Assembly of a frame with sliding panel and an adjusting device for adjusting the sliding panel

Abstract

 The invention relates to an assembly of a frame with a sliding panel, in particular a sliding window, arranged slidably therein and an adjusting device for adjusting the sliding panel between an open position and a closed position, wherein the sliding panel comprises jambs (24, 26) in which a rebate (32) is arranged, the adjusting device comprising at least one drive member (62, 72, 76) which is connected drivably to at least two spindles arranged in the rebates, wherein the sliding panel with carriers (40, 50) is coupled to the spindles and is adjustable between the open and the closed position by driving the spindles with the drive member, and wherein the left-hand spindle (42) arranged in the rebate of the left-hand jamb (24) and the right-hand spindle (52) arranged in the rebate of the right-hand jamb (26) are provided with an opposite screw thread.
The invention further relates to a method for providing such an assembly by arranging such an adjusting device in an existing frame.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly of a frame with sliding panel, in particular a sliding window, and an adjusting device for adjusting the sliding panel.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for providing such an assembly by arranging such an adjusting device in a frame.

[0003] Opening a sliding panel such as a sliding window can sometimes be physically demanding. This is particularly the case with a large sliding window and/or when it is impossible to get close to the sliding window, for instance because of a wide windowsill. It is also possible to envisage a sliding window being difficult to access physically, for instance because it is placed very high.

[0004] In the above situations, or simply with a view to enhancing comfort, it may be desirable to provide the sliding window with drive means, such as for instance an electric motor.

[0005] The American patent application US-A-1, 966, 815 discloses an assembly of a frame with a sliding panel, in particular a sliding window, arranged slidably therein and an adjusting device for adjusting the sliding panel between an open position and a closed position, wherein the sliding panel comprises jambs in which a rebate is arranged, and the adjusting device comprises at least one drive member which is connected drivably to at least two spindles arranged in the rebates, wherein the sliding panel with carriers is coupled to the spindles and is adjustable between the open and the closed position by driving the spindles with the drive member. In order to ensure that two associated spindles arranged in opposite rebates rotate uniformly and in the same rotation direction in order to thereby enable displacement of a sliding window, a bulky gearcase is provided. The assembly of US-A-1, 966, 815 is hereby suitable only for application in new buildings, where the space necessary for the assembly is already taken into account during construction.

[0006] While it is possible in newly built houses to take into account the space required for building in such drive means at the time of construction, this is no longer possible in existing buildings. During the renovation of old buildings changes to the exterior appearance are moreover often not allowed.

[0007] The invention now has for its object to provide an assembly of a frame with sliding panel and an adjusting device for adjusting the sliding panel of the above described type wherein said drawbacks do not occur, or at least do so to lesser extent. Proposed in particular is an assembly which is also suitable for arranging in existing buildings, so that the invention is suitable for application both in newly built houses and in existing buildings, including listed buildings.

[0008] Said object is achieved with the assembly of a frame with a sliding panel, in particular a sliding window, arranged slidably therein and an adjusting device for adjusting the sliding panel according to the invention between an open position and a closed position;

• wherein the sliding panel comprises jambs in which a rebate is arranged; and
• the adjusting device comprising at least one drive member which is connected drivably to at least two spindles arranged in the rebates, wherein the sliding panel with carriers is coupled to the spindles and is adjustable between the open and closed position by driving the spindles with the drive member;
• wherein the left-hand spindle arranged in the rebate of the left-hand jamb and the right-hand spindle arranged in the rebate of the right-hand jamb are provided with an opposite screw thread.

[0009] Because the spindles are received in rebates arranged in the jambs, they can also be applied in existing buildings. The space required for the spindles can be obtained in the already existing jambs by milling a rebate therein. The spindles are moreover concealed from view, whereby this construction is also suitable for renovation of old buildings wherein the external appearance of the building has to remain unchanged.

[0010] The sliding panel is displaced uniformly by applying a spindle at both opposite jambs of the sliding panel. Misalignment of the panel, which could result in it running out of square, is thus prevented.

[0011] The sliding panel will generally be a sliding window, although the invention is not limited thereto. The terms (sliding) panel and (sliding) window will both be used hereinbelow without precluding the other application. The two are wholly interchangeable in the context of the invention.

[0012] Because the left-hand spindle arranged in the rebate of the left-hand jamb and the right-hand spindle arranged in the rebate of the right-hand jamb are provided with an opposite screw thread, it is possible to apply only one drive means, for instance one electric motor, which drives both spindles. An extra transmission which reverses the rotation direction of one of the two spindles is unnecessary when the screw threads are in opposite directions. One spindle therefore has a left-handed thread and the other spindle a right-handed thread. This creates a compact construction which is also suitable for building into existing buildings. A solution which can be applied and is aesthetically attractive and which provides the users with the comfort of an electrically controllable sliding window is provided even for listed buildings.

