[0001] The present invention relates to a method of installing a window in a roof structure,
said window comprising a frame with a number of frame members and a plurality of mounting
brackets, each mounting bracket comprising a first leg and a second leg substantially
perpendicular to and connected with the first leg in a connection point, the exterior
side of at least the frame members to be connected with mounting brackets being provided
with a longitudinal marking extending in the longitudinal direction of the frame member,
in which the first leg is connected with the exterior side of the frame member and
the second leg is connected with the roof structure.
[0002] When installing windows in a roof structure, two or three angular mounting brackets
are usually screwed into each of the frame side members of the window during the installation,
following which the window is placed in the roof opening and fastened by means of
the second leg to the subjacent roof structure. The longitudinal marking, which may
for instance be a groove and/or a coloured marking line, makes it possible to obtain
a correct positioning of the brackets in the transverse direction of the frame members,
such that the leg intended for connection with the roof structure is placed in the
desired level in consideration of the flashing, which is necessary for ensuring tightness
between the window and the surrounding roof covering.
[0003] This flashing is normally delivered together with the window in a condition ready
for mounting and usually comprises an L-shaped portion, the first flap of which is
adapted to extend upwards along the side members of the frame and thus overlaps, in
a mounted position, at least partially the corresponding leg of the mounting bracket,
and the second flap of which is placed in such a manner that it is sealingly overlapped
by the roof covering. The second flap rests, depending on the construction of the
roof structure, either directly on the corresponding leg of the mounting bracket,
on an underroof or on an insulating material, which may be of different thicknesses.
As it is not desirable to adjust the flashing on the site of installation, the longitudinal
marking of the frame has in that connection to ensure that the fastening of the mounting
bracket is carried out in such a manner that the distance between the upper surface
of the frame and the abutment surface of the flashing on the roof structure is substantially
constant, irrespective of the construction of the roof structure, such that the first
flap of the flashing extends sufficiently far upwards on the associated frame member,
which on the other hand has the effect that the fastening point of the mounting bracket
on the frame member will be different depending on the construction of the roof structure.
[0004] For securing the mounting bracket on the frame member in question, the parts in question
of the roof structure must thus be measured prior to the mounting. This measuring
is an obvious source of error which may delay the mounting, as an erroneous measuring
will have the effect that the mounting bracket has to be removed after the mounting
of the window in the roof opening, if, as mentioned above, it is not preferable or
maybe not even possible to adjust the flashing.
[0005] WO 88/04348 discloses a mounting bracket which provides partial alleviation of this
drawback. The mounting bracket disclosed in this document is intended for mounting
of a window having three grooves which are spaced apart in the transverse direction
of the frame side members and which extend in the longitudinal direction of the frame
side members. The mounting bracket may be temporarily fastened to the frame side member
by means of projections which are formed on one of the legs of the mounting bracket
and which are received in one of said grooves.
[0006] Therefore, it is the object of the invention to provide a method of installing window
of the type mentioned by way of introduction, by means of which the mounting of the
window is simplified and consequently made more rational, the risk of erroneous measurements
being simultaneously reduced.
[0007] This object is according to the invention met in that each mounting bracket is provided
with at least one marking comprising a graduated scale, that measurements are made
by means of said at least one marking, and that each mounting bracket is connected
with the frame member with a scale value read on said graduated scale in flush with
the longitudinal marking of the frame member.
[0008] By such a method of installing a window, a correct positioning of the mounting brackets
is obtained in a simple way by the measuring of the parts in question of the roof
structure being carried out by means of the marking or the markings on the mounting
bracket itself, following which the mounting bracket is fastened to the frame member
with this marking opposite or flushing with the longitudinal marking of the frame
member, whereby it is ensured, irrespective of the positioning of the mounting bracket
relative to the roof structure that a flashing extends with an equal length upwards
along the side members of the frame, whereby a good sealing between the window and
the surrounding roof covering is obtained.
[0009] To get flexibility in respect of the positioning of the mounting bracket, said marking
or markings may be provided on each of the legs of the mounting brackets.
[0010] Preferably, each said graduated scale comprises a millimetre graduation, a graduation
in another unit or a symbol system.
[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, the legs of the mounting brackets are of different
lengths, which makes it possible to use a standardized mounting bracket for a wide
range of different roof structures.
[0012] When installing windows, where the mounting bracket is fastened to the frame with
the first leg extending outwards relative to the roof covering, the graduated scale
preferably starts in the connection point between the legs of the mounting bracket.
