EP1341981A1

EP1341981A1 - A window for fastening in an opening in a wall

Info

Publication number: EP1341981A1
Application number: EP01982186A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Helmut Friedrichsen
Original assignee: Nassau Door AS
Current assignee: Nassau Door AS
Priority date: 2000-11-01
Filing date: 2001-10-31
Publication date: 2003-09-10
Also published as: NO20023159L; WO2002038901A1; NO318348B1; PL206479B1; PL365878A1; DK174499B1; AU2002213832A1; NO20023159D0; DK200001640A

Abstract

A window serving for being fastened in an opening (4) in a wall (1). The window comprises two transparent panes (6) located in the opening (4) at a mutual spacing, an outer frame (7) placed on either side of the wall (1) and supporting against the wall (1) with an outer peripheral area and against the nearest of the two panes (6) with an inner peripheral area, a first et of locking means (12, 13) located on each outer frame (7), and a second set of locking means (23, 24) for locking the two outer frames (7) together in cooperation with the two first sets of locking means. The window (5) furthermore comprises a middle frame (8) located in a peripheral area of the space between the two panes (6) and determining the mutual spacing of these panes. The window has a simple and inexpensible structure and is easily and quickly mounted.

Description

A window for fastening in an opening in a wall

The invention relates to a window fastened in an opening in a wall and comprising two transparent panes mounted at a mutual spacing in the opening, an outer frame mounted on either side of the wall and supporting against the wall with an outer peripheral area and against the nearest pane of the two panes with an inner peripheral area, a first set of locking means mounted on both outer frames, and a second set of locking means for locking the two outer frames together in cooperation with the two first sets of locking means.

Such a window is known from US Patent No 3,750,358. This window is intended for being fastened in an opening in a door. The pane of the window can consist of one sheet of glass or alternatively of two sheets of glass . In the last-mentioned case in the form of a well-known double glazing. Furthermore, the window has two frames which are locked together upon mounting by means of toothed locking portions engaging with corresponding toothings on the frames. During this, the locking portions are supported by flanges on each frame.

When the window is to be mounted, one of the frames is first placed in position on the outer side of the door, the locking portions are pushed into the frame, the pane placed on the locking portions and pressed up against the frame which at the same time is held to abut the exterior of the door, the second frame is pushed from the inner side of the door in over the projecting part of the locking portions and finally made to abut both the pane and the inner side of the door.

This mounting process is difficult and labour-consuming. Furthermore, each frame is made of four extruded bars designed with a complicated and material-consuming cross section. On manufacturing of the frames, the extruded bars are cut in a bevelled manner at the ends and joined at the corners of the frame. All in all the known window is therefore costly to manufacture and difficult and time-consuming to mount.

The object of the invention is to provide a window of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph, that has a simple, inexpensive design and that is easy and quick to mount in an opening in a wall .

A second object of the invention is to provide a window of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph, that is given the same advantageous characteristics as a double glazing upon mounting .

A third object of the invention is to provide a window of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph, that has a beautiful and attractive design in mounted state.

The novel and unique features according to the invention, whereby this is achieved, is the fact that the window comprises a middle frame located in a peripheral area of the space between the two panes and determining the mutual spacing between these panes. Thereby, the window obtains a simple structure which easily and quickly can be mounted in an opening in a wall and especially where the second set of locking means constitute an integral part of the middle frame.

In an advantageous embodiment the first set of locking means can comprise a first number of toothed flanges located along each outer frame at a mutual spacing, the second set of locking means can comprise a second number of toothed flanges located along the middle frame at the same mutual spacing as the first set, and the toothings on the first and second number of toothed flanges respectively can furthermore be arranged in such a way that they lockingly engage each other upon mounting of the window. The effect of said toothings which advantageously can have a sawtoothed design is that the window easily and quickly can be mounted merely by placing the two panes in the opening of the wall separated by the middle frame and then press the two outer frames together around this middle frame whereby the toothings of the respective flanges automatically will engage each other and thereby effectively lock the window in the opening .

In one embodiment the middle frame can be designed with a single wall extending peripherally across the panes. Alternatively, the frame can however have several similar walls located at a spacing from each other and together with the two panes defining a number of chambers in the mounted state of the window.

By placing a moisture-absorbing agent in at least one of the above chambers and letting this chamber communicate with the space between the two panes via one or more ventilation apertures, these two panes and the middle frame will jointly function as a double glazing.

The invention will be explained in greater detail below, describing only one exemplary embodiment and referring to further advantageous embodiments of the window with reference to the drawing, in which

Fig. 1 is a fractional sectional view of a window according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II - II of fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a plane view of an outer frame for the window in figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 4 is on a larger scale a fractional view of the outer frame in fig. 3 and of the profile of the frame,

Fig. 5 is a plane view of a middle frame for the window in figs . 1 and 2 , and

Fig. 6 is on a larger scale a fractional view of the middle frame in fig. 5 and of the profile of the frame.

As an example, it is in the following assumed that the wall which is to be provided with a window according to the invention is a section for an overhead door.