[0013] In order to shorten the time required for opening and closing the sliding panel, screw thread with a larger pitch can be applied. The drawback of a larger pitch is however that more force will be required to adjust the sliding panel. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, a larger pitch is combined with a multiple-start screw thread so that sufficient force transfer remains guaranteed on the one hand and the time required for adjusting the sliding panel is reduced on the other.

[0014] When the rebate is arranged in a jamb of an existing sliding window, for instance of a listed building, the jamb will be weakened. In a further preferred embodiment a strengthening profile is arranged in the rebates arranged in the jambs of the sliding panel in order to compensate this weakening.

[0015] Arranged according to a further preferred embodiment between the jambs of the sliding panel and a window frame rebate are guide means which prevent the sliding panel becoming misaligned and skewing in the frame.

[0016] Because according to a further preferred embodiment the guide means comprise brushes, a good guiding characteristic is combined with a dust and draught seal.

[0017] A robust embodiment is obtained when the brushes functioning as guide means are arranged on the strengthening profile.

[0018] If desired, one or more rubber guide profiles can be further arranged in the frame rebates as additional seal.

[0019] The strengthening profile is preferably manufactured from metal, in particular aluminium.

[0020] According to a further preferred embodiment, the drive of the adjusting device is an electric motor. This electric motor can on the one hand be operated with a switch, although an embodiment enhancing comfort is obtained when the motor comprises a control unit with a receiver whereby the motor is controllable via a remote control.

[0021] According to yet another preferred embodiment, the electric motor of the adjusting device is connected to a control unit of a domotic system and is controllable thereby. A domotic system is a system of technical provisions, such as telecommunication means and computers, which automate household tasks.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment, the drive of the adjusting device is a pull member such as a belt, a cord or a chain.

[0023] According to yet another preferred embodiment, the drive of the adjusting device is a crank handle.

[0024] The invention further relates to an adjusting device as described above.

[0025] The invention further relates to a method for providing an assembly of a frame with a sliding panel, in particular a sliding window, arranged slidably therein, and an adjusting device for adjusting the sliding panel between an open position and a closed position, the method comprising at least the step of arranging in the jambs of the sliding panel a rebate in which spindles can be received, and arranging an adjusting device as described above.

[0026] According to a further preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of arranging a strengthening profile in the rebate.

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are further elucidated in the following description with reference to the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows a frame with a sliding window in which an adjusting device according to the invention can be applied;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the window construction shown in figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the adjusting device according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a window construction 1 wherein a window frame 2 comprises a left-hand frame jamb 4, a right-hand frame jamb 6, a window frame ground sill 8 and a window frame head rail 10.

[0028] A fixed window 12 is received in window frame 2. This fixed window 12 comprises a left-hand fixed window jamb 14, a right-hand fixed window jamb 16, a fixed window ground sill and a fixed window head rail 20.

[0029] Further received in window frame 2 is a sliding window 22 comprising a left-hand sliding window jamb 24, a right-hand sliding window jamb 26, a sliding window ground sill 28 and a sliding window head rail 30.

[0030] The right-hand frame jamb 6 figure 1 is shown in detail in the cross-sectional view of figure 2. The design is similar, though mirrored, for the left-hand frame jamb 4.

[0031] The right-hand frame jamb 6 has a right-hand window frame rebate 7 to which the right-hand fixed window jamb 16 of fixed window 12 is attached in fixed manner, for instance using an adhesive.

[0032] Sliding window 22 comprises in both jambs 24, 26 a rebate 32 which provides a space in which spindle 52 can be received such that on the one hand it has enough room and on the other is at least largely concealed from view. The outward appearance of a building remains unchanged when an existing building is provided with an adjusting device according to the invention.

[0033] In order to prevent the arrangement of a rebate 32 in a jamb 24, 26 resulting in a weakening of jamb 24, 26, a strengthening profile 34 is preferably arranged in rebate 32. This strengthening profile is preferably manufactured from aluminium, which is relatively light in weight and corrosion-resistant.

[0034] Bending the strengthening profile round the outer edge of jambs 24, 26 creates a part in which brushes 36 can be arranged. These brushes 36 function as guide for sliding window 22 when it is moved up and downward between its closed and open position. In addition to this guiding function, brushes 36 also provide an effective dust-proofing and draught exclusion.

[0035] Although it is possible to envisage the adjusting device as shown in figure 3 being provided with one or more drives simultaneously, this will generally not be the case. Figure 3 indicates which different drives can be envisaged, such as an electric motor 62, a pull member 72 in the form of a pull belt, and a crank handle 76.

