A dormer and a method of positioning same

Abstract

 The invention relates to a dormer, comprising a frame to be connected to a sloping roof construction and a top construction to be coupled to said frame, said frame comprising a catch element near a, during use, uppermost position for cooperation with a gripping element of said top construction, such that mutually assembling said gripping element and said catch element provides a pivotable coupling of said frame and said top construction.
The invention also relates to a method for positioning a dormer.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a dormer. A dormer is known in the art. So as to increase the amount of useful space below a sloping roof construction usually a dormer is positioned. The useful inner space of a building increases considerably, especially because the walkable surface area is increased.

[0002] It is known to mount a dormer only after a house or the like is already inhabited. This means that the inhabitants are disturbed by the activities. The activities consist of cutting out a part of the sloping roof construction and removing said cut out part. Compared to other activities this step may be performed rather quickly. Subsequently, the dormer needs to be positioned, requiring mechanics to perform a great deal of their activities on the sloping roof construction. Due to the high altitude, the mechanics require safety harnesses and a scaffold needs to be positioned against the façade as well.

[0003] The invention now aims at providing an improved dormer.

[0004] The invention also aims at providing a dormer that cab e positioned easier.

[0005] The invention especially aims at providing a dormer than can be positioned quicker.

[0006] The invention also aims at providing a dormer that can be positioned safer.

[0007] The invention also aims at providing an improved method for positioning a dormer on a sloping roof construction.

[0008] The invention further aims at providing a method for positioning a dormer safe and fast.

[0009] So as to obtain at least one of the above mentioned goals, the present invention provides according to a first embodiment a dormer comprising the features of claim 1. This dormer has the advantage that it can be positioned very fast and easily. The frame can be connected to the sloping roof construction after which the top construction can be hoisted and connected to the frame from the outside. After the frame has been connected to the sloping roof construction, completion of the dormer may be performed in a few minutes only.

[0010] It has proved advantageous for the frame to comprise a substantially horizontally extending beam near a, during use, uppermost position, said beam comprising a ridge near a side of said beam that is direct away from the opening, and said ridge being embodied for insertion in a recess provided by said gripping element. This ensures a simple weir, also functioning as a hinge for positioning said top construction on said frame.

[0011] A simple and effective connection is especially obtained if said gripping element and said catch element provide a bead connection.

[0012] More in particular, both positioning the top construction can be effected securely and a very effective is obtained when the catch element is provided near a position of the frame beam that is at an uppermost position when in use.

[0013] These advantage are further enhanced when an end of the ridge directing away from the frame beam is facing downwards during use.

[0014] A very efficient sealing and guiding when positioning the top construction on the frame is obtained when the catch element and gripping element extend substantially over the complete width of the dormer.

[0015] It is especially preferred for the frame to comprise a box construction positioned around an opening. Said box construction may be constructed of continuous beams providing a continuous box construction and constituting en opening within said box construction. When said frame is connected in a sloping roof construction such provides a finished cutout by means of said cutout (said cutout forming said opening). The top construction may subsequently be simply connected to said frame.

[0016] An effective support of the top construction on said frame is obtained when said frame comprises a bearing surface and the top construction comprises a support base to be positioned on said bearing surface. For example, these may be continuous surfaces, i.e. surfaces that extend at all sides of said frame and the top construction, but these surfaces may be provided at specific parts of the circumference of said frame and top construction. An advantage of continuous surfaces is that simultaneously a wind and fluid seal is obtained.

[0017] An effective seal is especially obtained when said top construction comprises a U-shaped element at a side that is directed downwards during use, for receiving at least part of said frame's bearing surface. This also comprises a U-shaped element at the frame and a part of the bearing surface of said top construction to be positioned between the legs of said U-shaped element. The use of such U-shaped element further provides the advantage that a simple alignment of said top construction and frame is obtained when connecting both parts. Such configured element also provides a labyrinth seal which effectively provides protection against moisture and wind.

[0018] Protection against weather is also obtained when the dormer comprises at all outer sides a weir cooperating with the roof's roof cladding.