[0013] When installing windows, which are mounted comparatively far down into the roof structure,
and in which the mounting bracket is fastened to the frame with the first leg extending
inwards relative to the roof covering, the graduated scale preferably starts near
the end of the legs of the mounting bracket facing away from the connection point
between the legs.
[0014] The invention will be explained in detail in the following with reference to the
schematic drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a window according to the invention,
Fig. 2 a view corresponding to Fig. 1 of a different installation situation,
Fig. 3 a perspective view of a mounting bracket according to the invention,
Fig. 4 a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the mounting bracket according
to the invention, and
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the mounting bracket
according to the invention.
[0015] The window according to the invention generally designated by 1 in Figs 1-3 comprises
a frame, which traditionally has four frame members, one side frame member 2 of which
is shown. A sash structure, here represented by a sash side member 3, is pivotally
connected with the frame and encases an insulating pane 4.
[0016] In Fig. 1, the window 1 is mounted in a roof structure with rafters 5 and boards
6 by means of mounting brackets 7, which usually number four or six, said brackets
being with a first leg 7a fastened pairwise opposite one another to opposite frame
side members 2. The first leg 7a is in a connection point 7c, which is the vertex
of the angle, connected with a second leg 7b extending substantially perpendicular
to the first leg 7a, and by means of which the mounting bracket 7 is connected with
the boards 6. An underlying roof covering 8 of traditional kind is laid out over the
boards 6 and overlaps the second leg 7b of the mounting bracket 7 and extends somewhat
upwards along the first leg 7a.
[0017] In the installation situation shown in Fig. 2 of the window 1, the roof structure
comprises a concrete member 26, on top of which an insulation 28 is placed.
[0018] In view of providing a substantially weatherproof transition between the window 1
and the surrounding roof covering 10, a flashing arrangement is placed along the frame
members. At the frame side members 2 the flashing arrangement comprises an L-shaped
flashing 9 with a first flap 9a extending upwards along the frame side member 2 and
thereby overlapping the first leg of the mounting bracket 7, and a second flap 9b,
which in Fig. 1 rests on the underlying roof covering 8 and in Fig. 2 on the insulation
28, and which is sealingly overlapped in a manner known per se by the plane roof covering
10. The first flap 9a of the L-shaped flashing 9 is overlapped at the upper end by
a metal cap 11, which together with corresponding caps 12 and 13 forms a shield for
the frame and sash against the weather. The frame side member 2 is inwardly connected
with an inclined wall (not shown) through an insulating layer 14 and a light opening
panel 15.
[0019] Finally, the frame side member 2 is provided with a longitudinal marking 16 extending
in the longitudinal direction of the frame side member, said marking being in particular
a coloured groove.
[0020] In the following, the fastening of the mounting bracket 7 to the frame member and
the subsequent installation of the window in a roof opening will be explained in detail.
[0021] Firstly, the thickness of the element or elements separating the abutment surface
of the mounting bracket 7 on the roof structure from the abutment surface of the second
flap 9b of the L-shaped flashing 9 is determined, i.e. the underlying roof covering
8 in Fig. 1 and the insulation 28 in Fig. 2, respectively, by means of a mounting
bracket 7 illustrated most distinctly in Fig. 3. To that end, the mounting bracket
7 is on each leg 7a,7b provided with a marking, which is a graduated scale 17,18 in
the form of a millimetre graduation. This graduation may also be in another unit,
or the graduated scale may be made as a symbol system. Each graduated scale 17,18
starts in the connection point 7c between the legs 7a,7b of the mounting bracket,
and the graduated scale 17 on the first leg 7a comprises values for instance in the
range of 0-50 mm, whereas the graduated scale 18 on the second leg 7b comprises values
for instance in the range of 50-90 mm. To ensure that the mounting bracket, in case
of small thicknesses, does not project over the upper side of the frame side members,
thus getting in conflict with the metal cap 11, one leg of the mounting bracket 7
is shorter than the second one, and in this case the leg 7a is thus shorter than the
leg 7b.
