Field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to a window pane frame combination comprising at least two
parallel window panes spaced from each other, as well as a frame present along the
periphery of the window panes, which frame forms a whole in combination with the window
panes, which window panes comprise each one or more glass sheets and an air space
is situated in between the window panes, which frame is constituted by a profile part
of which is situated in between the window panes and forms a chamber which comprises
an inner wall bounding on the air space and having openings, as well as two sidewalls
facing the window panes, which chamber is at least partly open on the side opposite
to the inner wall and is closed by means of a vapour barrier, where a dehydrating
agent is present in the chamber and where a vapour barrier is present between the
peripheral side of the window panes and the frame, and where a bonding layer is present
between the side walls of the chamber and the window panes by means of which bonding
layer the window panes are sealed to the frame and are rigidly positioned relative
to the frame. A dehydrating agent (for example silica gel) is introduced in the air
space between the window panes so as to condition this air space.
State of the art
[0002] A window pane frame combination of this type is known from
EP-A-1 052 362. In this known window pane frame combination the frame is assembled from four frame
segments which each form one side of the frame and are connected together. The frame
segments are extruded sections which are connected together after which the window
panes are bonded to them. The window panes then add to the rigidity of the construction.
Extruded sections are generally relatively hard to connect together and are generally
made of expensive materials.
Summary of the invention
[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide a window pane frame combination of the
type defined in the opening paragraph, which can both be manufactured both in a simpler
and more cost-effective manner and is more rigid than the known window pane frame
combination. For this purpose, the window pane frame combination according to the
invention is
characterized in that the frame is comprised of a single segment. By bonding the window panes to a frame
made of one segment, a rigid, self-supporting construction is obtained which can furthermore
be manufactured in a simple and cost-effective manner. In this way the frame with
the insulation panes forms a constructive whole that is more rigid than that of the
known window pane frame combination in which extruded sections are connected together
into an aggregate whole consisting of various segments and not consisting of one segment.
Extruded sections are made of a material that is hard to weld or cannot be welded
at all. If these extruded sections were still to be welded together, it would be a
more expensive manufacturing method than securing non-extruded sections together.
In addition, only more expensive materials (at any rate more expensive than steel)
can be extruded.
[0004] It is observed that from
DE-A-20 41 038 is known a window pane frame combination in which the frame consists of a segment
to which the window panes are bonded and a further segment which functions as a supporting
segment. This is contrasted with the window pane frame combination according to the
invention in which the carrying capacity is obtained from the combination of the frame
and the window panes installed in it.
[0005] It is further observed that in
US-A-2 173 649 a window pane frame combination is disclosed consisting of a frame with window panes
installed in it. The frame segments are here connected together by means of corner
pieces and are not fitted together into one aggregate part. The window panes are not
bonded to the frame either so that there is not mention of a strong, rigid structure.
As a result, this known window pane frame combination is considerably less rigid than
the combination according to the invention.
[0006] The frame may be made of a composite material. However, the frame is preferably comprised
of four steel profiles which are welded together into one whole. Steel is a relatively
cost-effective material which can be welded in a simple and cost-effective manner
and then forms a robust whole.
[0007] The profiles are preferably fold formed from strips or shaped according to an equivalent
technique. Fold forming is an industrial designing technique in the field of metal
working. During a fold forming operation plate material is converted from a two-dimensional
scale to a three-dimensional scale. Fold forming is effected by means of bending of
the plate material and is a relatively cost-effective shaping technique.
[0008] The window pane frame combination described above is pre-eminently suitable for manufacturing
fire-resistant constructions because the frame is extremely suitable for being made
of fire-resistant material like steel. For this reason, in an advantageous embodiment
the window panes are preferably fire-resistant window panes.
[0009] As a result of the bonding layer the window and frame assembly forms a more robust
whole than the known combination in which the window panes are not fixed relative
to the frame by means of bonding but by means of clamping via glazing beads. The bonding
layer in the combination according to the invention is constituted, for example, by
an adhesive layer that also seals hermetically. As a result, the window pane frame
combination according to the invention is more stable than the known combination.
[0010] The window pane frame combination according to the invention constitutes one constructive
whole, so that it can be installed straight into an opening in a wall and can be connected
to a rough buck secured to the wall or may form part of a window or door in which
case the window pane frame combination is arranged as a fixed or as a tilt-and-turn
window. Thanks to the self supporting construction of the window-pane frame combination,
a window frame customarily used in practice which accommodates window panes may be
omitted, so that the insulation value of the entire window, window pane or door is
high because the window pane segment has a higher insulation value than the window
frame segment.
