is a conventional thermal insulation glass panel, in the shown embodiment a double-layer glass panel. The glass assembly 8 is preferably bonded into the profile of the sash 24 by means of an adhesive which is preferably a silicone sealant. Therefore, the sash 24 is a rectangular profile structured so as to fit the shape of the window casing 21 and engage therein. In the shown embodiment the window opens to the interior of the room.

Other window equipment, i.e. window fittings such as hinges and opening/closing mechanisms, are not an object of the present invention and are therefore not ' expressly described herein. Conventional structurally convenient elements may be adopted for the purpose. They may be conveniently fixed to both of the frames, 5 and 9, respectively. They may be fixed by screwing, welding, bonding, or in other ways.

Likewise within the scope of the invention is an embodiment with no window sash 9. The glass assembly 8 may be appropriately processed for the purpose, e.g. polished or covered with plastic or have its surface treated in other ways, so as to eliminate the need for a window sash 9. In this case, the window fittings are mounted directly to the glass assembly by screwing or bonding. An embodiment of the assembly of the window fittings is disclosed in Figure 4. The glass panels 12 are joined along their outer edge, generally bonded together by the spacer 13. The spacer 13 is a hollow square profile, wherein sockets 14 are bonded or welded. A through bore 16 extends through the glass panels 12, the walls of the spacer 13, and the sockets 14. The spacer 13, and the sockets 14 in particular, are threaded on the inside of the bore. Into this inside thread window fittings may be mounted.

The window frame and, consequently, the window according to the invention may likewise be employed as a glazed area in building interiors, also as an unmovable fixed window with no hinges.

Claims

Patent Claims

A window frame and a corresponding window pane structured so as to reduce heat losses and, at the same time, to increase the glazed area, i.e. to increase the proportion of the glass surface in relation to the entire surface of the window, characterized in that the window casing (5) is of an L-shaped profile and is fixedly secured to the wall (4) by the first profile tract in such a way that the second profile tract is perpendicular to the wall

(4) and abuts against the insulation (6) and the facade (7), a gasket (11) being bonded to said second profile tract, and the sash (9) or, respectively, the glass assembly (8) of the window pane being the first to engage with the interior of the L-shaped profile of the window casing (5), i.e. with the gasket (11), and to approach the first tract of the said L-shaped profile when the window is closed.

A window frame according to Claim 1, characterized in that the window casing (5) and the window sash (9) are made of stainless sheet metal. A window frame according to Claim 1, characterized in that the window sash (9) is a U-shaped profile and a glass assembly (8) is bonded therein by means of an adhesive (10) .

A window frame according to Claim 1, characterized in that between the external lower horizontal edge of the window casing (5) and the edge of the windowsill (20) an L-shaped flashing (18)^' is fixed by means of a filling (19) , said L-shaped flashing (18) sealing the windowsill (20) and the glass panel (12) along the entire horizontal length of the aperture of the window casing (5) .

5. A window frame according to Claim 1, characterized in that a through bore (16) extends through the glass panels (12), the walls of the spacer (13) and the sockets (14), wherein said spacer (13), and said sockets (14) in particular, are threaded on the inside of the bore.

6. A window frame and a corresponding window pane structured so as to reduce heat losses and, at the same time, to increase the glazed area, i.e. to increase the proportion of the glass surface in relation to the entire surface of the window, characterized in that the window casing (21) is of a double L-shaped profile and is inserted into the wall (4) with the intermediate tract of its double L-shaped profile extending along the depth of the wall (4) , the first tract of said double L-shaped profile resting on the wall 4 in the interior of the room and the third profile tract resting on the wall widthwise, the window sash (24) engaging into the window casing (21) .

7. A window frame according to Claim 6, characterized in that the window casing (21) and the window sash (24) are made of stainless sheet metal.

8. A window frame and a corresponding window pane according to Claim 7, characterized in that the lower horizontal part of the window sash (24) is preferably of a U-shaped profile and the upper horizontal part thereof is preferably of an L- shaped profile, while both vertical parts thereof may be of a U-shaped or an L-shaped profile.

9. A window frame and a corresponding window pane according to Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that spacers (27) are bonded to the edge of the profile of the frame (24) adjacent to the outer glass (8) , an L-shaped weather strip (28) is bonded to the lower part of the outer glass of the glass assembly (8), and a gasket (25) is bonded to the inner face of the third (outmost) tract of the double L-shaped profile, perimetrically along both the horizontal and both the vertical sides of the casing.