The invention relates to a casing assembly for holding a panel (6), preferably a window pane or a window, or a leaf, comprising a casing (200) comprising:
The invention relates to a casing assembly for holding a panel, preferably a window pane, or a window or a door.
A casing usually is a framework of horizontally positioned straight or bend profiles named sills or lintels and vertically positions straight or bent profiles named posts or jambs, which may or may not have several intermediate posts and intermediate sills in between them. In the casing plane thus created, windows that may or may not be hinged windows or sash windows, of horizontal and vertical window profiles can be placed, but so can doors, ventilating grids, glazing and closed panels as a panel.
The purpose of such a casing is to create a passage from the outside to the inside and vice versa for persons or goods, but also a daylight illumination and optionally ventilation possibilities.
Another important object of a casing is offering the interior climate sufficient protection against atmospheric influences. In moderate and cold climates, it will be attempted to isolate the influence of cold, wind and precipitation as much as possible from the interior climate. On the other hand in warm tropical areas it will be attempted to keep the influence of particularly heat and precipitation as much as possible out of the interior climate and the coolness of air conditioning systems inside.
The constructional profiles used for the existing casing assemblies may be manufactured from different materials such as: wood, aluminium, steel, etcetera.
Drawbacks of these materials are for instance that these materials burden the environment too much (aluminium and hardwood) or have too little insulating properties (aluminium, PVC, wood and steel) or are too difficult to produce (aluminium and wood) or are too expensive (aluminium) or are too heavy (steel and wood) or are too lightweight (PVC) and therefore have to be additionally weighted and reinforced with steel profiles or additional fibre-reinforced profiles.
In short, many often contradictory demands are made on casings. A material that appears promising to meet these contradictory demands seems to be synthetic material.
However, numerous synthetic casings are known that all seem capable of improvement. For instance from EP-A1-233171 a synthetic main profile is known on which strips can be attached at the clear, between which strips a window pane can be attached. The synthetic profile itself has several hollow spaces that are closed off from each other. The strips are clamped in the direction from the clear in the main profile.
A drawback of such a synthetic casing is that the glazing cannot be clamped in the casing.
A further drawback of such a synthetic casing is that the insulation is not optimal, as thermal bridges are still there.
Furthermore the bending rigidity can be improved.
A further drawback is that such a casing by its nature is not all-purpose.
DE-A1-31 42 690 furthermore describes casings comprising a synthetic main profile, internally provided with metal reinforcement members that offer the main profile firmness, a first single-wall metal profile member that is attached to the lower side of the main profile by screwing it into the reinforcement member, and a synthetic inner profile member that is snapped onto the main profile, wherein it is snapped onto the synthetic profile in the direction of the plane of the glazing. Due to the metal outer profile, the metal reinforcement profile and their mutual connection by means of screws thermal bridges are created, and as a result the insulation value is not optimal. Additionally the clamping in of the glazing is not easily adjustable, and the functionality of the synthetic main profile is not easy to adapt.
DE-A1-21 46 250 describes a window comprising a synthetic main profile having a metal reinforcement member. Here as well the glazing is clamped by means of a profile member, in this case a synthetic profile member provided with a metal reinforcement profile. By means of screws the reinforcement members are connected to each other. This again results in thermal bridges and an inadequate insulation. Moreover the window is limited to one glass thickness. The window connects into a synthetic casing, also provided with a metal reinforcement member. The casing has no fixed glazing attachment.
EP-A2-1.052.362 describes various windows. Figure 1 shows a window, which according to the patent application is part of state of the art, having a PVC main profile provided with metal reinforcement members 19 in the main profile. The glazing is clamped between the main profile and the auxiliary profile which can be snapped onto the main profile in the plane of the glazing. EP-A2-1.052.362 further describes an embodiment of a window comprising a synthetic main profile, optionally provided with reinforcement members, onto which two sheets of glass can be glued, as a result of which the sheets of glass contribute to the strength of the window. Profile members can be snapped onto the main profile for aesthetic purposes.
It is an object of the invention to at least solve a part of said drawbacks.
To that end the invention provides a casing assembly according to claim 1.
By selecting a profile member that can be attached to one of the first fastening members at the outside of the hollow synthetic profile, the possibility is provided to hold the window pane with an adjustable force, that means clamping or squeezing. By means of the second fastening member at the clear it is additionally possible to easily give the main profile another function, such as clamping a panel or to make it possible to let a window fit. This particularly when in cooperation with the first fastening member. Due to both fastening members an all-purpose casing is created for permanent parts and leaves, such as windows but doors as well. Such a casing is capable of withstanding large forces.
