EP0960250A1

EP0960250A1 - Combination of two composite sections for window or door frames

Info

Publication number: EP0960250A1
Application number: EP98904162A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Massimo Ruzzon; Fabrizio Ruzzon
Original assignee: Ral Infissi Srl
Current assignee: Ral Infissi Srl
Priority date: 1997-02-14
Filing date: 1998-01-30
Publication date: 1999-12-01
Also published as: WO1998036145A1; ITMI970319A1; AU6214498A; IT1290331B1

Abstract

The combination of two composite sections (100, 200) for window or door frames comprises a composite section for forming the fixed frame part (to be fixed to the wall), and a composite section for forming the window or door frame wings. Each of these composite sections (100, 200) comprises a metal section (102, 202), a wooden section (106, 206), and a plastic section (104, 204) irremovably connecting the first two sections together. The plastic section (104, 204) both of the fixed frame part and of the wing is irremovably snap-coupled to the relative metal section (102, 202) by coupling elements (107, 108, 207, 208) which, when coupling has been effected, are inaccessible from the outside. The plastic section (104) of the fixed frame part is provided with an element (112) which elastically deforms as a result of coupling the metal section (102) and plastic section (104) together, to exert a thrust which tends to urge the two sections apart. The coupling elements (107, 108, 207, 208) and the elastically deformable element (112) are provided on parts (110, 210, 112) elastically deformable in a direction transverse to the section length, but parallel to the plane of the window or door frame.

Description

COMBINATION OF TWO COMPOSITE SECTIONS FOR WINDOW OR DOOR FRAMES

This invention relates to composite sections used for producing window or door frames, the term composite here meaning those sections consisting substantially of a metal section, a wooden section and a plastic connection section which maintains the first two sections joined together while at the same time forming a barrier against thermal bridges.

As known to the expert of the art, the first frames using this type of composite section presented problems due to the difference between the thermal expansion coefficients of the various constituent materials of the composite section. Composite sections were consequently produced allowing sliding transverse to the section length, with a device for returning the constituent sections to a centered position when attempting to withdraw them in a direction perpendicular to the sections but parallel to the plane of the frame These composite sections are rather complicated, especially with regard to the metal section and plastic section

Moreover, in known composite sections which form the fixed frame part, there is nothing which on mounting the wing opposes the forces exerted on the wooden section in the direction of the metal section deriving from the insertion of the screws which support the wing hinges, with the result that the plastic section in practice becomes permanently locked in an incorrect position

It is consequently an object of this invention to provide a combination of composite sections for window or door frames which does not present the aforesaid drawback.

Furthermore, window or door frames formed with known composite sections generally do not provide sufficient protection against thrusts exerted from the outside against the glass pane for house- breaking purposes, and even if protection devices against such house-breaking thrusts are sometimes provided, such devices prevent the mounting of panes or closure panels exceeding a certain thickness, the maximum allowable thickness being rather smal 1

It is consequently another object of this invention to provide a combination of composite sections for window or door frames which offers high resistance against this type of house-breaking, while enabling larger panes or closure panels to be mounted

The first stated object is attained by the combination of two composite sections for window or door frames of the invention, comprising a composite section for forming the fixed frame part (to be fixed to the wall), and a composite section for forming the wings of the window or door frame, each composite section comprising a metal section to remain on the outside, a wooden section to remain on the inside, and a plastic section irremovably connecting the first two sections together, characterised in that: the plastic section both of the fixed frame part and of the wing is irremovably snap-coupled to the relative metal section by coupling elements which, when coupling has been effected, are inaccessible from the outside; the plastic section of the fixed frame part is provided with an element which elastically deforms as a result of coupling the metal section and plastic section together, to exert a thrust which tends to urge the two sections apart; the coupling elements and the elastically deformable element of the plastic sections are provided on parts elastically deformable in a direction transverse to the section length, but parallel to the plane of the window or door frame. In this manner, relatively simple composite sections are formed having a means which opposes those forces consequent on the insertion of the screws which carry the wing hinges.

The second stated object is attained by providing house-breaking protection blocks for insertion between the glass pane and the glazing fillet, these house-breaking protection blocks being connectable to the metal section of the wing to discharge onto it the house-breaking thrusts exerted from the outside against the glass, these blocks being able to be arranged in two different positions to enable panes or closure panels of any useful thickness to be mounted. Preferably a wedge element is forcibly inserted between each house-breaking protection block and the glass.

The invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description of one embodiment thereof. This description makes reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which shows a cross-section through a combination of composite sections for window or door frames of the invention.

As can be seen from the figure, the combination of composite sections for window or door frames comprises: a composite section, indicated overall by 100, for forming the fixed frame part of the window or door frame and fixed to the wall which is to contain the frame; and a composite section, indicated overall by 200, to form the wing frame part of the window or door frame

The fixed composite section 100 comprises a metal section 102 (for example of aluminium), a plastic section 104 and a wooden section 106, this latter being of usual type, whereas (as will be apparent to the expert of the art) the metal section 102 and the plastic section 104 are substantially more simple than the known sections used for this purpose.

In that part facing the plastic section 104 the metal section 102 comprises a substantially C-shaped recessed part, on the inside of each arm of the C there being provided a relative tooth 107 of sawtooth shape, engageable with a corresponding tooth 108, also of sawtooth shape, provided on the outside of a relative tubular portion or lobe 110 of the plastic section 104. The two lobes 110 are elastically deformable such that when the plastic section 104 is urged in the direction of the arrow F visible in the figure, its teeth 108 snap beyond the teeth 107, to definitively lock the plastic section 104 to the metal section 102. The lobe shape of the portions 110 also enables the plastic section 104 to be centered relative to the metal section 102.

It can also be seen in the figure that the plastic section 104 also has a central portion or lobe 112 (shown deformed in the figure) which when the plastic section 104 is fitted to the metal section 102 elastically deforms in the opposite direction to that of the arrow F, hence exerting a suitable elastic force tending to withdraw the plastic section 104 from the metal section 102, and maintaining it in the correct position. This serves to counteract the forces arising from the insertion of the screws supporting the wing hinges, and which pass through the wooden section 106 and the plastic section 104, to be anchored in the metal section 102. It can be seen that the lobe 112 is effectively the only part of the plastic section 104 which is deformed in the direction of the arrow F.

It can also be seen in the figure that by virtue of the particular shape and elasticity of the lobes 110 and 112, correct positioning of the plastic section 104 relative to the metal section 102 is obtained, even though small adaptation movements are possible in the direction perpendicular to the arrow F.

It should also be noted that in practice the plastic section 104 cannot be separated from the aluminium section 102 once the two have been fitted together. It can be seen from the figure that the plastic section 104 comprises a fin 114 which protects a large part of the relative side of the adjacent wooden section 106. The plastic section 104 is fixed to this latter in the usual manner, as can be seen from the figure.

The composite section 200, which forms the frame part for the wing of the window or door frame, is composed of a metal section 202, a wooden section 206 and a plastic section 204 which connects the first two together. Again in this case the expert of the art will note from the figure that the metal section 202 and plastic section 204 are more simple and hence less costly and easier to mount than known sections.

It can also be seen that the metal section 202 also comprises a substantially C-shaped recessed part, on the inside of the two arms of the C there being provided respective teeth 207 (identical to the teeth 107 of the metal section 102 in this case) to be snap-engaged with the corresponding teeth 208 (identical to the teeth 108 of the plastic section 104) provided on the plastic section 204. This latter is similar to the plastic section 104, it comprising two lobes 210 identical to the lobes 110. However, in contrast to the section 104 the plastic section 204 does not comprise a central lobe of the lobe 112 type, because it is not required in this case. This is because there is not the need to counteract forces directed from the wooden section 206 towards the metal section 202, as there is for the fixed frame part.

A further difference between the plastic sections 104 and 204 is that the section 204 comprises a longitudinal projection 216 with a hook-shaped cross-section to engage the end of a relative fin 218 of the metal section 202. Consequently the plastic section 204 is mounted by firstly engaging the hook projection 216 with the corresponding fin 218 and then rotating the plastic section 204 towards the metal section 202 and forcing this latter so that its teeth 208 snap beyond the teeth 207 of the metal section 202. Again here, because of the presence of the elastically deformable lobes 210, the plastic section 204 becomes correctly positioned relative to the metal section 202, although small adaptation movements in the direction perpendicular to the arrow F are possible to elastically compensate the thermal expansion due to the different temperatures which the various materials can reach As can be noted from the figure, in practice the plastic section 204 cannot be separated from the metal section 202 once snap- fitted to it. The plastic section 204 is fixed to the wooden section 206 in the usual manner.

