BAY WINDOW SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING A BAY WINDOW SYSTEM

Abstract

 Bay window system (1) for installation in an opening (22) in a wall (2) of a building (3), comprising:
- a floor element (5);
- a roof element (7);
- one or more wall elements (6) extending between the former;
- and two structural securing brackets (8, 9) which are provided on either side of the opening (22) for attachment to the building (3) and which each
o comprise a structural floor body (11) to which the floor element (5) is secured and which is configured to at least partly project from the wall (2) in the fitted position;
o comprise a structural roof body (12) to which the roof element (7) is secured and which is configured to at least partly project from the wall (2) in the fitted position;
o and comprises a structural base body (10) which connects the floor body (11) and the roof body (12) to each other.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a bay window system for installation in an opening in a wall of a building, in order to form a bay window which projects from the wall, comprising:

• a floor element;
• a roof element;
• one or more wall elements extending between the floor element and the roof element;
• securing means for securing the bay window system to the building.

[0002] In practice, such bay windows are constructed on site. Typically, anchors are in this case provided at the bottom of the opening on the wall which support a floor plate or are accommodated in this floor plate. Subsequently, one or more upright wall elements are erected on top of the floor plate. At the top of the one or more wall elements, the roof element is then fitted.
In this case, such bay windows may have all kinds of forms.
In a simple embodiment, this may be a set of windows which project slightly from the wall. Typically, such a bay window will project slightly further from the wall, so that one or more individuals can at least partly take a seat on the floor element.
In the case of a bow window, one single wall element may be sufficient. Often, such bay windows are designed to have polygonal floor plans, in which case several wall elements are consequently provided.

[0003] Various parts of such a bay window may be pre-fabricated, but in practice these still have to be assembled in situ and anchored to the building.

[0004] Therefore, producing such a bay window is therefore often a relatively laborious process.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a bay window system by means of which a bay window can be installed much more quickly at the construction site itself The complicated preparatory actions can be carried out in a workshop.

[0006] This object of the invention is achieved by providing a bay window system for installation in an opening in a wall of a building, in order to form a bay window which projects from the wall, comprising:

• a floor element;
• a roof element;
• one or more wall elements extending between the floor element and the roof element;
• securing means for securing the bay window system to the building;

wherein the securing means:

• comprise a first structural securing bracket which is provided on a first side of the opening for attachment to the building;
• and comprise a second structural securing bracket which is provided on a second side of the opening for attachment to the building;

wherein each securing bracket:

• comprises a structural floor body which is secured to the floor element and is configured to at least partly project from the wall in the fitted position;
• comprises a structural roof body to which the roof element is secured and which is configured to at least partly project from the wall in the fitted position;
• and comprises a structural base body which connects the structural floor body and the structural roof body to each other and at least partly extends into the opening in the fitted position.

[0007] Such a bay window system according to the invention can be entirely pre-fabricated, i.e. including the wall elements or infills, wherein a stable unit is achieved which is simple to lift as a unit and can thus be installed in the opening.

[0008] The securing brackets connect the floor element and the roof element and keep these stable with respect to each other.
The floor element is secured to the structural floor bodies in order to support this floor element. To this end, these structural floor bodies at least partly project from the wall on the side of the wall where the bay window projects or protrudes from this wall. In this case, these structural floor bodies at least partly protrude from the wall outwards. Any parts of the floor bodies which extend into the opening in the wall are not considered to be parts projecting from the wall.
The structural roof bodies are secured to the roof body in order to support this roof body. To this end, these structural roof bodies at least partly project from the wall on the side of the wall where the bay window projects or protrudes from this wall. In this case, these structural roof bodies at least partly protrude from the wall outwards. Any parts of the roof bodies which extend into the opening in the wall are not considered to be parts projecting from the wall.
Since the securing brackets form structural parts for attachment to the building, the wall elements may serve as only infill for the unit and thus have no structural function.
Due to the fact that the base body of each securing bracket connects the structural floor body and the structural roof body to each other and each securing bracket thus extends along virtually the height of the bay window, it is possible to transmit forces from the bay window on the building to the top side of this bay window.