Additionally due to the shape of the hollow synthetic main profile a good bending rigidity and proper insulating values can be realised, wherein thermal bridges are avoided.
It is furthermore possible to offer a casing assembly of a main profile and profile members which to a large extent are standardised, as a result of which a casing assembly according to the invention can be widely used and is all-purpose and yet adaptable to various specific situations, particularly for outside casings.
Further particular embodiments of the casing assembly are among others described in the sub claims.
For easy mounting the first fastening means comprise a fastening rail, preferably a continuous fastening rail along almost the entire main profile.
In an embodiment of the casing assembly according to the invention the main profile further comprises second fastening members at the clear, when mounted in a building, and a second profile member provided with profile member fastening members cooperating with the second fastening members and a stop for together with the first profile member clamping a panel in between them.
As a result a panel is actually clamped or squeezed between two stops as a result of which a panel can easily and properly be secured. Moreover, because the pressing in takes place substantially perpendicularly to the panel, the pressing forces can be made properly adjustable. In particular when a compressible synthetic material, for instance a compressible synthetic foam such as specifically EPDM rubber, has been arranged between the panel and the stops/pressing surfaces. In practice especially EPDM rubber or as to properties similar materials proved to be able to offer optimal sealing, insulation and reliability in such a construction.
In a further embodiment the main profile is a fibre reinforced synthetic profile with which advantageous results proved to be achievable. Even better results are achieved when the main profile is a yarn-reinforced synthetic profile. This result can even be further improved when the main profile is obtained through pulltrusion. An example of such a suitable material is Durostone® by Röchling, which is composed of polyester, vinyl ester resins, epoxy resins and/or modified epoxy resins with glass fibre mats, glass fibre fabrics and/or glass fibre yarns. Usually the synthetic material is thermo-setting. The wall thickness will be approximately 2-4 mm, if so desired having some thickened reinforcement ribs. Preferably the profile members are composed of the same synthetic material as the main profile.
It has furthermore appeared that an even better insulation, as well as a better rigidity and processability can be achieved when the cavity of the hollow synthetic main profile is filled with insulating material, preferably synthetic foam.
The fastening can even be better when the main profile is provided with at least one synthetic block provided with fastening members for in cooperation with the fastening members of the main profile retaining the block on the main profile, and at least one clamping member extending over at least a part of the length of the main profile and is provided with a clamping member abutment surface for in cooperation with a profile abutment surface extending in the longitudinal direction over at least a part of the main profile, clamping a panel between those abutment surfaces, and fastening means for fastening such a clamping member on such a synthetic block for exerting a clamping force on the panel for retaining the panel in the casing assembly.
Thus it is particularly possible to attach the clamping member such that the clamping force on the panel is easily adjustable. When the synthetic block of a material into which screws can be arranged, preferably is a thermoplastic material, for instance PE, the clamping member can be attached by means of a simple screw connection. By means of for instance a torque spanner the force can be adjusted exactly.
In an embodiment the first profile member and the second profile member, when present, are provided with a layer of EPDM rubber, which when a panel is mounted, is situated between the stop and the panel. As already mentioned above EPDM rubber, or a material which as to properties is almost identical, offers optimal sealing, whereas a sufficiently large clamping force on the panel can be realised indeed.
In an embodiment thereof the profile members and its fastening members are cooperating for exerting a force that compresses the layer of EPDM rubber for at least 20%, but 80% at the most.
The invention further relates to a profile member, suitable as a profile member for a casing assembly as described above.
The invention further relates to a cavity cleat for fastening a casing in the cavity of a building, wherein the cavity cleat is a hollow synthetic profile having a almost closed, circumferential wall that is provided with a first fastening member for fastening the cavity cleat at the outside of an interior wall, and a second fastening member for fastening a casing to the cavity cleat.
Up until now simple wooden laths have been used. However they are not durable, not of a constant quality, insufficiently insulating. Moreover it is not always easy to fasten a casing onto them.
In an embodiment the cavity cleat is obtained by means of pulltrusion. Preferably it is reinforced by means of fibres, preferably yarns. An example of such a suitable material is Durostone®, that has been composed of polyester, vinylester-, epoxide- and/or modified epoxide resins with glass fibre mats, glass fibre fabrics and/or glass fibre yarns.
In a further embodiment the hollow space of the cavity cleat is filled with insulating material, for instance synthetic foam.
The invention furthermore relates to a casing assembly for holding a panel, comprising a circumferential substantially synthetic main profile and a profile member fastened to it for clampingly retaining a panel in the casing assembly, wherein the clamping force is substantially oriented parallel to the normal of the panel.