[0019] An efficient drain of water is obtained when the roof of said top construction declines towards an uppermost position of said frame and said frame comprises an integrated rainwater drainage for draining any rainwater from said sloping roof construction and from said dormer's roof. Water for example may be drained at the side of the beam that is directed way from the top construction, the beam being connected to the ridge, and subsequently along the sides of said dormer along said sloping roof downwards.

[0020] So as to obtain an efficient sealing between frame and top construction it is preferred that said top construction comprising near said support base a compressible material for providing a wind seal, preferably comprised of a rubber material. Such material preferably being positioned between said bearing surface and said support base, providing an efficient sealing.

[0021] The dormer according to the invention may be positioned especially easily when the top construction substantially comprises a prefab construction. After positioning said frame, the top construction may be brought into position in a single step, for example by means of a crane or the like. It is also preferred for the frame to be a prefab construction.

[0022] According to a further aspect, the invention relate to a method for positioning a dormer according to the present invention at a sloping roof construction, said method comprising at least the steps of: [a] providing a cutout in a sloping roof construction, [b] connecting the frame at edges of said cutout, such that a catch element being provided near an uppermost position of said frame, [c] positioning a gripping element of said top construction around said catch element, such that the support base of said top construction is positioned at a distance from the frame's bearing surface, and [d] rotating said top construction around said catch element, so as to have the support base of said top construction bear on the frame's bearing surface. This way the above mentioned advantages are obtained.

[0023] It is especially preferred in the method according to the present invention that the top construction is hoisted in a position so as to abut said frame.

[0024] The invention will now be explained by means of a drawing. The drawing shows in:

Fig. 1 a schematic front view of a dormer according to the invention,

Fig. 2 - 7 and 9 a schematic side view of a dormer according to the invention, and

Fig. 8 a schematic front view of a part of the dormer according to the invention.

[0025] In the figures, the same parts are identified by the same reference numerals. However, for sake of clarity, not all parts that may be required for a practical embodiment of the invention have been shown.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a dormer 1 according to the invention. The dormer 1 comprises two sides 2, 3, a bottom part 4 and a top part 5. The dormer's 1 roof is at its front side, as shown in the figure, surrounded by a fascia 6. In the embodiment shown, the dormer 1 comprises three windows 7.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional side view of dormer 1 according to the invention. The dormer 1 is positioned on a sloping roof construction 8. To this end, a frame 9 is connected to the sloping roof construction 8. A top construction 10, as shown in Fig. 5, is positioned on said frame 9 and connected thereto. This provides a secure mutual coupling of frame 9 and top construction 10. The mutual coupling may for example be obtained through bolt and nut connections or screws. Frame 9 comprises at top part 11, as further shown in Fig. 4, a weir 12 being positionable below an existing roof cladding 13. Rainwater, originating from roof cladding 13, schematically identified by arrow 15 in Fig. 3, will be drained through a gutter 14 provided in frame 9 (as shown in Fig. 2).

[0028] Frame 9 may be connected to the roof construction 8 between the beams or on the beams.

[0029] Fig. 4 shows frame 9, wherein a sidebeam 16 has been shown, provided at side 2, as well as a top beam 17 and a bottom beam 18. A left side beam is present as well, but is not shown in the figure. Beams 16, 17, 18 together with left side beam, provide a continuous box construction that is connected to the sloping roof construction and that provides a connection platform for positioning the top construction 10. The top parts of the beams, schematically identified by reference numerals 19, 20, 21 for beams 17, 18, 16 serve as bearing surface for top construction 10. To that end, said top construction 10 comprises support bases 22, 23, 24, as identified in Fig. 5.

[0030] As further shown in Fig. 4 beam 17 comprises a ridge 25. Around this ridge, a gripping element 26 that has been provided at top construction 10, may grab when top construction 10 is lowered onto frame 9 in a position as shown in Fig. 6. Said gripping element 26 grabs around ridge 25, serving as catch element 25, so as to yield a bead connection providing a pivotable connection between frame 9 and top construction 10. Said top construction 10 may subsequently be rotated around said bead connection in the direction of arrow 27 as shown in Fig. 6.