[0009] Due to the structural roof body, such a bay window system can quickly be lifted from the top side as a unit. Thus, this bay window system can quickly be lifted from a lorry and be transported as far as the opening in order to be fitted to the building.
These structural roof bodies also make it possible to omit any structural elements, such as columns, in the bay window between the floor element and the roof element. Thus, the sides of such a bay window next to the opening may be filled with any material over 180°. Thus, for example, the wall elements may for example consist entirely of glazing, so that a 180° view of the outside space can be enjoyed from the opening.

[0010] By means of such structural roof bodies, it is also readily possible to provide the bay window with a roof element which can also pre-fabricated at the same time.
In order to secure the roof element to the structural roof body, it may be secured thereto, if desired. The structural roof body may also be anchored in this roof element.

[0011] In the fitted position, the base body may project as far from the wall as the floor body and/or as the base body. Preferably, however, the base body will not project as far from the wall as the floor body and the base body or not at all, so that - as has been mentioned above - the sides of the bay window next to the opening can be filled with any type of material. If glazing is provided, the base body will thus leave the visibility through this glazing unimpeded.

[0012] In order to secure the floor element to the structural floor body, it may be secured thereto, if desired. The structural floor body may also be anchored in this floor element.

[0013] The structural base body, the structural floor body and the structural base body may form separate parts of a securing bracket, but may equally well form part of a single-part securing bracket.

[0014] In addition to the said two structural securing brackets, a bay window system according to the present invention may, if desired, in principle also be provided with one or more securing brackets or another securing means, such as conventional restraints which are arranged between both said securing brackets and are secured to the building at the top and/or bottom of the opening. Preferably, however, only two structural securing brackets are provided, thus making simpler installation possible. In addition, it is less easy to incorporate such additional securing brackets in an aesthetic manner if a quick installation is a priority.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the bay window system is designed so as to be free from structural elements between the floor element, the roof element and the securing brackets.
Additional securing means may optionally be used in order to prevent small movements between the bay window and the wall.

[0016] One said roof body is preferably embodied with a first portion which is secured to the base body and with a leg which forms a structural part of the roof body projecting from the base body. The leg of such a roof body is then preferably arranged at an angle to the base body. In a specific embodiment, the roof body comprises a first leg as a first portion and the second leg, which has already been mentioned and projects at least partly from the base body, is preferably arranged at an angle to this first leg. Such a roof body may to this end be embodied, for example, as a substantially L-shaped bracket.

[0017] The floor body is likewise preferably embodied with a first portion which is secured to the base body and with a leg which forms a structural part of the floor body projecting from the base body. The leg of such a floor body is then preferably arranged at an angle to the base body. In a specific embodiment, the floor body comprises a first leg as a first portion and the second leg, which has already been mentioned and projects at least partly from the base body, is preferably arranged at an angle to this second leg. Such a floor body may to this end be embodied, for example, as a substantially L-shaped bracket.

[0018] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the base body of each securing bracket is substantially plate-shaped.
A building façade as a wall is typically constructed with insulation on the outside of the structural part of this wall and a coating layer on the outside of this insulation.
A plate-shaped base body which extends over virtually the height of the corresponding wall element is configured to be thin and deep, as a result of which the required stiffness with a limited thickness is achieved in order to keep the roof body secured to the floor body. In the fitted position, the largest surface of this base body then extends at right angles to the wall. In this way, there is more space next to the base body for attaching insulation of the wall of the building to the wall elements of the bay window. These wall elements of the bay window may also be assigned an insulating function. In this way, thermal bridges may be prevented.
By means of such a plate-shaped base body, the bridging between the bay window and structural elements of the wall of the building itself can also be made simpler.
Such a plate-shaped base body may be embodied as a single part, but may also be embodied as multiple parts, in which case this base body may, for example, also be designed as several layers, in which case one or more of these layers may, for example, also have an insulating function.

[0019] An aforementioned roof body is preferably also designed to be plate-shaped in order to prevent thermal bridges as well as possible.

[0020] The thickness of the roof body is preferably selected to be thicker than the thickness of the plate-shaped base body. By making the roof body thicker than the plate-shaped base body, it is possible to minimize the height of the projecting part of the roof body which is required in order to achieve of the required transmission of forces and to prevent thermal bridges.