In an embodiment, for improvement of the attachment of the panel, the profile member exerts a clamping force on the panel at almost the entire circumference. The profile member runs along the entire casing circumference, and thus clamps the panel at almost the entire circumference.
For an improved construction the profile member is provided with a compressible sealing layer between the profile member and the panel, preferably the EPDM rubber already described.
The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment of a casing assembly and a cavity cleat according to the invention, in which:
Figure 1 shows a casing assembly according to the invention provided with various elements such as a tilt-and-turn window on the left-hand side and two fixed glazing parts on the right-hand side.
The cross-sections AA, BB and CC are identical and shown in figure 2.
The cross-sections EE, FF and HH are identical and shown in figure 4.
The cross-section GG is shown in figure 5.
In figure 1 panels 201 (here window panes) are indicated, the casing 200 with intermediate posts 202, and a leaf 203, here a window 203.
Figure 2 shows the cross-section of a casing assembly of figure 1 along AA (BB and also CC).
Here the outside of the casing is indicated by 2 and the inside of the casing is indicated by 3. In figure 2 it therefore regards a casing provided with a window turning or tilting to the inside.
The casing assembly has a permanent casing 200 having sills (and posts) having a main profile 4 that is attached to the building, and a window 203 having a window frame with a main profile 5 that is attached in the casing such so as to be turned or tilted.
In the window 203 that can be turned or tilted, a window pane 6 of double-glazing is attached. Both the main profile 4 of the sill and the post and the main profile 5 of the window frame are hollow, and the hollow spaces 7 and 8 are filled with a synthetic foam for increasing the insulating level ("core-filled"). Synthetic foam can be used as insulating medium, but other insulting media are also possible.
The main profile 4 and the window frame 5 have a circumferential synthetic wall as a result of which a central hollow space 7 is created, as a result of which the insulation is optimal and a minimal thermal bridge can arise.
At the outside 2 the main profile 5 of the window has fastening members 9 to which a first profile member 10 has been attached.
The first profile member 10 of the window is provided with a stop 11, here a stop surface, on which a strip of EPDM rubber 12 has been arranged. The first profile member 10 is attached to the main profile 5 by means of screws 16 and a synthetic block 17 that are attached to the fastening means 9 of the main profile. By varying the thickness of said synthetic block 17, window panes of various thicknesses can be used. The synthetic block 17 preferably is made of a thermoplastic material, preferably of such a composition and hardness so as to be able to drive a screw into it.
Instead of one continuous block 17, several blocks may also be arranged at various locations on the main profile 5 in the fastening means 9, here forming a fastening rail continuing in the longitudinal direction.
As finishing the first part profile is provided with a finishing frame 15, that hides the fastening screws 16 from view. In practice for instance these cover profiles, preferably made of a synthetic material, may be provided with an accenting colour.
For obtaining a good sealing of the window, the main profile 5 is provided with various sealing strips 1 8 and 20 which by means of fastening members 19 and 22 are attached to the main profile. Said profiles are placed at such a position so as to create several air chambers, as a result of which the insulating action is further increased, and water discharge and water vapour discharge are improved.
The main profile 4 of the casing, that is attached to the building, is provided with fastening means 23, in this case a rail, at the clear on which in this case a (flexible synthetic) sealing profile 21 has been arranged by means of a snap connection, which sealing profile cooperates with sealing profile 20 of the main profile 5 of the window member.
Additionally the main profile 4 of the casing 200 is provided with fastening members 24 at the side facing the outside on which fastening blocks 25 have been arranged on which by means of screws 28 a profile member 26 has been attached, in a similar way as in the main profile 5 described above. The fastening blocks have been slid between the confining members from the side, in the direction perpendicular to the paper.
The profile member 26 is an ornamental frame 27 arranged to hide the screws from view. This ornamental frame can again be provided with an accenting colour. By means of the profile member 26 and first profile member 10 a hollow space 29 is created which again has an insulating, water discharging and water vaporising action.
From the further description of the figures it will become clear that by fastening various profile members and strips on the fastening members 23 and 24 the functionality of the casing can be adjusted as a result of which it may serve for holding panels, such as a window pane, or for a leaf, such as a window or a door.
A first profile member 10 of window 203 has pressure surface 11 on which an EPDM rubber strip 12 has been arranged. Together with stop surface 13 of the main profile 5 on which an EPDM strip 14 has also been arranged, it clamps the window pane 6 in between. Because the first profile member 10 can be attached perpendicularly to the window by means of screws 16, the compressive force F of the part profile 10 is adjustable, and oriented substantially perpendicularly to the window, as a result of which the window is clamped. A proper sealing of the window is achieved when the EPDM rubber 12 and 14 is compressed for 20-80%.