This door section 1 which is fractionally shown in detail in figs. 1 and 2 is made of a plastic foam 2 for example polyurethane with an outer plate-shaped sheeting of e.g. aluminium or iron. The section shown is of a kind known per see and does not form any part of the present invention.

An opening 4 is cut in the section, and a window 5 according to the invention is mounted in this opening. The window is constructed of two panes 6, two outer frames 7, and a middle frame 8. Sealings 9a,b,c serve for ensuring sealing between the different parts of the window and the wall.

The panes 6 can be of glass or a transparent plastic whereas the outer frames 7 and the middle frame 8 preferably are moulded of a suitable plastic.

Fig. 3 is a plane view of one of the outer frames 7, and fig. 4 is on a larger scale a fractional view of the frame and the profile of the frame.

The outer frame is designed with longitudinal stiffening ribs 10 and 11 and a number of toothed flanges 12 which in this case are distributed in pairs along the periphery of the frame. The teeth 13 of the flanges form a sawtoothed pattern. The flanges are stiffened by corner stiffenings 14.

Fig. 5 is a plane view of the middle frame 8, and fig. 6 is on a larger scale a fractional view of the frame and the profile of the frame.

The middle frame is made up of a first 15, a second 16 and a third wall 17 extending across the two panes 6 in the mounted state of the window and keeping these panes at a mutual spacing. The first and second wall 15,16 are joined by a first cross wall 18, and the second and the third wall 16,17 are joined by a second cross wall 19. A first number of stiffeners 20 are furthermore found between the first and second wall 15,16, and a second number of stiffeners 21 are found between the second and third wall 16,17.

A rib 22 projecting perpendicularly is designed centrally on the first wall 15 of the middle frame, and a number of toothed flanges 23 with teeth 24 are designed perpendicularly on either side of this rib, said teeth being made with a sawtoothed pattern corresponding to the one of the teeth 13 on the flanges 12 of the outer frame.

The toothed flanges 23 of the middle frame are distributed in pairs along the periphery of the frame at the same mutual spacing as the toothed flanges 12 of the outer frame are distributed in pairs along the periphery of these frames. The toothed flanges 23 are supported by consoles 25 constituting an integral part of the flanges 23 and the rib 22.

As shown best in fig. 2, are the flanges 23 forming one of the walls in a pocket 26 furthermore defined by the first wall 15 of the middle frame 8 and by two side walls 27. Upon mounting of the window, the middle frame 8 is placed together with the two panes 6 in the opening 4 of the door section, after which the outer frames 7 are pressed into abutment against the section 1 and the panes 6, respectively. During this, the toothed flanges 12 of the outer frames 7 are pushed into the pockets 26 on the middle frame 8 whereby their teeth 13 are put into locking engagement with the teeth 24 on the toothed flanges 23 of the middle frame 8.

When the toothed flanges 12 of the outer frame 7 is in the pockets 26 on the middle frame 8, they are supported by the first wall 15 of this frame whereas the toothed flanges 23 of the middle frame 8 are supported by the consoles 25 on the ribs 22 of the first wall 15.

Said supports prevent the toothed flanges 12 and 23 from being able to be bent so much outwards that their teeth, 13 and 14 respectively, can disengage without using violence or great force, and the outer frames 7 thereby be pulled free of the middle frame 8. In mounted state, the window according to the invention is therefore securely and effectively fastened in opening 4 of the door section 1.

In this connection it is to be noted that the teeth of the flanges form a sawtoothed pattern with relatively slightly inclining, forward facing tooth faces and relatively steeply inclining, backward facing tooth faces. The teeth on the flanges of the outer frame and the flanges of the middle frame respectively will therefore function as a kind of barb which can be pushed into engagement with each other but cannot or can only be pulled free of each other again by using violence or great force.

As mentioned previously, the middle frame 8 will hold the panes 6 at a mutual spacing when the window is mounted in opening 4 of the door section 1 whereas the outer frames 7 during this will hold the panes into abutment against the middle frame. Each pane is therefore securely secured between the associated outer frame and middle frame.

Sealings 9a and 9b serve for sealing the joint on both sides. Other sealings 9c ensure an effective sealing between each outer frame and the section 1. The window is thus tightly mounted in opening 4 of the section 1.

The two panes 6 together with the first and second wall 15, 16 of the middle frame 8 define a first chamber 28, together with the second and third wall 16, 17 of the middle frame 8 a second chamber 29, and together with the third wall 17 of the middle frame a third chamber 30.

The third chamber 30 forms the space between the clear centre sections 31 of the two panes, which is seen best in fig. 2. In case of fluctuating temperatures, possible moisture in the space could settle as condensed water on the inside of the centre sections of the panes which thereby would become unclear .

To prevent this, the third chamber 30 is communicating with the second chamber 29 via narrow ventilation apertures 32 designed in the third wall 17 of the middle frame. The second chamber 29 is furthermore full of a moisture absorbing agent, not shown, e.g. MO EKULAR ® serving for absorbing possible moisture in the third chamber 30 via the ventilation aperture, that is in the space between the clear sections 31 of the panes . Said sections will therefore always be transparent and clear.