[0021] The floor body is preferably also plate-shaped in order to prevent thermal bridges as well as possible.

[0022] The thickness of the floor body is also preferably designed to be thicker than the thickness of the plate-shaped base body. By also making the floor body thicker than the plate-shaped base body, it is possible to minimize the height of the projecting part of the floor body which is required in order to achieve the required transmission of forces still further and to prevent thermal bridges.

[0023] In order to provide the securing brackets so as to be fittable to the building, these are preferably provided at the highest possible position away from the floor element for attachment to the building. To this end, the roof body and/or the base body is preferably provided for attachment to the building.
For the sake of ease of installation, the roof body and/or the base body may in this case be provided with a hook element, for example, spaced apart from the floor element. In this way, the securing brackets may quickly be secured during installation, for example to an anchor which is provided in the opening of the building to this end.
Alternatively or additionally, the roof body and/or the base body may, for example, be provided with adjustable securing means for securing the respective securing bracket to the building.
Preferably, in the fitted position, the bottom of the floor body and/or the base body rests on structural parts of the building, while the top of the roof body and/or the base body is secured to structural parts of the building.

[0024] With a bay window system according to the present invention, each securing bracket is preferably arranged on the side of the corresponding upright wall element, towards the inside of the bay window. This makes it simpler, for example, to simply arrange insulating material for the wall of the building and insulating parts of the wall elements in a continuous and adjoining manner.

[0025] Furthermore, each securing bracket preferably forms a vapour barrier in the fitted position.

[0026] To this end, the securing brackets may, more specifically, be made for example from galvanized steel.

[0027] In a specific embodiment, the roof body of each securing bracket is provided with a bay window system according to the present invention in order to serve as a support for an additional bay window system which is attachable on top of the first-mentioned bay window system, wherein the roof element of the first-mentioned bay window system is configured to serve as a floor part of the additional bay window system.

[0028] The object of the present invention is furthermore also achieved by providing an assembly of a building and a bay window system according to the present invention as described above.

[0029] In a specific embodiment, such an assembly comprises a bay window system according to the present invention and an additional bay window system which is installed on top of the first-mentioned bay window system, so that the roof body of each securing bracket of the first-mentioned bay window system serves as support for the additional bay window system and the roof element of the first-mentioned bay window system serves as a floor part of the additional bay window system.

[0030] In addition, the object of the present invention is also achieved by providing a method for fitting a bay window system according to the present invention in an opening in a wall of a building, wherein the bay window system is lifted by the securing brackets at the top by means of hoisting means and is lifted so as to be in front of the opening and is then secured to the building.

[0031] The present invention will now be described in more detail by means of the following detailed description of a preferred bay window system according to the present invention. The sole aim of this description is to give illustrative examples and to indicate further advantages and features of this bay window system and can thus by no means be interpreted as a limitation of the area of application of the invention or of the patent rights defined in the claims.

[0032] In this detailed description, reference numerals are used to refer to the appended drawings, in which:

• Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows how a bay window system according to the present invention, which is shown in perspective in this figure, with wall elements shown diagrammatically in dashed lines, can be lifted from a lorry by means of a crane;
• Fig. 2 diagrammatically shows how the bay window system from Fig. 1 can be lifted so as to be in front of an opening in the façade of a building;
• Figs. 3 to 6 show the bay window system from Fig. 1 in perspective, wherein additional wall elements are in each case placed between the floor element and the roof element;
• Fig. 7 shows a cross section of the bay window system from Fig. 1, in the fitted position in the wall of the building;
• Fig. 8 shows a part of the cross section from Fig. 7 in greater detail at the location of one of the securing brackets;
• Fig. 9 shows a securing bracket of the bay window system from Fig. 1 separately and in side view;
• Fig. 10 diagrammatically shows several bay window systems which are fitted one above the other.

[0033] The illustrated bay window system (1) comprises a floor element (5), a roof element (7), various wall elements (6) and two securing brackets (8, 9) for securing this bay window system (1) in an opening (22) in a wall (2) of a building (3).

