[0001] The present invention concerns a ventilating element.
[0002] In particular, the invention concerns a ventilating element which can be placed above
a window.
[0003] A known ventilating element is formed of two extruded aluminium shells, i.e. an inner
shell and an outer shell, which correspond to two extruded plastic shells on which
the aluminium shells are provided.
[0004] The two plastic shells can be provided on top of one another, in particular in different
mutual positions, such that one and the same ventilating element can be provided on
different types of windows with deviating thickness dimensions.
[0005] The shells are provided with ribs, grooves and teeth to co-operate in an appropriate
manner with glass rubbers, window jambs or other elements that are usually provided
in a window.
[0006] In the aluminium jambs and in the supports are provided openings which make it possible
for a flow of air to pass from the outside to the inside or vice versa.
[0007] However, the known ventilating elements require the supports to be adjusted to the
different wall thickness that must be spanned.
[0008] The present invention aims to remedy said problem.
[0009] To this end, the ventilating element according to the invention comprises two extruded
shells, namely an inner shell and an outer shell, and a support provided between the
aforesaid shells, whereby the support is provided with an air passage reaching from
the inner shell to the outer shell, and whereby the supports can be telescopically
adjusted so as to be adapted to several wall thicknesses.
[0010] In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, the following preferred
embodiments are described by way of example only without being limitative in any way,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
figures 1 and 2 show a ventilating element according to the invention, seen in perspective
from different angles;
figure 3 shows a section according to line III-III in figure 1;
figures 4 and 5 show the part, indicated by arrow F4 in figure 1, seen in perspective
from different angles;
figures 6 and 7 show an alternative embodiment of the part, indicated by arrow F4
in figure 1, seen in perspective from different angles.
[0011] Figures 1 to 3 show a ventilating element 1 according to the invention.
[0012] The ventilating element 1 mainly consists of two extruded shells, namely an inner
shell 2 and an outer shell 3 respectively, designed to be provided on the inside and
the outside of the building.
[0013] Between both shells 2 and 3 is provided a support 4. In the support 4 is provided
an air passage 5 which reaches from the inner shell 2 to the outer shell 3.
[0014] The plastic support 4 is made in two parts here and thus comprises a first block
6 on which the inner shell 2 is provided, and a second block 7 on which the outer
shell 3 is provided.
[0015] The second block 7 has a 3D design here with a variable section in its longitudinal
direction, corresponding with the 3D design of the first block 6 which also has a
variable section in its longitudinal direction, such that both blocks 6 and 7 can
be fixed and clamped to one another in various positions in order to obtain an adjustable
total width B of the support 4.
[0016] The 3D design of both blocks 6 and 7 is illustrated in figures 4 and 5.
[0017] The first block 6 can be regarded as a jamb with a predominantly U-shaped section,
with a back 8 and legs 9 and 10, whereby the back 8 is provided with a recess 12 in
the central part 11.
[0018] The outer walls of these legs 9 and 10 are situated at a distance D1.
[0019] The second block 7 can be regarded as a jamb with a predominantly U-shaped section,
with a back 13 and legs 14 and 15, whereby the back 13 is provided with a recess 17
in the central part 16.
[0020] The back 8, the legs 9 and 10, the back 13 and the legs 14 are thick-walled or in
this case massive, in particular with thicknesses of more than 2 mm, in this case
between 5 mm and 30 mm.
[0021] A few water discharge channels 18 reach from the inner part of the recess 17 to the
connection of the back 13 with the leg 15 situated at the bottom.
[0022] The inner walls of the legs 14 and 15 are situated at a distance D2, which corresponds
in an appropriate manner with or is even somewhat smaller than the outside dimension
D1 of the first block 6, such that they can be clamped together.
[0023] The blocks 6 and 7 have such a design on the outside, in particular with a few edges
19, and near the transition from the back 13 into the leg 15 they have a shoulder
20 corresponding with the inner shell 2 and the outer shell 3 and designed to fix
the latter on the blocks 6 and 7.