Figure 3 shows a cross-section DD of figure 1, through post 202 and window 203, wherein the permanent glazing part is not further shown here. In this case a main profile member 40 that is mirror symmetrical, is used as the intermediate post 202. The main profile of the intermediate post in addition to the fastening members 23 at the one clear, is provided with fastening members 42 at the other clear to which permanent glazing can be attached as will be clarified in the drawings below (figure 5).
Figure 4 shows, as mentioned before, the cross-sections EE, FF and HH of the casing 200. The main profile 4 is provided here with profile members due to which it is suitable for holding a window pane.
For attaching the fixed glazing or window pane 6, on the main profile 4, that is identical to the main profile shown in figure 2, a second profile member 60 is attached to the fastening means 23 and to the fastening ridge 63 in the main profile 4 at the side facing the outside. The second profile member 60 can be snapped on, or slid on in the direction perpendicular to the paper. Here the profile member 60 forms an air chamber 66 that ensures further insulation to the inside.
The second profile member 60 is again provided with a stop surface 61 provided with an EPDM rubber strip 62 and with first fastening means 64 that engage fastening members 23 of main profile 4 and of further fastening members 65 that engage fastening ridge 63 in the outside in the main profile 4.
Because of the two fastening points, of which one fastening point is situated either below or adjacent to the window at the outside, and the other engages the outside, compressive and tensile forces that may be active on the window for instance wind pressure, are properly absorbed.
Profile member 60 is slid in the longitudinal direction on the main profile, or is snapped on the fastening members. Profile member 60 thus is attached to the main profile in a form-fit manner.
Profile member 26, provided with stop surface 204 provided with EPDM layer 205, together with profile member 60 encloses the window pane 6 in a clamping manner.
When the fastening 25 has been carried out as several blocks distributed along the longitudinal direction of main profile 4, condensation moisture that arises at the lower side of the glazing can easily pass away. On the other hand a proper insulation is ensured by means of air chamber 6.
Figure 5 shows the cross-section GG of figure 1, wherein on both sides of the intermediate post 202 fixed glazing is attached. Here the symmetrical main profile 40 is used that has also been shown in figure 3. By using the second profile members 60, shown in figure 4, twice in this symmetrical main profile, and a first profile member 71 which on both sides is provided with stop surfaces 76 on which EPDM rubber strips 77 have been arranged, it is possible to clamp or squeeze fixed glazing on both sides of the main profile. When a screw connection is used with screws 28, the compression force is easy to adjust.
Figure 6 shows the attachment of the main profile 4 to a building. Here the main profile 4 is provided with an additional fastening member 90. The main profile 4 is in this case attached in the cavity 84.
The wall of the building consists of an exterior wall 83 on which a steel profile 85 has been attached. It namely regards a cross-section of an upper side of an opening here. The wall furthermore has insulating material 82 attached to the inside wall 81, which interior wall 81 is provided with a coat of plaster 86.
In order to attach the main profile 4 a newly designed cavity cleat 80 has been provided on the interior wall, which cavity cleat is made of synthetic material and is filled with a synthetic foam 96, and preferably identical as to material and manufacture to the main profile 4. This cavity cleat is provided with first fastening members 93 for fastening the cavity cleat onto the interior wall, second fastening members 92 for fastening the cavity cleat to the main profile 4 and lips forming a rail 47 for cooperation with fastening members 90.
Various EPDM strips have been attached on the cavity cleat for sealing such as EPDM strip 94 in the fastening means for fastening the cavity cleat on the interior wall, and EPDM strip 91 which is compressed by the means 90 and an EPDM strip 99 and an EPDM strip 98 for sealing. During attachment, these strips have to be compressed for at least 20-80%.
The main profile 4 is fastened by means of a screw 88 through the fastening member of the cavity cleat to said cavity cleat. Furthermore the cavity cleat has a projecting ridge 95 for connection to the plastering.
Figure 7 shows the cross-section of the wall of figure 6 in a construction stage of a building, wherein the walls and insulation have been arranged, as well as the cavity cleats, but the final casing has not yet been arranged. In this case an auxiliary profile 100 has been arranged on the cavity cleat, which auxiliary profile is provided with a foil 101 for covering the window opening which is attached in the auxiliary profile by means of fastening 102. This profile as well is a synthetic profile. This auxiliary profile can be used again. By means of the specific cavity cleat and the auxiliary profiles 100 a building can be made wind- and watertight during construction without the final casings having been placed.
