The object of the invention is a window comprising a built-in frame which defines a window opening, at least one window pane which is fitted into the window opening and which window pane is fitted with hinged support members by which the window pane can be opened and closed, and a flexible draft preventer in the built-in frame to seal the gap between the built-in frame and the edge of the window pane.
In conventional window structures, which at present are most commonly used, window panes are attached to a framing, a window architrave, and several windows provided with such framing are then installed in the built-in frame, generally, to be turned. Generally, the draft preventing arrangement comprises a draft preventer between the architrave and the built-in frame, and the architrave and, correspondingly, the built-in frame comprise clamping and locking members which are used to clamp the architrave against the built-in frame. Solutions are also possible which employ two architraves sealed against each other and only one of them is sealed against the built-in frame. This structure requires a great many fittings.
One prior art reference of this kind is EP 563 030 A1, which discloses a fixed arrangement where the window pane can be installed fixedly in a plastic architrave which in turn can be installed fixedly in a built-in frame. This construction cannot be opened or closed repeatedly.
As an alternative to traditional window solutions, so-called prefabricated element pane solutions have been developed, in which units are manufactured which consist of several window panes which are tightly attached to each other by the edges thereof. Depending on the application and the implementation, thermal or selective pane packages or hermetically sealed panes are often referred to. The elements or packages are fully integral and the panes cannot be separated from each other.
Sometimes, argon or krypton are used as filling gas between the panes instead of dry air. This kind of prefabricated element panes are often used in industrial and office buildings which are provided with effective air conditioning which is designed with the intent that the windows are not opened. In this case, the prefabricated element panes are attached and sealed permanently in place. There are also solutions where such prefabricated element panes are attached to conventional window architraves, so that they can be opened.
From CH 423 179 it is known a window structure without any architraves. This structure includes a built-in frame with a special, draft preventer with drape assists installed in it However, this construction is fixed. It cannot be opened or closed. Thus it cannot be used in windows, which should be opened and closed repeatedly.
A window comprising the features of the preamble of claim 1 is shown in NO 123816 B.
The purpose of the invention is to provide a solution which yields an improved window pane which can be a simple window pane with or without an architrave, or a prefabricated element pane consisting of several layers of glass, and the draft prevention between the built-in frame surrounding it.
The window according to the invention is characterised in that the draft preventer comprises a groove defined by parallel edgings to which the edge of the window pane can be fitted so that the edgings that come against the pane constitute draft prevention for both the outer and the inner side of the pane, while the edging on the side of the window where the pane opens to is arranged to bend so that when the pane is opened and closed, the edge of the pane is allowed to slide past the edging,
The window according to the invention which contains a built-in frame the inner surface of which defines a window opening, and one or more window panes intended to be placed into the opening, thus also contains a draft preventer which is attached to the built-in frame for at least one window pane and which has dimensions and a shape that correspond to the edge of the window pane so that the window pane can be fitted directly into the draft preventing means in the built-in frame so that the window pane can be opened, whereby it is not fitted into the draft preventing means and closed, whereby it is fitted into the draft preventing means.
In the window according to the invention, the edging of the draft preventer conforms to the turning movement of the edge of the pane. whereby, when the window is opened, the edge of the pane pushes the edging away from its front so that the edge of the pane is allowed to slide past the edging, whereupon the edging returns to its original shape. Correspondingly, when the window is closed, the edge of the pane pushes the edging aside from its front so that the edge goes to the groove behind the edging, whereby the edging returns to its original shape in which it works as a draft preventer placed against the window. When the window is opened and closed, a suitable tool, such as a spoon-like tool, can be used if needed. The sealing is improved if the edging is shaped in place to curve toward the window pane located in the groove of the draft preventer.
