The present invention relates to a connector arrangement for a flashing assembly for use in a roof window arrangement, said connector arrangement comprising a base connector element configured for being arranged with an exterior side facing the exterior in the mounted state, an interior side opposite the exterior side, and a length direction of the base connector element extending from a first end towards a second end, where the exterior side comprises a base gutter with two longitudinal edges extending between the first and second ends, where the base gutter is open at the second end so that water can drain out of the base gutter, and where an attachment section on the interior side is configured for being attached to a bracket used for connecting a roof window to a load-bearing structure. The invention further relates to a method for weather proofing a roof window arrangement using such a connector arrangement.
Connector arrangements of this type are known for example from EP3039198 and EP3680416. They serve to attach and interconnect cover and flashing members of the flashing assembly and the base gutter is used to drain off water penetrating through the flashing assembly or condensing at these interconnections. The connector arrangements are used both between windows mounted side-by-side and at the ends of the window arrangements, where cover and flashing members of the flashing assembly extending along the side of the outermost window in the window arrangement are connected to cover and flashing members extending along the top and bottom of the outermost window. In this context the term “top” indicates the part of the roof window, which is located highest when seen in the direction of slope, and the term “bottom” indicates the part of the roof window, which is located lowest when seen in the direction of slope, the typical slope of roof window arrangements where connector arrangements have been used being at least 5 degrees. The slope is defined by the slope of the panes of the roof windows in the mounted and closed state of the windows.
While the prior art connector arrangements have worked very well, it has remained a problem to achieve a reliable and cost-efficient weatherproofing where a roof window arrangement is installed with the tops of the roof windows in close proximity to a wall, the exterior surface of which extends at an angle of less than 180 degrees in relation to the exterior surface of the panes of the roof windows. A particular problem has been that the prior art connector arrangements have not been able to sufficiently compensate for tolerances in the installation of the roof windows and irregularities of the wall.
With this background, it is an object of the invention to provide a connector arrangement with which it is possible to facilitate the installation of roof window arrangement, where the tops of the roof windows are to be mounted in close proximity to a wall. A particular object is to provide a connector arrangement, which can be used with a range of the different mutual angles between the roof window slope and the surface of the wall and/or with a range of the different distances between the roof windows and the surface of the wall.
This and further objects are achieved with a connector arrangement of the kind mentioned in the introduction which is furthermore characterised in that it comprises an elevation element and a top connector element; that said elevation element is connected to the base connector element and supporting the top connector element so that the top connector element is positioned above the base connector element when seen in a height direction extending from the interior side towards the exterior side; that said top connector element comprises a top gutter with two longitudinal edges extending between a first end and a second opposite open end, where a length direction of the top connector element extends from the first end towards the second end; and that, when arranged on the elevation element, the top connector element is arranged with its second end above the gutter of the base connector element and with the length direction of the top connector element extending substantially in parallel to the length direction of the base connector element.
With the addition of the elevation element and the top connector element, the base connector element can be used for attaching and interconnecting top cover members used for covering the top frame members of the roof windows, while the top connector element can be used for attaching and interconnecting top flashing members spanning the gap between the wall and the top cover members. By the top and base connector elements being arranged at different heights, the top flashing members and top cover members become located at different levels and do not get in the way of each other. To cover the distance between the top connector element and the base connector element, the top flashing members can be provided with a leg projecting in the height direction toward the interior in the mounted state, but it also possible to provide additional cover or flashing members for this purpose.
Another advantage of the top flashing members and top cover members being located at different levels is that the base connector element can be embodied substantially in the same way as the base connector elements used in other roof window arrangement, which are not installed at a wall. This in turn means that the top cover members can be embodied in substantially the same way as those used on other roof windows of the roof window arrangement and/or in roof window arrangement not arranged adjacent to a wall.
Water penetrating through the flashing assembly or condensing at the interconnections between the top cover members can be drained off via the gutter in the base gutter and onto the roof window below it in the same way as in the prior art connector arrangement. Water penetrating through the flashing assembly or condensing at the interconnections between the top flashing members will be caught by the gutter in the top connector element and from there drip onto the exterior side of cover members of the flashing assembly or into the base gutter.
The fact that the length direction of the top connector element extends substantially in parallel to the length direction of the base connector element not only contributes to the draining function. It also entails that the connection between the top flashing members can extend substantially in parallel continuation of the connection between the top cover members, which may facilitate installation and/or provide aesthetic qualities to the roof window arrangement.