[0011] The window panes may comprise single glass or double glass units where the glass
sheets may be comprised of a single glass sheet, layered glass, safety glass or fire-resistant
glass.
[0012] An embodiment of the window pane frame combination according to the invention is
characterized in that the frame is provided with means by which the frame can be mounted directly to a
window frame and is either or not turnable.
[0013] These means may be constituted by strips of the frame located on the rims of the
frame, which strips do not abut the window panes and function as connecting elements
by which the window pane frame combination can be mounted to a rough buck.
[0014] The means may also be constituted by an open, further chamber in the frame in which
hinges and locks can be positioned. The hinges and locks are thus not mounted to a
separate framework in which the window pane frame combination is installed, but directly
in the window pane frame combination.
[0015] A further embodiment of the window pane frame combination according to the invention
is
characterized in that the window pane frame combination comprises a third window pane and the frame comprises
a further segment that forms a further chamber.
[0016] The invention furthermore relates to a window and a door comprising a fixed or movable
frame, where a window pane frame combination according to the invention is located
in the frame.
[0017] The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a window pane frame combination
according to the invention, comprising the manufacture of a frame as well as bonding
the window panes to the frame during the manufacture of the frame or once the frame
has been manufactured. With regard to the method the invention is
characterized in that the frame is made of four frame segments which are fastened to each other to become
a whole. The frame segments are preferably welded together into a whole. Welding the
frame segments produces an extremely strong junction, so that the frame segments may
be regarded as one whole.
[0018] The frame segments are preferably fold formed from strips, preferably from steel
strips.
Brief description of the drawings
[0019] The invention will be described hereinbelow in more detail based on examples of embodiment
of the window pane frame combination according to the invention represented in the
drawing figures, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the window pane frame combination according to
the invention used in a casement window or door;
Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the window pane frame combination according to
the invention used in a fixed window or door;
Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of the window pane frame combination according to
the invention used in a glassless window (rough buck) as a fixed or turnable part;
and
Fig. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the window pane frame combination according to
the invention shaped like a fire-resistant structure used in a glassless window (rough
buck) as a fixed or turnable part.
Detailed description of the drawings.
[0020] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the window pane frame combination according to
the invention. The window pane frame combination 1 can turn in a frame 3 provided
with a rigidizing steel sleeve 5. The frame 3 is fixed to a rough buck 7 which forms
the boundary of a construction present in a wall. The window pane frame combination
1 has two conventional double glazed insulation window panes 9. The insulation window
pane 9 per se is constituted by the glass sheets 11 with the sleeve-shaped spacers
13 in between which are filled with a dehydrant agent (for example silica gel), while
the air space in between the spacers 13 and the periphery of the glass sheets 11 is
filled with kit 14. The air space between insulation window panes 9 and the frame
17 along the periphery is sealed with a further kit layer 15.
[0021] The two insulation window panes 9 are retained by a frame 17 in parallel with each
other and spaced apart. This frame forms a framework within which the window panes
9 are located and is constituted by a steel profile forming a whole, part of which
is located in between the window panes and forms an open chamber 19. This chamber
functions as a spacer between the window panes and has an inner wall 21 adjacent to
the air space and provided with openings, as well as two side walls 23 facing the
window panes. The window panes 9 are attached to the side walls of the chamber by
means of a bonding layer 25. The bonding layer is a glue compound having strong adhesive
properties, so that the window pane is rigidly fixed to the frame and at the same
time forms a hermetic sealing. The frame is constituted by four straight profile segments
which are welded together with their ends into one aggregate unit.
[0022] The chamber 19 does not have a wall on the side opposite to the inner wall. On this
side the air space in the chamber is sealed by a further kit layer 27.The chamber
contains a dehydrant agent (for example silica gel) for rendering the air space 29
between the window panes 9 free from moist and maintaining it in this condition. This
air space 29 thus forms an extra insulation layer as a result of which the complete
window has a high insulation value. If the frame is arranged as an extruded profile,
the chamber may be closed by a wall though, opposite to the inner wall. There is no
need to apply a further kit layer then.
[0023] The frame 17 has a further, open chamber 35 in which hinges and locks can be positioned.
[0024] Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the window pane frame combination according to
the invention. All component parts that are similar to or have the same function as
the corresponding component parts of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 are indicated
by the saqme reference numerals. This window pane frame combination 37 is fixedly
attached to the frame 3 and is secured by screws 38. The frame 17 has a simpler structure
and here too part of it forms a chamber against which the window panes are bonded
by means of a bonding layer 25 and which is filled with a dehydrant agent (silica
gel). A spacer strip or kit strip 39 is present between the window pane frame combination
37 and the frame 3.