One preferred embodiment of the invention is characterised in that it comprises support members in the built-in frame which support the window pane and that the edge of the window pane is loosely fitted into the draft preventer in the built-in frame so that no considerable pressure is exerted on the bottom of the groove of the draft preventer by the edge of the pane. Such a window has advantageous sound-proofness because the window panes are loosely fitted into the built-in frame with the aid of the draft preventer, and, supposedly, this flexible securing to the built-in frame effectively attenuates the vibration of the pane. The structure has no air slots either, through which sound could travel. Regarding thermal insulation capacity, the structure is also advantageous compared with the traditional solution because there is a much smaller number of junctions and sealing points between the different parts. Slight shifting of the structures does not impair the sealing, either, because the structure allows a small amount of movement between the pane and the draft preventer without the sealing being changed. The window pane can preferably be supported by its lower edge with the aid of one or more supporting pieces between the lower edge of the pane and the built-in frame. The support can be arranged very smoothly and the built-in frame can be supported, with respect to the wall structure, at about the same points, whereby the solution is very stable and will not cause torsion or stress on any part.
Alternatively, the window pane can be installed in the built-in frame to be turned on hinges, whereby the above-mentioned advantages are also accomplished.
One advantage of the solution according to the invention is that the window panes are easy to replace. The user can replace certain panes, for example, by selective panes or tinted panes very easily and with low cost as compared with the traditional or the prefabricated element pane solution.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the window comprises at least one frameless window pane fitted into the window opening in the built-in frame. Since there are no architraves, material is saved as well as the material and the equipment which in the traditional solution are needed to secure and seal the pane to the architrave. Similarly, the equipment and the material as well as a great many of the fittings that are needed to seal and clamp the architrave and the built-in frame together are saved. The hinge solution can also be simpler than in traditional windows. Savings are also accomplished in the manufacture, as stages of operation relating to the saved parts are omitted.
The window solution according to the invention offers many alternatives to the arrangement of manufacture. The window can be made complete and secure in its place in the prefabricated element pane manufacturing plant. In this case, the built-in frame can be part of the mould when the prefabricated element pane is cast. One preferred alternative is to manufacture the window from a "structural kit". The materials and parts needed can then be purchased from different manufacturers and transported separately to the site, which makes the transport more economical. A company that manufactures windows can as well deliver pre-treated materials and parts to the manufacturing site, such as a construction site. Some parts can be cut to size and some parts can be delivered by the metre. The built-in frames, for example, can be delivered as pieces which are cut to size and pre-treated for jointing. and which are then jointed on the manufacturing site. The draft preventer(s) can be delivered in metres and the window panes preferably as panes that are prefabricated to size and, possibly, provided with mounting holes for hinges or pivot journals. The window according to the invention can as well be fabricated so that the factory manufactures the windows from the parts and materials in its storage and delivers them to the object of use in an assembled form. The manufacture of the window solution according to the invention will not tie up large amounts of capital and a lot of factory space. The window according to the invention is also considerably easier and cheaper to manufacture in a shape that deviates from the normal than other solutions.
In the following, the invention is described in detail with reference to the appended drawings in which:
In Fig. 1, the window opening consisting of built-in frame 1 converges outwards and it has draft preventing means 3a and 3b attached thereto for the inner and the outer window panes 4a and 4b, respectively. In the case of the figure, outer window 4b is closed and, thus, fitted into draft preventer 3b. Inner window 4a is opened and resting on hinges 14a. To the right in the side projection, hinges 14a and 14b are shown schematically in the upper built-in frame, the pivot journals of the hinges being placed in the corresponding recesses in the built-in frame. The lower built-in frame shows schematically draft preventing means 3b and 3a, and the figure shows, at draft preventing means 3a, how the draft preventer bends elastically, according to the invention, so that window 4a can be opened at it.