In order to allow the connector arrangement to be used with a range of the different mutual angles between the roof window slope and the surface of the wall, the top connector element may be displaceable in relation to the base connector element along the length direction of the base connector element. If, for example, the mutual angle between the roof window slope and the surface of the wall measured at the exterior side is relatively large, the first end of the top connector element can be moved away from the elevation element so that it can be arranged closely adjacent to the wall. If, on the other hand, the mutual angle between the roof window slope and the surface of the wall measured at the exterior side is small, the first end of the top connector element can be moved towards the elevation element. The ability to compensate for differences in the mutual angle between the roof window slope and the surface of the wall not only allows the use of the connector arrangement in different installation situations, where the roof window slope is intentionally different. It also allows the connector arrangement to compensate for unintentional differences in the mutual angle. It thus allows a bigger tolerance in the installation of the roof window arrangement. In addition, or alternatively, the connector arrangement may compensate for irregularities in the wall by two or more connector arrangements of a roof window arrangement being arrangement with their top connector elements at different positions relative to their respective base connector elements. By allowing a displacement of the top connector element relative to the base connector element even in the installed position it is even possible for the connector arrangement to compensate for relative movements between the roof window arrangement and the wall caused for example by thermal expansion.
By making the top connector element displaceable in relation to base connector element it is further possible to compensate for differences in the distance between the roof windows and the wall. Such differences for example may occur as a result of the use of different types of the mounting brackets, the use of insulating material on the roof windows, or properties of the wall. As described above with reference to the mutual angle between the roof window slope and the surface of the wall, differences in the distance may also be unintentional and be compensated for by top connector elements being arranged at different positions relative to their respective base connector elements.
In one embodiment the connector arrangement is delivered in an assembled state with a mutual position between the connector elements corresponding to a mutual angle between the roof window slope and the surface of the wall of 90 degrees and when the base connector element is in place the top connector element is then displaced until the first end abuts on the wall or an item attached thereto. In another embodiment the connector arrangement is delivered or brought into an assembled state with a mutual position between the connector elements corresponding to the intended mutual angle between the roof window slope and the surface of the wall and the connector arrangement is then used for validating the slope of the roof window arrangement.
A fixation mechanism for fixating the top connector element in relation to the elevation member and/or for fixating the elevation member in relation to the base connector element may be provided in order to ensure that the different parts of the connector arrangement stay in the intended mutual position. In one embodiment the fixation mechanism comprises a series of depressions on the top connector element and a corresponding projection provided on a flexible part of the elevation element adapted for engaging with one or a few of the depressions. By moving the elastic part of the elevation element away from the top connector element, the projection is brought out engagement with the top connector element, which may then be displaced. When the elastic part of the elevation element is released, the projection(s) will come into engagement with (an)other depression(s) and the fixation will be re-established. It is also possible to use one or more depressions on the elevation element and projections on the top connector element, and/or to have the series of depressions or projections on the elevation element and one or a few corresponding projections or depressions on the top connector element. In another embodiment, the fixation mechanism is a friction mechanism, where one or more elastics parts on elevation element presses against the top connector element or vice versa so that the friction between the materials of the two elements prevents them from moving in relation to each other.
In one embodiment, the elevation member is formed in one with the base connector element. This reduces the number of separate parts of the connector arrangement and hence the risk of erroneous use. In another embodiment the elevation element is integrated in the top connector element and moveable as described above in relation to the base connector element. In a still further embodiment the elevation element is a separate element, which may potentially be moveable in relation to both the top connector element and the base connector element.
The top connector element may comprise a series of attachment sections adapted for use in the attachment of a flashing member to the top connector element. This allows for the attachment of different types of flashing and/or cover members and/or for the attachment of flashing and/or cover members at different positions depending on the distance and the mutual angle between the roof window slope and the surface of the wall. As an example, the top flashing members used when the mutual angle is small will have a relatively small width and may require attachment only at one or two places, whereas the top flashing members used when the mutual angle is high will have a larger width and may require attachment at three or more places. The attachment section may for example be a reception section adapted for receiving a fastener, such as a screw.