The invention comprises a system of casing profiles for casings and windows wherein the structure consists of a main profile of fibre reinforced synthetic material consisting of one main profile which contains one or more hollow spaces that have to be filled with an insulating substance and wherein optionally at the outside a profile is screwed of the same material, which space is separated by an open ventilating space and water discharging space. The object of the screwed outer profile is to squeeze the glazing or a panel where it is placed with such pressure that the necessary sealing between the glazing and the profile within the glazing or outside the glazing is compressed at least 20% and 80% at the most, in order to create a very good sealing against water and vapour.
Where a rotating part such as a window is mounted, the object of this profile is to create a proper sealing against water and wind. An additional object of this profile is to ensure a proper water discharge and ventilation through the open though windtight construction.
The invention can also be used in the application for the bridging construction, popularly called cavity cleat, which forms the connection between the casing and the surrounding constructional structure.
The fibre reinforced synthetic material can be made of a mixture of 70% wood fibre of residual wood and 30% synthetic material for instance polypropylene or a fibre reinforce synthetic material of which the fibre reinforcement, preferably fibre mats and twined fibre yarn, has a relative weight of 25 to 70% but preferably 50%.
The main profile described above regards a fibre reinforced hollow single- or multiple-chamber constructional profile produced by extrusion, preferably by means of pulltrusion, which is filled with an insulating material and which at the outside is covered open by an extra screwed profile of the same material for a better ventilation and dewatering of condensate and entering precipitation.
The object of the screwed outer profile is to squeeze the glazing or a panel where it is placed with such pressure that the necessary sealing between the glazing and the profile within the glazing or outside the glazing is compressed at least 20% and 80% at the most, in order to create a very good sealing against water and vapour.
Where a rotating part such as a window is mounted, the object of this profile is to create a proper sealing against water and wind. An additional object of this profile is to ensure a proper water discharge and ventilation through the open though windtight construction.
Several fibre reinforced synthetic materials can be distinguished. For instance fibre reinforced synthetic material consisting of a mixture of 70% wood fibres of residual wood and 30% synthetic material for instance polypropylene or a fibre reinforced synthetic material of which the fibre reinforcement, preferably fibre mats and twined fibre yarn, has a relative weight of 25 to 70% but preferably 50%.
When the casings are produced from profiles of fibre reinforced synthetic material, particularly hollow profiles having an almost circumferential wall, these casings will only have advantages in comparison to casings produced from profiles of the already existing traditional materials.
The advantages are summed up below:
Lightweight constructions are possible and therefore buildings of greater heights are possible. Such a casing is furthermore easier to lift and as regards labour conditions it is preferable to a traditional material.
Considering the wall thickness and due to the fibre reinforcement, the material is very strong and able to withstand high forces. Thus it is very suitable in stormy and windy areas or in areas with a high earthquake risk.
The material hardly has a thermal bridge. Condensation of water vapour on the surface, usually the inner surface, will hardly occur. Together with the insulating filling to be used, a casing made with these main profiles will have a high insulating value.
The material is relatively easily industrially coloured in a certain (standardised) colour or after production it is easy to treat by the buyer in a basic colour or final colour.
Due to the simplicity of the profiles the production costs are also very low. Moreover, due to the design of the fastening members and the profile members, it is easy to realise a plurality of designs of alternatingly fixed glazing, casement windows and tilting windows, doors and other panels, with a limited number of standardised profile members.
The material is very well resistant to weather influences and chemical reactions. This a good property in view of the lifespan of a casing produced with this material.
With the new glazing system wherein the glazing is squeezed with the outer screwed profiles by compressing the sealing between 20% to 80%, the glazing system is absolutely wind, vapour and watertight. Additionally a great drawback of the existing glazing systems is overcome, namely the wearing out of a dry glazing sealing profile due to shrinkage and expansion and weathering, ageing and hardening of the existing putty sealings.
Due to the small expansion coefficient it is suitable for larger casing dimensions and surfaces without problems arising in view of dilatations.
Due to the insulation and the material properties the profiles have a higher sound-insulating property that the existing materials used for casings.
In the hollow spaces of the mail profiles ventilating installations are rather easy to create and mount. Considering the expectations for the future they may be provided with heat recovery units.
By developing a cavity cleat structure from the material there is the possibility of making a certain system of post-mounting wherein during the building stage a provisional window can be mounted and wherein the final stage of the construction process towards the completion the provisional window is replaced by the casing. This cavity cleat structure may also be used in the traditional method wherein casings are set for the bricklaying. Heat recovery units may optionally be integrated in these cavity cleats.
It will be clear that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above elucidation many variations that fall within the spirit and the scope of the present invention will be obvious to the expert.