Fig. 2 shows in detail but still schematically one embodiment of the window according to the invention as a vertical side projection. The window includes three window panes 4a, 4b, and 4c, of which the first two are fitted into respective draft preventers 3a and 3b which are attached to the built-in frame so that they can be detached. At present, in this embodiment, strip 5, 6 made of aluminium profile is installed to the outer surface of the built-in frame in a conventional manner, the outermost window 4c being fitted into draft preventer 3c which is attached to the strip so that it can be detached. Reference number 7 indicates an external sill. A space for a shutter blind is reserved for in built-in frame 1 in the manner indicated by reference number 9. Covering strip 8 conceals the joint between the built-in frame and the wall and the draft preventers of the innermost window panes inside the window. Draft preventers 3a and 3b are attached, in a detachable manner, to respective grooves 21a and 21b formed to the built-in frame, and draft preventer 3c is attached, in a detachable manner, to a respective groove 22 formed in the aluminium strip.
Fig. 2 shows a one-part draft preventer solution, comprising brushes on the surface that comes against the edge of the window pane to provide several contact surfaces and, therefore, better sealing and a more flexible fit between the pane and the draft preventer. There are impediments in the part that comes to groove 33 of draft preventer 3, preventing the draft preventer from sliding away from the groove. Edging 34 of the draft preventer that comes against the inner surface of the pane is rendered more flexible than edging 35 that comes against the outer surface, and when the pane is opened, it is released from the draft preventer groove by using, for example, a suitable spoon-like tool.
Correspondingly, Fig. 3 shows a schematic elevation view of an embodiment of the window according to the invention which comprises an air conditioning arrangement, among other things. In other respects, the structure shown in Fig. 3 is similar to the one shown in Fig. 2 except that the second pane 10, as viewed from the inside, is selective glass and, in addition to this, includes an air conditioning arrangement. This is comprised of apertures 23 for replacement air formed to strip 11 of the sill piece, which air is further allowed to pass through filtering element 12 and openings 24 and 26 in the aluminium strip and space 25 to the space between the two outer windows 10 and 4c. From this space, the replacement air is allowed to pass to the inside of the window through replacement air holes 13 made in built-in frame 1.
It is conceivable that window solutions like those in Figs. 2 and 3 could include, for example, electric warming placed in the built-in frame between the two innermost windows, which could be used to keep the inner surface of the window nice and warm, at about room temperature. There are heating cables available at present, which can be installed in wood, and even a cable which works like a thermostat and adjusts the temperature. This kind of a solution would be very advantageous as compared, for example, with solutions where a laminated glass has a layer which works as a heating resistor and where electricity must then be conducted, through the architrave, to the electrodes at the ends of the pane. Similarly, a lighting fixture could be placed in the space in the built-in frame. Naturally, both the said heating and the lighting arrangement can be implemented in structures other than the window structures according to the invention.
Fig. 4 shows one embodiment of the window according to the invention in a schematic, horizontal side projection along the plane where there are the hinges on which the window panes can be turned in the built-in frame. The disposition of the panes and the draft prevention solutions correspond to that presented in connection with Fig. 2. Hinge 15 is for window pane 4a and hinges 14b and 14c, respectively, for window panes 4b and 4c. Hinges 14b and 14c are attached to vertical built-in frames 17 with respective pilot taps 27b and 27c. The hinges are structured like the so-called pivot hinges, and the fitting of the pivot journal to the hinge in them is loose, whereby the hinge will not prevent the pane from settling and fitting to the draft preventer. The hinges can be attached to the pane, for example, by screw fastening with the aid of holes drilled in the pane, and the attachment can be secured with friction material or glue. Hinge 15 of the innermost window 4a is attached to the inner surface of built-in frame 17 with pilot taps or screws 28, and hinge 29 is fitted here in the same connection, being attached to the frame formed by covering strip 8 of the inner side with screws 30, and the frame can be opened and closed, supported by hinge 29 to open the window panes. Reference number 16 indicates the magnetic locking of the covering strip frame. As the figure shows, the window panes decrease from the inside to the outside. This is necessary in order to be able to open all the window panes properly. Furthermore, Fig. 4 shows an example of locking piece 20 which, after window pane 4c is closed and fitted into draft preventer 3c, is placed in counterpart 31 in built-in frame 17, which has a dovetail-like slot hole. There can be several locking pieces for each window pane.