[0034] In Fig. 1, this bay window system (1) is lifted from a lorry (20) by its top side by means of a crane (21). In Fig. 2, this bay window system (1) is then transported so as to be in front of an opening (22) in the wall (2) of the building (3) by means of this crane (21) which is no longer shown. This building (3) is provided with a load-bearing floor (4), with the opening (22) being provided just above this load-bearing floor (4). One end of this load-bearing floor (4) stops in the opening (22).

[0035] The bay window system (1) is secured to a first side of the opening (22) by means of a first securing bracket (8). The bay window system (1) is secured to a second side of the opening (22) by means of a second securing bracket (9). In this case, the securing brackets (8, 9), at a first point (A) which is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 9, rest on a supporting edge of the load-bearing floor (4) which reaches as far as into the opening (22). To this end, the securing brackets (8, 9) may be anchored to this edge of the load-bearing floor (4) in a manner known in the construction sector. The opening (22) could equally well be arranged slightly above the load-bearing floor (4), in which case a supporting upright elevation is provided on this load-bearing floor (4) at the height of the wall (2), to which the securing brackets (8, 9) can be secured. At a second point (B, B'), which is also shown diagrammatically in Fig. 9, these securing brackets (8, 9) are secured to structural parts (24) of the wall (2). To this end, anchors or other securing means may be provided in the structural parts (24) of the wall (2) or on structural parts of the building (3) adjacent to the opening (22) in a manner known in the construction sector.

[0036] Each securing bracket (8, 9) is composed of a structural base body (10), a structural floor body (11) and a structural roof body (12) (see Fig. 9).

[0037] The illustrated structural base body (10) is plate-shaped and extends virtually over the height of the wall elements (6). In the pre-fitted position, this structural base body (10) is already secured to the adjacent wall element (6). This structural attachment body (10) is provided with a hook element (19) by means of which it can be secured to the structural parts (24) of the wall (2) in said second point (B), in order to install the bay window system (1) in the opening (22). This hook element (19) could also be secured to other structural parts of the building (3) which are adjacent to the opening (22). Alternatively or additionally, the roof body (12) may be secured to the wall (2) or other structural parts of the building (3) which are adjacent to the opening (22) in a said second point (B').

[0038] The illustrated structural floor body (11) is substantially L-shaped. A first leg (13) of this floor body (11) is secured to the base body (10). A second leg (14) partly projects from the base body (10). The second leg (14) is secured to the floor element (5). In the fitted position, the projecting part (15) of this second leg (14) projects from the building (3).

[0039] The illustrated structural roof body (12) is also substantially L-shaped. A first leg (16) of this roof body (12) is secured to the base body (10). A second leg (17) projects fully from the base body (10). This second leg (17) is secured to the roof element (7). In the fitted position, the projecting part (18) also projects from the building (3).

[0040] The base body (10) is in each case thinner than the corresponding floor body (11) and also thinner than the corresponding roof body (12). In this way, the height of the projecting parts (15, 18) of the floor body (11) and the roof body (12) in order to allow the securing brackets (8, 9) to transmit the required forces to the building (3) can be minimized. The securing brackets (8, 9) are substantially plate-shaped and are arranged towards the inside of the bay window on the side of the wall elements (6). In this way, it is possible to allow insulation (25) for the wall (2) of the building (3) to adjoin the wall elements (6), as can be seen in Figs. 7 and 8. In this case, the base body (10) is designed to bridge the cavity. The base body (10) of the securing brackets (8, 9) may serve as a vapour barrier by making this base body (10) from a material which is suitable for the purpose, such as for example galvanized steel. In addition, the securing brackets (8, 9) can thus easily bridge the finishing layer (26) and the insulating layer (25) of the wall (2) and be secured to the structural part (24) of the wall (2).

[0041] Between the securing brackets (8, 9), the floor element (5) and the roof element (7), the bay window system (1) is free from structural elements. The securing brackets (8, 9) are secured to window profiles (23) which are provided for holding, for example, glass. In addition, the wall elements (6) may be designed to be completely glazed, as can be seen in Figs. 3 to 6. Of course, it is also possible to make these wall elements (6), at least partly, from other materials. Filling the wall elements (6), as can be seen in Figs. 3 to 6, is preferably carried out beforehand in a workshop and not at the construction site of the building (3) itself. The securing brackets (8, 9) make it possible to place the wall elements (6) in a pre-fabricated bay window before transportation takes place.