A further or supplemental way of increasing the versatility of the connector arrangement is to use a top connector element comprising one or more weakenings and/or separation guides adapted for aiding in the removal of a part of the top connector element. In this way the top connector element can be supplied in a length allowing it to be used with a maximum allowable mutual angle between the roof window slope and the surface of the wall and can easily be made shorter corresponding to smaller mutual angles between the roof window slope and the surface of the wall. By providing a series of weakenings and/or separation guides along the length of the top connector element, those suitable for a particular angle can be used. Angle indications on the top connector element may help to decide which weakenings and/or separation guides to use. The removal of a part of the top connector element may result in the removal of one or more attachment sections.
In a second aspect of the invention the object is achieved with a method for weather proofing a roof window arrangement using a connector arrangement, said method comprising the following steps:
Unless otherwise stated the embodiments and advantages described above with reference to the first aspect of the invention, i.e. the connector arrangement, also applies to the method and vice versa.
In the following description embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the schematic drawings, in which
Referring initially to
The detail marked II in
The connector arrangement 6 comprises a base connector element 61 with an integrated elevation element 62 and a top connector element 63 attached to the elevation element. The base connector element 61 is attached to a mounted bracket assembly 21 used for connecting the frame 22 of the roof window to a beam 34 attached to the wall 33. The base connector element 61 lacking the elevation element 62 is similar to the connector element 6 disclosed in the co-pending European patent application no. EP3680416A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 11,002,016, the description of which in U.S. Pat. No. 11,002,016 is hereby incorporated by reference, and its attachment to the mounting bracket will therefore not be described in further detail here.
As is best seen in
By being arranged on the elevation element 62, the top connector element 63 is positioned above the base connector element 61 when seen in a height direction H extending from the interior side towards the exterior side.
Referring now also to
In this embodiment the top connector element 63 is provided with a wall section 636 extending perpendicular from the longitudinal edge 632 as is best seen in
Any water penetrating through the joint between the top cover member 45 and the top corner cover members 42 or through the opening 421 or condensing on the interior side of the flashing assembly at the joint will be caught in the base gutter 611. Likewise, water penetrating or condensing at the joint between the top corner flashing members 41 and the top flashing member 44 will be caught in the top gutter 631. As best seen in
In the embodiment shown in
If the mutual angle B between the roof window slope and the surface of the wall becomes larger, the centre part 211 of the mounting bracket assembly 21 and hence the entire connector arrangement 6 will turn about the joint 212 of the mounting bracket assembly which is seen in
In this embodiment this is achieved by the top connector element 63 being provided with a toothed rack 637 extending in the length direction along each side of the top gutter 631 as is best seen in
A second embodiment of the top connector element 63 is shown in
The top connector element 63 in
The weaknings 638 allow the top connector element 63 to be shortened depending on the installation situation, either by breaking it by hand or by using a tool for breaking or cutting it along a weakening. In this case the weakenings are line-shaped, but it might also be a series of holes or depressions. Alternatively, the weakenings may be replaced with separation guides, such as cutting-indications, for example in the form of printed lines.
Angle indications 639 indicating respective roof window slope angles are provided at each weakening. Here the angle indications are in the form of number indicating the roof window slope, but other types of indications, such as colour codes, may also be used.
When the top connector element 63 has been shortened, the part of the top connector element located at the right-hand side in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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PA 2020 70552 | Aug 2020 | DK | national |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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9482009 | Krogsgaard | Nov 2016 | B2 |
11002016 | Allesen | May 2021 | B2 |
20040226225 | Olk et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20140366468 | Lindgren | Dec 2014 | A1 |
20200224420 | Nygaard | Jul 2020 | A1 |
20200224421 | Allesen | Jul 2020 | A1 |
20200224425 | Allesen | Jul 2020 | A1 |
20220064957 | Nielsen | Mar 2022 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
3039198 | Jul 2016 | EP |
3282064 | Feb 2018 | EP |
3680416 | Jul 2020 | EP |
3039201 | Jul 2021 | EP |
S59115093 | Aug 1984 | JP |
WO2015028030 | Mar 2015 | WO |
Entry |
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European Search Report dated Nov. 15, 2021 issued in connection with European Patent Application No. EP 21193111, five (5) pages. |
Danish Office Action dated Feb. 22, 2021 issued in connection with Danish Patent Application No. PA 2020 70552, eight (8) pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20220064957 A1 | Mar 2022 | US |