[0036] Electric motor 62 can be connected via an electrical cable 66 to an electric switch 64, although it is also possible to envisage it being connected via a receiver 70 to a remote control 68. When motor 62 is driven, the lying drive rod 38 will rotate and this rotation will be converted in the left-hand gearcase 46 to a rotation of the left-hand spindle drive rod 44 which drives the left-hand spindle 42. When spindle 42 rotates, a carrier 40 arranged around spindle 42 and provided with an internal screw thread engaging on the screw thread of spindle 42 is displaced in height direction. Because carrier 40 is mounted on the left-hand sliding window jamb 24 of sliding window 22, this carrier 40 will also displace sliding window 22. Spindle 42 is provided on the underside with a bearing 48 arranged in the window frame ground sill 8.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, electric motor 62 is connected via receiver 70 to a domotic system.

[0038] In similar manner the driven motor 62 will displace the right-hand sliding window jamb 26 of sliding window 22 via right-hand gearcase 56, right-hand spindle drive rod 54, right-hand spindle 52 and right-hand carrier 50.

[0039] By embodying left-hand spindle 42 and right-hand spindle 52 with an opposite screw thread, the left-hand spindle 42 with for instance a left-handed thread and right-hand spindle 52 with a right-handed thread or vice versa, a single motor 60 can be employed for the purpose of driving both spindles. Additional rotation-reversing intermediate casings which require space and can collapse are unnecessary. The space available can be very limited, particularly in listed buildings.

[0040] Pull belt 72 provides an alternative drive which is connected via a pull belt drive rod 74 to the above described system. In similar manner a crank handle 76 can be connected via a first handle drive rod 78, a second handle drive rod 80 and a gearcase 82 to the above described system.

[0041] Motor 60 can if desired be omitted in an embodiment with a pull belt 72 or a crank handle 76. In that case the lying drive rod 38 is given a longer form and it will mutually connect left-hand gearcase 46 and right-hand gearcase 56.

[0042] Although they show preferred embodiments of the invention, the above described embodiments are intended solely for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and not to limit the scope of the invention in any way. In the shown embodiment the sliding window opens in upward direction, although the invention is likewise suitable for sliding windows which open in downward direction. The invention can further be applied to sliding panels which slide in lateral direction between a closed and open position. It is also noted that the placing of the drive means, such as electric motor 62, is not limited to the shown position. Electric motor 62 can alternatively be accommodated for instance in the ground sill 8 or in one of the side frame jambs 4, 6.

[0043] It is particularly noted that the skilled person can combine technical measures of the different embodiments.

[0044] When measures in the claims are followed by reference numerals, such reference numerals serve only to contribute toward understanding of the claims, but are in no way limitative of the scope of protection. The rights described are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims

1. Assembly of a frame with a sliding panel, in particular a sliding window, arranged slidably therein and an adjusting device for adjusting the sliding panel (22) between an open position and a closed position;

- wherein the sliding panel comprises jambs (24, 26) in which a rebate (32) is arranged; and

- the adjusting device comprising at least one drive member (62, 72, 76) which is connected drivably to at least two spindles (42, 52) arranged in the rebates (32), wherein the sliding panel with carriers (40, 50) is coupled to the spindles (42, 52) and is adjustable between the open and the closed position by driving the spindles with the drive member;

characterized in that the left-hand spindle (42) arranged in the rebate (32) of the left-hand jamb (24) and the right-hand spindle (52) arranged in the rebate (32) of the right-hand jamb (26) are provided with an opposite screw thread.

2. Assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spindles are provided with a multiple-start screw thread.

3. Assembly as claimed in either of the foregoing claims, wherein a strengthening profile (34) is arranged in the rebates (32) arranged in the jambs (24, 26) of the sliding panel (22).

4. Assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein guide means (36) are arranged between the jambs (24, 26) of the sliding panel (22) and a window frame rebate.

5. Assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the guide means comprise brushes.

6. Assembly as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the guide means (36) comprise brushes arranged on the strengthening profile (34).

7. Assembly as claimed in any of the claims 3-6, wherein the strengthening profile is manufactured from metal.

8. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the drive of the adjusting device is an electric motor.

9. Assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the electric motor of the adjusting device is connected to a control unit of a domotic system and is controllable thereby.

10. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the drive of the adjusting device is a pull member.

11. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the drive of the adjusting device is a crank handle.

12. Adjusting device evidently intended for the assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims.

13. Method for providing an assembly of a frame with a sliding panel, in particular a sliding window, arranged slidably therein, and an adjusting device for adjusting the sliding panel (22) between an open position and a closed position, the method comprising at least the step of arranging in the jambs (24, 26) of the sliding panel (22) a rebate (32) in which spindles (42, 52) can be received, and arranging an adjusting device as claimed in any of the claims 1-11.

14. Method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising the step of arranging a strengthening profile (34) in the rebate (32).

Drawing