[0025] Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of the window pane frame combination according to
the invention. All component parts that are similar to or have the same function as
the corresponding component parts of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2 are indicated
by the same reference numerals. This window pane frame combination 41 is fixedly secured
to a rough buck in a wall, where no extra frame is located between the window pane
frame combination 41 and the rough buck 7. The frame 17 comprises strips 43 which
border on the rims 45 of the frame. These strips 43 do not rest against the window
panes 9 and have openings through which screws 47 are projecting by which the frame
17 is secured to the rough buck 7. In lieu of securing the frame directly to the rough
buck it may also be mounted pivotably to the rough buck by means of hinges fixed to
one of the strips.
[0026] Fig. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the window pane frame combination according to
the invention. All component parts that are similar to or have the same function as
the corresponding component parts of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 3 are indicated
by the same reference numerals. This window pane frame combination 51 constitutes
a fire-resistant construction and is fixedly secured to a rough buck in a wall, where
no extra window frame is present in between the window pane frame combination and
the rough buck 7. This window pane frame combination 51 has three window panes, of
which a first window pane 53 comprises two glass sheets where one of the glass sheets
55 is layered with a foil in between the glass sheets (or a tempered type of glass
as an alternative) and a spacer sleeve 13 filled with silica gel in between the glass
sheets 55 and 57. A second window pane 59 is constituted by a likewise layered glass
sheet with foil in between the glass sheets (or a tempered type of glass as an alternative),
and the third window pane 61 is constituted by a thick fire-resistant glass plate.
Between the three window panes there are air spaces 29 which form extra insulation
layers. The window panes are spaced apart by two chambers 19 which are constituted
by segments of the frame 17. The frame is assembled from four straight segments which
are first installed around the window panes and then welded together by their ends
into one closed whole. Before the frame segments are placed against the window panes,
first a bonding layer 25 is applied to the frame segments and/or the window panes.
Layers of kit 15 are then applied between the peripheral edges of the window panes
53, 59 and 61 and the frame 17. This fire-resistant construction of the window pane
frame combination shown in Fig. 4 may also be applied to the situations shown in Figs.
1, 2 and 3.
[0027] Albeit the invention has been described in the foregoing based on the drawing figures,
it should be observed that the invention is not by any manner or means restricted
to the embodiment shown in the drawing figures. The invention also extends to all
embodiments deviating from the embodiment shown in the drawing figures within the
scope defined by the claims.
1. A window pane frame combination comprising at least two parallel window panes spaced
from each other, as well as a frame present along the periphery of the window panes,
which frame forms a whole in combination with the window panes, which window panes
comprise each one or more glass sheets and an air space is situated in between the
window panes, which frame is constituted by a profile part of which is situated in
between the window panes and forms a chamber which comprises an inner wall bounding
on the air space and having openings, as well as two sidewalls facing the window panes,
which chamber is at least partly open on the side opposite to the inner wall and is
closed by means of a vapour barrier, where a dehydrating agent is present in the chamber
and where a vapour barrier is present between the peripheral side of the window panes
and the frame, and where a bonding layer is present between the side walls of the
chamber and the window panes by means of which bonding layer the window panes are
sealed to the frame and are rigidly positioned relative to the frame, characteriuzed in that the frame is comprised of a single segment.
2. A window pane frame combination as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the frame is comprised of four steel profiles which are welded together into one
whole.
3. A window pane frame combination as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the profiles are fold formed from strips.
4. A window pane frame combination as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the window panes are fire-resistant window panes.
5. A window pane frame combination as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame is provided with means by which the frame can be mounted directly to a
window frame and is either or not turnable.
6. A window pane frame combination as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the means are constituted by frame strips present on the ridges of the frame, which
are not adjacent to the window panes and function as connecting elements by which
the window pane frame combination can be fixed to a rough buck.
7. A window pane frame combination as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the means are constituted by an open, further chamber in the frame in which chamber
hinges and locks can be positioned.
8. A window pane frame combination as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the window pane frame combination comprises a third window pane and the frame comprises
a further element that constitutes a further chamber.
9. A window comprising a fixed or movable window frame, characterized in that a window pane frame combination as claimed in any one of the previous claims is installed
in the frame.
10. A door comprising a fixed or movable door frame, characterized in that a window pane frame combination according to the invention is installed in the door
frame.
11. A method of manufacturing a window pane frame combination as claimed in any one of
the previous claims 1 to 8, comprising the manufacture of a frame as well as bonding
window panes to the frame during the manufacture of the frame or once the frame has
been manufactured, characterized in that the frame is manufactured from four frame segments which are fixed together into
a whole.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the frame segments are welded together.
13. A method as claimed in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the frame segments are fold formed from strips.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the frame segments are fold formed from steel strips.