The seal between the two composite sections 100 and 200 towards the outside is provided by a conventional gasket 300 applicable to the metal section 102, to engage a U-shaped plastic section 400, rather than engage the metal section (as in the case of known composite section combinations), so achieving better insulation The U-section 400 can be snap-fitted to a pair of ribs 220 and 222 of the metal section 202 The seal between the composite sections 100 and 200 towards the inside is provided by a conventional gasket 302 fixed to the wooden section 206 in the usual manner and engaging the wooden section 106.

It should be noted that the U-section 400 covers that channel of the metal section 202 lying between the ribs 220 and 222, at which the seam-jointing required for assembling the wings is made, so that the joints cannot be seen. In contrast, in the known art such seam joints are visible because they are formed in correspondence with the hardware channel, ιe that channel of the metal section to which the wing hinges are also fixed Consequently, with this invention the two said functions (of housing the seam joints and housing the hardware) are performed by two different section channels, with the advantage that besides masking the seam joints the hardware channel (that between the ribs 222 and 218) is much closer to the wooden section 206 than in the case of the composite wing sections of the known art. Consequently the wing hinges, having a substantially shorter arm, are able to withstand much greater forces and can hence carry a heavier wing.

The hardware channel rests on the steps 402 and 224 provided respectively on the U-section 400 and on the hook end 218 of the plastic section 204, so as to thermally insulate the hardware from the metal section 202, in contrast to known composite wing sections

The described composite section combination is completed by blocks of substantially rigid plastic 410 (for example nylon) which as stated provide protection against house-breaking. The blocks 410 have an arm 412 the free end of which is shaped as a hook 413 for engagement with a corresponding longitudinal rib 226 provided on the metal section 202. Each house-breaking protection block 410 is fixed in the usual manner to the glazing fillet 230 and comprises a projection 414 for insertion between the glazing fillet 230 and the metal section 202 A part 416 of the house- breaking protection blocks 410 is interposed between the glass pane (or closure panel) 430 and the glazing fillet 230, against which it rests Such a shaping of the house-breaking protection block 410 enables greater house-breaking forces to be withstood than those wi thstandable by known house-breaking protection blocks. The block 410 can also be arranged in two different positions, one of which (that shown in the figure) being for smaller pane or closure panel thicknesses, and the other enabling glass panes or panels of the maximum thickness used in practice (up to 40 mm) to be mounted. In this second position the hook 413 of the house-breaking protection block 410 is hooked to the longitudinal rib 213 of the metal section 202 In this case a glazing fillet has to be used having a width in the direction of the arrow F less than that of the glazing fillet 230

From the figure it can be seen that a portion of that surface of the part 416 of the house-breaking protection blocks 410 facing the glass 430 comprises knurling 418 engageable with similar knurling 422 provided on the corresponding surface of a wedge element 420 of a substantially rigid plastic (such as nylon) The wedge 410 is forcibly inserted between the part 416 of the relative house-breaking protection block 410 and the glass 430 In this manner a house-breaking force exerted on the glass in the opposite direction to the arrow F can be withstood without difficulty because it is transferred to the rib 226 of the metal section 202 by virtue of the hook shape of the arm 412 of the house-breaking protection block 410

As can be seen from the figure, the seal between the glass 430 and metal section 202 is provided by a conventional gasket 304, the seal between the glass 430 and the glazing fillet 230 being provided by a conventional gasket 306.

Said house-breaking protection blocks 410 also have the advantage of enabling the glass panes to be mounted without the use of glazing fillets 230, these latter being coupled afterwards to the blocks, the gasket 306 premounted on the glazing fillet 230 then being interposed to compensate the gap due to the block thickness.

It should also be noted that the aforedescπbed combination of composite sections 100 and 200 can be provided with a device for adjusting the position of the glass 430 within its plane, ιe in a direction perpendicular to the arrow F. This is possible because of the provision of a certain number of spacer blocks (the figure shows one block 440) between the metal section 202 and the edge 432 of the glass 430. The position of each spacer block 440 relative to the section 202 can be adjusted by a screw device 450 screwable into a relative hole 452 provided in the corresponding wall of the metal section 202. One end of the screw 450 is shaped to engage a relative cavity provided in the block 440 Hence by operating the screw 450 the position of the spacer block 440 relative to the metal section 202 can be adjusted. The screw 450 must be adjusted before positioning the plastic U-section 400

With regard to the materials of construction of said composite sections, the sections 106, 206 and 230 are of wooden construction, the metal sections 102 and 202 can be of aluminium, aluminium alloy or steel construction, and the plastic sections 104, 204 and 400 can be for example of PVC construction As already stated, the house-breaking protection blocks 410 and relative wedges 420 can for example be of nylon construction, as can the spacer blocks 440.