The sections of an overhead door normally appear with an architecturally beautiful appearance suiting the buildings in which the overhead door is mounted well. In order to avoid that the rough foam moulding along the inner edge of the opening will scar the otherwise advantageous appearance of the overhead door, both the outer frames and the middle frame are in this case manufactured in such a way that they jointly will cover the foam moulding along the inner edge. Furthermore, the frames are manufactured of nontransparent plastic. The foam moulding along the inner edge of the foam moulding is therefore not visible.

The curved course of the outer frame - seen in cross section - will furthermore give the window and thus the overhead section a beautiful design.

The window has been described above and shown in the drawing with toothed flanges distributed in pairs at mutual spacing along the periphery of the flanges. Within the scope of the invention, the flanges can however occur individually on the frames or be extending continuously along the periphery of the frames .

Furthermore, the window is described on the assumption that it was to be fastened in an opening cut in a section for an overhead door .

However, this is only to be taken as an example as the window according to the invention advantageously can be used in many other cases in which a window of a simple and inexpensive design is desired fastened in an opening in a wall quickly and easily.

The frames can be manufactured of a plastic material which can be transparent or nontransparent according to purpose but they can also be manufactured of any other kind of suitable material, e.g. aluminium, within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Patent claims

1. A window fastened in an opening (4) in a wall (1) and comprising two transparent panes (6) located at a mutual spacing in the opening (4) , an outer frame (7) mounted on either side of the wall (1) and supporting against the wall (1) with an outer peripheral area and against the nearest of the two panes (6) with an inner peripheral area, a first set of locking means (12,13) mounted on each outer frame (7) , and a second set of locking means (23,24) for locking the two outer frames (7) together in cooperation with the two first sets of locking means, characterised in that the window (5) furthermore comprises a middle frame (8) located in a peripheral area of the space between the two panes (6) and determining the mutual spacing between these panes.

2. A window according to claim 1, characterised in that the second set of locking means (23,24) are located on the middle frame (8) .

3. A window according to claim 1 or 2 , characterised in that the first set of locking means (12,13) comprises a first number of toothed flanges (12) located at mutual spacing along each outer frame

(7), that the second set of locking means (23,24) comprises a second number of toothed flanges (23) located at the same mutual spacing as the first set along the middle frame (8) , and that the toothings (13,-24) on the first and second number of toothed flanges (12; 23) respectively can furthermore be arranged in such a way that they lockingly engage each other upon fastening of the window ( 5 ) .

4. A window according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the middle frame (8) comprises a number of walls

(15,16,17) located at a distance from each other and together with the two panes (6) defining a number of chambers (28,29,30) in the mounted state of the window (1) •

5. A window according to claim 4, characterised in that at least one of the chambers (29) is full of a moisture- absorbing agent and that this chamber (29) is communicating with the space between the two panes via at least one ventilation aperture (32) .

6. A window according to any of the claims 1-5, characterised in that the middle frame (8) comprises a first wall (15) located at the periphery of the panes (6) in the mounted state of the middle wall

(8) and extending mainly perpendicular to these panes , a second wall (16) extending mainly parallel to the first wall (15) at a distance from this wall, a third wall (17) extending mainly parallel to the second wall (16) at a distance from this wall, and a second cross wall (19) joining the second and third wall (16;.17) .

7. A window according to claim 6, characterised in that the two panes (6) are defining a first chamber (28) together with the first and second wall (15; 16) of the middle frame (8) in the mounted state of the window (1) , - a second chamber (29) together with the second and third wall (16;17) of the middle frame (8), a third chamber (30) together with the third wall

(17) of the middle frame (8), that the third chamber (30) is communicating with the second (29) via at least one ventilation aperture (32), and that at least the second chamber (29) is full of a moisture-absorbing agent.

8. A window according to claim 6 or 7 , characterised in that the first flanges (12) are supporting against the first wall (15) of the middle frame (8) with one side in the mounted state of the window (5) whereas the toothing (13) of the flanges (12) are made on the other side, that at least one mainly perpendicularly projecting rib (22) is made on the first wall (15) of the middle frame (8) , and that the other flanges (23) are extending mainly perpendicular outwards from both sides of this rib

(22) with their toothing (24) facing and located at such a spacing from the first wall (15) of the middle frame (8) that the toothings of the first

(12) and the second (23) number of flanges respectively are placed in locking engagement with each other upon fastening of the window (5) .

9. A window according to any of the claims 1-8, characterised in that there is at least one console (25) integrated with both the side of each of the other flanges (23) facing opposite the toothing (24), and the side of the rib (22) of the respective second flange (23) in the first wall (15) of the middle frame (22).

10. A window according to any of the claims 6-9, characterised in that each of the other flanges (23) are designed as one of the walls in a pocket (26) defined by the respective second flange (23), the first wall (15) of the middle frame (8) and the two side walls (27) which at a mutual spacing are extending between the flange (23) and the first wall (15) .