[0042] Fig. 10 diagrammatically shows how it is also possible to secure several bay window systems (1, 29) on top of each other, wherein in each case the roof element (7) of a bay window system (1) situated underneath may serve as the floor part (27) of a bay window system (29) situated above. This floor part (27) may be provided with additional floor covering (28). The roof body (12) of every securing bracket (8, 9) which is situated underneath may serve as a support for the bay window system (29) situated above. The entire unit can be lifted by means of hoisting means (21).

Claims

1. Bay window system (1) for installation in an opening (22) in a wall (2) of a building (3), in order to form a bay window which projects from the wall (2), comprising:

- a floor element (5);

- a roof element (7);

- one or more wall elements (6) extending between the floor element (5) and the roof element (7);

- securing means (8, 9) for securing the bay window system (1) to the building (3);

characterized in that the securing means (8, 9):

- comprise a first structural securing bracket (8) which is provided on a first side of the opening (22) for attachment to the building (3);

- and comprise a second structural securing bracket (9) which is provided on a second side of the opening (22) for attachment to the building (3);

wherein each securing bracket (8, 9):

- comprises a structural floor body (11) to which the floor element (5) is secured and which is configured to at least partly project from the wall (2) in the fitted position;

- comprises a structural roof body (12) to which the roof element (7) is secured and which is configured to at least partly project from the wall (2) in the fitted position;

- and comprises a structural base body (10) which connects the structural floor body (11) and the structural roof body (12) to each other and at least partly extends into the opening (22) in the fitted position.

2. Bay window system (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bay window system is free from structural elements between the floor element (5), the roof element (7) and the securing brackets (8).

3. Bay window system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roof body (12) comprises a first leg (16) which is secured to the base body (10) and comprises a second leg (17) which forms a structural part (18) of the roof body (7) which projects from the base body (10).

4. Bay window system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor body (11) comprises a first leg (13) which is secured to the base body (10) and comprises a second leg (14) which forms a structural part (15) of the roof body (7) which projects from the base body (10).

5. Bay window system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (10) of each securing bracket (8, 9) is substantially plate-shaped.

6. Bay window system (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the thickness of the roof body (12) is thicker than the thickness of the plate-shaped base body (10).

7. Bay window system (1) according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the thickness of the floor body (11) is thicker than the thickness of the plate-shaped base body (10).

8. Bay window system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roof body (12) and/or the base body (10) is provided for attachment to the building (3).

9. Bay window system (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the base body (10) is provided with a hook element (19), spaced apart from the floor element (5), for securing the base body (10) to the building (3).

10. Bay window system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each securing bracket (8, 9) is arranged on the side of the corresponding upright wall element (6), towards the inside of the bay window.

11. Bay window system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each securing bracket (8, 9) forms a vapour barrier in the fitted position.

12. Bay window system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roof body (12) of each securing bracket (8, 9) is provided to serve as a support for an additional bay window system (29) which is attachable on top of the first-mentioned bay window system (1), wherein the roof element (7) of the first-mentioned bay window system (1) is configured to serve as a floor part (27) of the additional bay window system (29).

13. Assembly of a building (3) and a bay window system (1), characterized in that the bay window system (1) is a bay window system (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

14. Assembly according to Claim 13, characterized in that the assembly comprises a bay window system (1) according to Claim 12, and an additional bay window system (29) which is fitted on top of the first-mentioned bay window system (1), so that the roof body (12) of each securing bracket (8, 9) of the first-mentioned bay window system (1) serves as a support for the additional bay window system (1) and the roof element (7) of the first-mentioned bay window system (1) serves as a floor part (27) of the similar bay window system (29).

15. Method for installing a bay window system (1) in an opening (22) in a wall (2) of a building (3), characterized in that the bay window system (1) is a bay window system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in that the bay window system (1) is lifted by the securing brackets (8, 9) at the top by means of hoisting means (21) and is lifted so as to be in front of the opening (22), and in that the bay window system (1) is then secured to the building (3).

Drawing