Claims

Cl ai ms :

1 The combination of two composite sections (100, 200) for window or door frames, comprising a composite section for forming the fixed frame part, and a composite section for forming the wings of the window or door frame, each composite section comprising a metal section (102, 202), a wooden section (106, 206), and a plastic connection section (104,204) irremovably connecting the first two sections together, characterised in that: the plastic section (104, 204) both of the fixed frame part and of the wing is irremovably snap-coupled to the relative metal section (102, 202) by coupling elements (107, 108, 207, 208) which, when coupling has been effected, are inaccessible from the outside; the plastic section (104) of the fixed frame part is provided with an element (112) which elastically deforms as a result of coupling the metal section (102) and plastic section (104) together, to exert a thrust which tends to urge the two sections apart ; the coupling elements (107, 108, 207, 208) and the elastically deformable element (112) are provided on parts (110, 210, 112) elastically deformable in a direction transverse to the section length, but parallel to the plane of the window or door frame

2. The combination claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic section (104) of the fixed composite section (100) comprises a fin (114) which largely covers that face of the relative wooden section (106) which faces the other composite section (200)

3. The combination claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal section (102, 202) of each composite section (100, 200) has a C- shaped recessed portion, the inside of each arm of the C comprising a tooth (107) snap-engageable with a corresponding tooth (108) provided on said corresponding elastically deformable parts (110, 210).

4. The combination claimed in claim 1, wherein those parts comprising the teeth (108, 208) on the plastic sections (104, 204) are in the shape of lobes (110, 210)

5. The combination claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastically deformable thrusting element is in the shape of a lobe (112).

6. The combination claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic section (204) of the wing comprises a fin having a hook-shaped end (216) for engagement with a corresponding fin (218) provided on the relative metal section (202).

7. The combination claimed in claim 1, wherein blocks (410) of substantially rigid plastic are interposed for house-breaking protection purposes between the pane or closure panel (430) and the glazing fillet (230), said blocks comprising means (412) for their coupling to corresponding retention means (226) provided on the metal section (202) of the wing, to withstand inwardly directed house-breaking thrusts perpendicular to the glass (430).

8. The combination claimed in claim 7, wherein the house- breaking protection blocks (410) comprise a fin (414) interposed between the pane or closure panel (430) and the glazing fillet.

9. The combination claimed in claim 7, wherein between each house-breaking protection block (410) and the pane or closure panel (430) there is forcibly inserted a wedge element (420) of substantially rigid plastic

10. The combination claimed in claim 9, wherein at least a part of that surface of each house-breaking protection block (410) facing the wedge element (420) and at least a part of the corresponding surface of the relative block (420) are knurled

11. The combination claimed in any one of claims 7-10, wherein the house-breaking protection block (410) can be applied to the metal section (202) in two different positions, one of which enables smaller thickness panes or closure panels (430) to be mounted, the other allowing those of greater thickness to be mounted.

12. The combination claimed in claim 1, wherein between the edge of the pane or closure panel (430) and the wing metal section (202) there are positioned a certain number of spacer blocks (440), the position of which relative to the section (202) can be adjusted by a screw device inserted into the metal section (202).

13. The combination claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal between the two composite sections (100, 200) is provided externally by a gasket (300) fixable to the metal section (102) of the fixed frame part and engaging a plastic section (400) applicable to the wing metal section (202), said plastic section (400) closing the channel of the wing metal section (202) where the seam joints for assembling the wing are made.

14. The combination claimed in claim 2, wherein the plastic section (400) is overall of U-shape and can be snap-fitted in the manner of a bridge between two ribs (220, 222) of the relative metal section (202) which define the channel within which the seam joints are made.

15. The combination claimed in claim 14, wherein the hardware channel rests on one side on the U-section (400) and on the other side on the hook-shaped end (216) of the plastic section (204).