[0024] Said inner shell 2 is provided to that end with a first pair of protruding flanks
21 which, as is shown in figures 1 to 3, co-operate in an appropriate manner with
the outside of the first block 6, and with a second pair of protruding flanks 22,
the topmost flank 22 of which cooperates in an appropriate manner with the outside
of the second block 7, and whose bottommost flank 22 is provided with teeth 23 to
co-operate with a plastic fixing post 24 between the inner shell 2 and the outer shell
3.
[0025] In line with the air passage 5, the inner shell 2 is provided with a recess 25 and
further in line therewith with a rotating stop valve 26.
[0026] In analogy with what precedes, also the outer shell 3 is provided, in line with the
air passage 5 there, with a recess 27 and in line therewith with a self-regulating
stop valve 28 made of plastic.
[0027] This self-regulating stop valve 28 is provided in a rotating manner in a screening
cap 29 provided on the outer shell 3 by means of what is called a clip connection
30.
[0028] The self-regulating stop valve 28 is predominantly Y-shaped.
[0029] The working of the ventilating element 1 according to the invention is simple and
as follows.
[0030] When there are no stop valves 26 and 28, the ventilating element 1 according to the
invention provides for an isolated element which, in the orientation as shown, can
be provided above a window jamb in which is provided a passage 5 which connects to
openings 26 and 27 in the aluminium shells 2 and 3 forming a housing of the ventilating
element 1.
[0031] Air can then be moved unhindered from the inside to the outside, or vice versa, depending
on the differential pressure over the inside and the outside of the building.
[0032] When there is an equilibrium of pressure, the ventilating element 1, for the time
being still being considered without any stop valves 26 and 28, would form a good
insulating element, but without any particular use however.
[0033] Indeed, the blocks 6 and 7 and the plastic fixing post 24 between the inner shell
2 and the outer shell 3 provide for a good insulation between the inside and the outside
of the building on the one hand, and between the ventilating element 1 and the window
jamb on the other hand.
[0034] The plastic fixing post 24 thereby maintains the thermal separation between an inner
frame and an outer frame of a usually underlying window.
[0035] The blocks 6 and 7 are clamped onto one another, which allows for a telescopic adjustment
which may be optionally variable.
[0036] The used hard foam, in this case hard EPS, is advantageous in that it is a relatively
hard plastic, but nevertheless sufficiently flexible and deformable or compressible,
which makes it possible to provide a mould with limited tolerances of for example
0.1 mm.
[0037] The support 4 is thick-walled in this case, such that the structure as a whole offers
sufficient rigidity. The walls in particular have a thickness larger than 2 mm, and
preferably larger than 3 mm, in this case in particular between 5 and 30 mm, but depending
on the dimensions of the ventilating element 1, the used plastic or the required characteristics,
sizes may vary.
[0038] This characteristic offers the advantage that the used material must not have the
same strength as the materials that are usually applied, such as PVC.
[0039] Thanks to said characteristic, the support 4 can be made of a strongly insulating
material which is easy to process, which are important qualities for the present application.
[0040] In what follows, the stop valves 26 and 28 on the ventilating element 1 are taken
into account again.
[0041] Thanks to the presence of the self-regulating stop valve 28, the free flow of air
from the outside to the inside will be restricted in case of a differential pressure.
[0042] Indeed, as the overpressure between the outside and the inside increases, for example
due to the influence of the wind, the tendency for the free flow of air to increase
through the air passage is restricted as the self-regulating stop valve 28 is lifted.
[0043] This lifting is procured by the differential pressure between the outside and the
inside and possibly also by any additional changes in pressure caused by the air flow
itself and the specific rendering of the ventilating element 1 there, among others
due to the venturi action at the self-regulating stop valve 28.
[0044] To this end, the self-regulating stop valve 28 has a special distribution of weight
in relation to its hinge pin.
[0045] In particular, the specific Y-shaped section makes sure here that the centre of gravity
of the self-regulating stop valve 28 is mainly situated on the leg with which the
self-regulating stop valve 28 is hinge-mounted.