[0022] In the installation situation shown in Fig. 1 with an underlying roof covering 8,
the first leg 7a of the mounting bracket 7 is placed in abutment against the frame
side member 2 in flush with the longitudinal marking groove 16 of the frame side member
2. The mounting bracket 7 is fastened to the frame side member 2 by means of screws
(not shown), which are screwed into the frame member through screw holes 19 into the
leg 7a. When the desired number of mounting brackets has been fastened to the frame
in this manner, the window is placed into the opening made therefor in the roof, and
the mounting bracket 7 is anchored to the roof structure by means of screws (not shown),
which are screwed into screw holes 20 in the leg 7b and further down into the boards
6. Finally, the underlying roof covering 8 is laid over the mounting bracket 7, the
flashing 9 and the metal caps 11-13 are mounted and the roof covering 10 is put in
place.
[0023] The installation of the window 1 in the roof structure shown in Fig. 2 is carried
out in the same manner as described above. Firstly, the thickness of the insulation
28 is measured and read by means of the markings on the mounting bracket 7, in this
case by the graduated scale 18 on the longer leg 7b, following which this leg is placed
in abutment against the frame side member 2 with the scale value read in flush with
the longitudinal marking groove 16 on the frame side member 2. Subsequently, the mounting
bracket 7 is screwed onto the frame side member 2 by means of the screw holes 20 in
the longer leg 7b, which in this case thus constitutes the first leg. The remaining
part of the installation takes place as described above.
[0024] It turns out that the distance between the upper side of the frame side member 2
and the abutment surface for the second flap 9b of the flashing 9 is substantially
identical in the two installation situations, and it is thus ensured that the first
flap 9a of the L-shaped flashing 9 extends with an equal and appropriate distance
upwards on the frame side member 2.
[0025] In the alternative embodiment shown in Figs 4 and 5 of the window 101 with associated
mounting brackets 107, the window is placed further down in the roof structure than
in the embodiment shown in Figs 1-3. Parts having the same or analogous function carry
identical reference numerals but with a 100 added.
[0026] The window 101 is in this case built into a roof structure comprising rafters 105
and battens 108a and possibly counter-battens 108b.
[0027] In this embodiment the marking in the first leg 107a of the mounting bracket 107
is likewise made as a graduated scale 117 in the form of a millimetre graduation,
but in this case the scale starts near the end of the legs of the mounting bracket
facing away from the connection point 107c between the legs 107a and 107b. Measurements
are made of the elements which in the mounted position of the window separate the
abutment surface of the mounting bracket 107 on the roof structure from the abutment
surface of the second flap 109b of the L-shaped flashing 109, i.e. the thickness of
the batten 108a and the counter-batten 108b.
[0028] Then the mounting bracket 107 is placed with its first leg 107a in abutment on the
frame side member 102, said leg extending inwards relative to the roof covering and
the scale value read on the graduated scale 117 in flush with the longitudinal marking
groove 116 on the frame side member 102. Subsequently, the mounting bracket 107 is
fastened to the frame side member 102, and the remaining part of the installation
is made in the same way as described above.
[0029] Like in case of the embodiment described above, both legs 107a,107b of the mounting
bracket 107 may be provided with markings and the legs may be of different lengths.
[0030] The mounting bracket according to the invention may also find use in connection with
other types of roof-penetrating elements than the window shown.
1. A method of installing a window (1; 101) in a roof structure, said window comprising
a frame with a number of frame members (2;102) and a plurality of mounting brackets
(7; 107), each mounting bracket comprising a first leg (7a,7b;107a) and a second leg
(7b,7a;107b) substantially perpendicular to and connected with the first leg in a
connection point (7c; 107c), the exterior side of at least the frame members to be
connected with mounting brackets being provided with a longitudinal marking (16;116)
extending in the longitudinal direction of the frame member, in which the first leg
(7a,7b;107a) is connected with the exterior side of the frame member and the second
leg (7b,7a;107b) is connected with the roof structure, characterized in that each mounting bracket is provided with at least one marking comprising a graduated
scale (17,18;117), that measurements are made by means of said at least one marking,
and that each mounting bracket is connected with the frame member with a scale value
read on said graduated scale in flush with the longitudinal marking of the frame member.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which said marking or markings (17,18) is/are provided
on each of the legs (7a,7b) of the mounting bracket.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which each said graduated scale (17,18;117)
comprises a millimetre graduation, a graduation in another unit or a symbol system.
4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the legs (7a,7b)
of the mounting bracket are of different lengths.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4, in which each graduated scale (17,18) starts in the
connection point (7c) between the legs (7a,7b) of the mounting bracket.
6. A method as claimed in claim 4, in which each graduated scale (117) starts near the
end of the leg (107a) of the mounting bracket facing away from the connection point
(107c) between the legs (107a,107b), said leg (107a) being positioned to extend inwards.