[0031] In Fig. 6 it has further been shown that a recess 28 has been provided in a down most support base 23 of top construction 10 for receiving a ridge 29 that has been provided at an down most beam 18. These together provide an alignment provision for frame 9 and top construction 10. This has been shown in more detail in Fig. 9, whereas a weir 31 at bottom part of dormer 1 has been shown as well.

[0032] Fig. 7 shows a detailed schematic side view of part of the dormer 1. The roof surface 30 slopes somewhat towards gutter 14 through which rain water is drained from roof surface 30 into gutter 14. It will then reach the regular roof cladding 13 provided at the sides 2, 3 of dormer 1 on the sloping roof construction 8, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0033] Fig. 8 further shows a side beam 16 of frame 9 and a side panel 32 of top construction 10, comprising a beam or plate shaped element 10 comprising a connection plate of nail strip 37 connected thereto. Said side panel 32 comprises a U-shaped recess 33 at the part supported by the beam 16, such that the legs of said U-shape are made up of the nail strip 37 and trim 37. Such provides protection against moisture and wind from penetrating. Part of the recess 33 not received by said side beam 16 provides for ventilation. On the support plane between panel 32 and beam 16 a compressible material has been provided that yields an excellent seal. Nail strip 37 abuts side beam 16 of frame 9. For example, a screw or nail connection may be provided at position 34 for mutually connecting frame 9 and top construction 10. In a similar way, a nail strip 36 is provided at side beam 16 of frame 9, abutting spar 35 being part of the sloping roof construction. Said nail strip 36 may be connected to spar 35 by means of a nail or screw connection. A combined connection of frame 9 to spar 35 and top construction 10 provides for a stable connection of said dormer to the sloping roof construction.

[0034] The invention is not limited to the embodiments as mentioned before and as shown in the drawing. The invention is limited only by the appending claims.

[0035] The invention also embodies any combination of measures and features that have been described independently of each other.

Claims

1. A dormer, comprising a frame to be connected to a sloping roof construction and a top construction to be coupled to said frame, said frame comprising a catch element near a, during use, uppermost position for cooperation with a gripping element of said top construction, such that mutually assembling said gripping element and said catch element provides a pivotable coupling of said frame and said top construction.

2. A dormer according to claim 1, said frame comprising a substantially horizontally extending frame beam near an uppermost position, comprising at a position directed away from said opening a ridge facing away from said frame beam for insertion into a recess provided by said gripping element.

3. A dormer according to claim 1 or 2, said frame comprising a box construction around said opening.

4. A dormer according to claim 1, 2 or 3, said gripping element and said catch element provide a bead connection.

5. A dormer according to claim 2, said catch element being provided near an, during use, uppermost position of said frame beam.

6. A dormer according to claim 2, wherein an end of the ridge facing away from the frame beam is directed downwards during use.

7. A dormer according to any of the preceding claims, said frame comprising a bearing surface and the top construction comprising a support base to be positioned on said bearing surface.

8. A dormer according to claim 7, said top construction comprising a U-shaped element at a side that is directed downwards during use, for receiving said frame's bearing surface.

9. A dormer according to any of the preceding claims, the catch element and the gripping element extending over substantially the complete width of said dormer.

10. A dormer according to any of the preceding claims, said dormer comprising at all outer sides a weir cooperating with the roof's roof cladding.

11. A dormer according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the roof of said top construction declines towards an uppermost position of said frame and said frame comprises an integrated rainwater drainage for draining any rainwater from said sloping roof construction and from said dormer's roof.

12. A dormer according to claim 7, said top construction comprising near said support base a compressible material for providing a wind seal, preferably comprised of a rubber material.

13. A dormer according to any of the preceding claims, said top construction substantially comprising a prefab construction.

14. A method for positioning a dormer according to any of the preceding claims on a sloping roof construction, said method comprising at least the steps of:

- providing a cutout in a sloping roof construction,

- connecting the frame at edges of said cutout, such that a catch element being provided near an uppermost position of said frame,

- positioning a gripping element of said top construction around said catch element, such that the support base of said top construction is positioned at a distance from the frame's bearing surface, and

- rotating said top construction around said catch element, so as to have the support base of said top construction bear on the frame's bearing surface.

15. A method according to claim 14, said top construction being hoisted in a position so as to abut against said frame.

Drawing