[0046] The counterweight increases as the self-regulating stop valve 28 is tilted as a result
of an overpressure on the outside of the ventilating element 1. This prevents it from
closing off too quickly.
[0047] The stop valve 26 makes it possible to close off the air passage 5 manually from
the inside.
[0048] According to a special embodiment, represented in figures 6 and 7, the blocks 6 and
7 are provided with fastening means 31 on one or on both free ends, in this case in
the shape of a tooth or a groove in the shape of a dovetail directed crosswise to
the longitudinal direction of the blocks 6 and 7.
[0049] Said fastening means 31 make it possible to extend the support 4 by connecting blocks
6 or 7 with one another, or by providing adapters, connecting pieces or end parts
or the like on the latter.
[0050] Additional recesses 32 may also be provided at the far ends which may serve as parts
of the air passage 5.
[0051] When a first block 6 is provided with a tooth or a groove 31 on at least one far
end, whereas the second block 7 is provided with a tooth or a groove 31 on at least
the other far end, this will make it possible to saw the blocks 6 and 7 at the required
lengths and to provide an extension piece, an end part or a connecting piece on both
far ends which must then be provided with a corresponding groove or tooth.
[0052] To that end, the blocks 6 and 7 are sawn on the free ends that are moved away from
one another, such that the support 4, when the blocks 6 and 7 are joined after having
been sawn, is still provided with connecting means on each of the free ends, be it
then only on one of the blocks 6 and 7.
[0053] This makes it possible to provide ventilating elements 1 with an arbitrary length,
whereby they can still be provided with an extension piece, an end part or a connecting
piece or the like on both free ends.
[0054] Besides, the blocks 6 and 7 are clamped onto one another, which offers the possibility,
in case of a crossed mutual positioning, to extend the blocks with additional blocks
or to provide them with adapters, connecting pieces or end parts or the like.
[0055] The clamping co-operation between the blocks 6 and 7 allows for a telescopic adjustment,
which may be optionally variable, but it is clear that this adjustability for a given
support 4 is restricted to a certain interval.
[0056] It is clear that the blocks 6 and 7 can also be integrated and made in one piece.
This results in a cheaper but less flexible support 4.
[0057] The support 4 or the blocks 6 and 7 can be made in different lengths, for example
in lengths of one metre.
[0058] It is also clear that a support 4 can be made of various materials, or that a single
support 4 can be composed of different materials.
[0059] The inner shell 2 as well as the outer shell 3 can be provided with connecting means
to apply numerous accessories, such as an insect netting or a pollen filter which
are preferably replaceable, external operation means, a fan, sound deadening means
or heat recycling means.
[0060] The present invention is by no means restricted to the embodiments described by way
of example and represented in the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such a ventilating
element according to the invention can be made in many different shapes and dimensions
while still remaining within the scope of the invention.
1. Ventilating element to form a ventilating passage between two spaces comprising two
extruded shells, namely an inner shell (2) and an outer shell (3), and a support (4)
provided between the aforesaid shells (2,3), whereby the support (4) is provided with
an air passage (5) reaching from the inner shell (2) to the outer shell (3), and whereby
the support (4) is built of two blocks (6 and 7) on which are respectively provided
the inner shell and the outer shell, characterised in that the two blocks are telescopically adjustable.
2. Ventilating element according to claim 1, characterised in that the support (4) comprises walls with a thickness of more than 2 mm.
3. Ventilating element according to claim 1, characterised in that the support (4) comprises walls with a thickness of more than 5 mm.
4. Ventilating element according to one or several of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support (4) is provided with water discharge channels (18).
5. Ventilating element according to one or several of the preceding claims, characterised in that between the inner shell (2) and the outer shell (3) is provided a plastic fixing
post (24).
6. Ventilating element according to one or several of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support (4), or if necessary at least one of the blocks (6,7), is provided with
fastening means on at least one of its free ends for fixing an end part, a connecting
piece or an extension piece or the like.
7. Ventilating element according to claims 9 and 2, characterised in that the first block (6) is provided with fastening means on one far end, whereas the
second block (7) is provided with fastening means on the other far end.