Fig. 5 illustrates one possible manufacturing and assembling method of the built-in frame. The end of built-in side frame 17 is cut to the shape of the inner surface of built-in upper frame 1 in the manner indicated by reference number 32. Built-in side frame 17 comprises holes for anchor nuts 19 and built-in upper frame 1 and, respectively, built-in side frame 17 comprise holes for screws 18 which are used to attach the comers to each other with the aid of a so-called screw/anchorage connection. The built-in frame can be made of wood or plastic or any other suitable material.
Fig. 6 shows one embodiment of the draft preventing means included in the window according to the invention, in which the draft preventer consists of several parts. Draft preventer 31 is placed in groove 21 which is formed in built-in frame 1, the draft preventer comprising edgings and a space for the edge of window pane 4 between the edgings. In this case, draft preventer 31 is of relatively stiff material, keeping the edge of the window pane well in place. Inside the space constituted by draft preventer 31, there is another, softer draft preventer 32 which can be, as in the figure, for example, a sealing strip with a round cross-section. Softer draft preventer 32 improves the sealing property of the draft preventer solution.
Fig. 7 is a cross-section of a ribbon-type draft preventer 3 of the window according to the invention, comprising groove 33 for the edge of window pane 4, and edgings 34, 35 which are compressed against the inner and outer sides of the pane on both sides of the groove. Edging 34 on the inner side of the pane is shaped so that it curves towards the pane. Edging 35 on the outside of the pane is two-piece so that it forms two sealing lines against the surface of the pane. Pane 4 preferably rests on hinges in built-in frame 1, whereby the pane is in a "floating" state in the draft preventer and the edge of the pane is off the bottom of groove 33.
The window pane in the window according to the invention, at least in larger windows, is preferably prestressed or laminated glass or another glass solution which is tougher than the conventional window pane. The edges of the window are preferably ground and, when being ground, they can be rounded or bevelled in a suitable manner to make it easier to fit them into the draft preventer and, correspondingly, to detach them from the draft preventer. Since prestressing typically makes the strength of the glass multiple, a normal thickness of 4 mm is generally good enough for the prestressed glass, but in larger windows, in particular, the pane may well be much thicker. The edges of the window panes can also be protected or coated. It is also conceivable that, in the solution, instead of the window pane, a prefabricated element pane or a similar element consisting of several panes is placed in the draft preventer which is secured to the built-in frame.
The draft preventer is preferably an integral, slotted sealing strip manufactured to a certain size of a window opening and with comer pieces already attached thereto. The draft preventer can also be manufactured from a sealing which is delivered by the metre, whereby proper tools should be available for making the angle joints. As shown in the examples of Figs. 2, 3, and 4, one preferred structure and lay-out of the draft preventer is one which strongly supports, from the outside, the window pane placed in it. The draft prevention solutions presented here include a draft preventer which comprises a groove for the edge of the window pane, but it is also possible that the draft preventer is made of two parts so that the window pane is first fitted in place in the one draft preventer half, to which thereafter is attached, with the aid of some kind of a dovetail framing or the like, a strip that seals the window pane from the inside. Suitable sealing materials include conventional sealing materials, such as various kinds of rubber and silicone. It is obvious that the draft prevention solution can be implemented in various ways with respect to both its securing to the built-in frame and with respect to the part which receives the edge of the window pane.
In addition to the fact that a relatively stiff draft preventer as such supports the window pane, the window according to the invention can comprise support pieces located between the lower edge of the window pane and the built-in frame. They can be, for example, neck journals placed in the recesses in the built-in frame, extending through the draft preventer to the lower edge of the window or, inside the draft preventer, to the vicinity of the same. It is clear to those skilled in the art that the means which allow the window pane to be secured directly to the built-in frame so that it can be turned, can also be implemented in many other ways than what is presented above. The pivot hinges can be located in various ways and the solution may very well consist of other than the pivot hinge.
The invention can vary within the limits of the appended Claims.