Patent Application
20060026913
This invention relates to a combination and arrangement of profiles for use in manufacturing sliding fenestration products which may comprise a system for sliding and double hung sash window arrangements or sliding patio doors.
The manufacturer of windows and patio doors from extruded vinyl material is well known and has become widely accepted. Vinyl has grown considerably and has a number of advantages over other materials such as wood, metal (primarily aluminium) and glass fiber reinforced materials.
Most commercial window systems at this time require an opening sash section within an outer frame so that the user can open the windows when required. Such windows can include hinges and a pivotal action but these are disadvantageous in that it is necessary for the sash to pivot away from the plane of the main frame leaving it vulnerable to damage and also requiring space either in the interior or the exterior of the building to receive the pivoted sash section.
It is desirable therefore to manufacture windows where there is an outer frame within with the sash section are mounted for sliding movement since these sliding windows are therefore protected within the out main frame and do not take up any additional space in the sliding action since one merely slides in front of the other. Both sections can slide or one section may be stationary and one or more other sections slide relative to the stationary section.
Each sliding windows can be mounted for vertical sliding movement in which case the windows are known as “Double-hung” sash windows in that both sliding sections can slide vertically within the frame in the control of a spring mechanism mounted in the outer main frame which resists the sliding movement to hold the sash at a selected position within the outer frame.
Alternatively the sash windows can be of the horizontal sliding type where the sash windows slide along receptacles defined by the outer main frame. The outer main frame requires less structural elements since it is not necessary to receive any support components for the sash windows since they merely rest in the bottom track or receptacle for horizontal sliding movement to a required position.
Many manufacturers thus provide both a vertical sliding system and a horizontal sliding system manufactured as a system where the structure of the sash frame is a common component to both systems since it requires to support the glass and at the same time simply to slide in the tracks defined by the vertical or horizontal sliding outer frame structure.
Manufacturers therefore often attempt to manufacture this system using a minimum number of separate extruded profiles so as to minimize the complexity of the system, minimize inventory and minimize the amount of tooling necessary for the individual parts.
One example of a double-hung vertical sliding system is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,199 by the present inventor assigned to Rehau Ag and issued Aug. 27, 1991.
It is commonly known to provide additional profile elements which can snap into engagement with the main frame construction. Thus for example in
For convenience of description, windows are described herein utilizing the term “inner” or “inwardly” in a direction from the frame toward a center of the window in the window plane. Symmetrically the term “outer” or “outwardly” is used in the opposite direction from the center of the window toward the outer frame. To distinguish from these terms, the terms “inside” and “outside” are used in respect of directions at right angles to the plane of the window toward the inside of the building or toward the outside of the building respectively within which the window is mounted. These terms are used consistently throughout the description and claims here in so as to assist in distinguishing the various components and their locations relative to one another.
It is one object of the invention to provide an improved combination of profiles for use in manufacturing frames for sliding windows and doors in component system which has advantages over conventional systems.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a combination of profiles for forming window or door constructions comprising:
As defined above, therefore, this system utilizes a three component construction including a outer profile and two separate inner profiles one for use with the vertical double-hung slider system and the other for use with the horizontal slider system. Thus the profile components include three separate profiles rather than the conventional two profiles where one of them is common and the inner parts necessary for the two separate systems are fabricated into the different and separate inner profiles.
Surprisingly this arrangement provides significant advantages of cost and efficiency together advantages of operation as described hereinafter.
Preferably the common outer profile has an inside surface at right angles to the outwardly facing surface and outside surface which is inclined.
Preferably the common outer profile has at side edges of the outwardly facing surface inside and outside slots for receiving inside and outside brickmolds.
Preferably each of the first and second inner profiles includes cooperating elements thereon for cooperating with elements on the common outer profile for location in the inwardly facing channel thereof by snap fastening of the cooperating elements.
Preferably the cooperating elements are arranged to allow engagement of the first and second inner profiles in the common outer profile by longitudinal sliding.
Preferably the receiving channel has inside and outside side walls and wherein the cooperating elements include shoulders projecting from the inside and outside side walls into engagement with the inner profile.
Preferably the receiving channel has an inwardly facing outer base wall and the inner profile includes an outwardly facing outer base wall and wherein the cooperating elements include a projecting bead along one of the outer base walls and a cooperating recess in the other of the outer base walls into which the projecting bead can snap.
Preferably, when used to form a horizontal slider, one part of the second inner profile to be used at the top of the window frame has an outer section removed leaving an inner section which is received in the channel of the outer profile in a floating action in a direction inwardly and outwardly, or upwardly and downwardly when at the top so as to engage an outer or top surface of each of the sliding sash windows.
Preferably the outer surface of the sliding sash window includes at least one weather strip carried thereon for engaging the surface of the inner profile.
Preferably the outer profile includes a wall at right angles to the outer surface of the sash window which carries a weather strip for engaging the inside one of the sash windows and wherein the inner profile includes a wall at right angles to the outer surface of the sash window which carries a weather strip for engaging the outside one of the sash windows.
Preferably the inner profile has at least one inner hole formed therein at a selected position along the length thereof for escape of moisture from an inner part of the inner profile outwardly to the outer profile; wherein the outer profile has an outside facing surface with an outer hole formed therein at a selected position along the length thereof for escape of moisture from the outer profile; and wherein the position of the inner hole is longitudinally offset from the position of the outer hole to prevent direct penetration of air.
Preferably the inner profile has a sloped surface inclined in the direction toward the outside away from the sash window so as to tend to drain moisture outwardly.
Preferably the inner and outer profiles each have a sloped surface inclined in the direction toward the outside away from the sash window so as to tend to drain moisture outwardly, the surfaces lying in contact.
Preferably the inner profile has a plurality of walls extending outwardly from the sash window, each of the walls having a drain hole therethrough.
Preferably the inner profile has at least three drain holes therein at spaced positions therealong, with one at each end and at least one intermediate the ends.
Preferably the above system also includes a sash window for mounting in the frame formed by the combination of profiles comprising:
Preferably first and second strips preclude the requirement for drainage from the frame. The strips can be formed by two sided tape or by an extruded bead of a suitable sealant material.
Preferably the coupling elements comprise a lip on the separate window stop wall and a recess on the frame member outwardly of inwardly facing surface.
Preferably the frame member includes a side wall and an inner support wall parallel to the side wall both arranged at right angles to the inwardly facing surface with the recess having an open mouth at the side wall and a base supported by the inner support wall.
Preferably the separate window stop wall includes a bottom leg substantially parallel to the inwardly facing surface outwardly thereof for extending into the recess.
Preferably the structural portion has three weather strip channels therein arranged with two in an outer wall parallel to the inwardly facing surface and the third in a side wall at right angles to the inwardly facing surface.
Preferably the sealed window unit is defined by three sheets of glass arranged in parallel coextensive arrangement with the spacing strips around the edges thereof defining between each sheet and the next a spacing of at least 0.5 inches.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a combination of window profiles for forming window constructions comprising:
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a combination of window profiles for forming window constructions comprising:
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a sash window for mounting in an outer window frame comprising:
According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a sash window for mounting in an outer window frame comprising:
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
The system according to the present invention basically comprises five separate components to form the major parts of the two separate window systems defining a horizontal slider as shown in cross-section in
In
In
In
In
The outer profile 10 shown in
The base wall 16 is inclined at an angle A to the inside/outside direction so that it inclines gradually downwardly toward the outside to act as a drain wall as described hereinafter. The base wall 16 is connected to the outer wall 19 by a plurality of connecting walls 23 which extend in the inner-outer direction. At the center of the base wall 16 is defined a recess 24 with a narrow mouth 25 providing an entry way into a hollow interior 26.
The inside wall 17 is a double wall defined by inside and outside wall members 17A and 17B respectively to provide a stiffened structure. At the top of the inside wall 17 is provided a weather strip channel 27 on the outer surface of the inside wall facing towards the outside of the building so the weather strip inserted into the weather strip channel can engage a sash window described hereinafter. The outside surface of the inside wall 17 includes a shoulder 28 which is generally V-shaped so that is has one surface facing outwardly which is at right angles to the inner/outer direction and another surface facing inwardly which is inclined. In this way the shoulder 28 acts as a snap receptacle so that a co-operating element can slide over the incline surface while moving in the outer direction until it engages over the outer surface where upon it is held against movement in the inner direction.
The outside wall 18 includes an inclined section 18A which connects to the base wall 16 together with a section 18B which lies in the inner/outer direction. The section 18A is supported by an inside support portion 18C which defines an inclined surface 18D which can provide a sill or water shedding surface on the outside of the building. The section 18B is a single wall and carries a shoulder 29 symmetrical to the shoulder 28 at the same height along to outside wall so that the two shoulders 28 and 29 face toward one another into the receiving channel 15. A channel outside the outside wall 18 as a receptacle for a screen frame (not shown).
The first inner profile 11 shown in
The inner profile 11 has an inside wall projecting inwardly from the base wall 31 to a top flange 35. The inner profile 11 has an outside wall 36 projecting inwardly form the base wall. The inside wall 34 includes a notch or recess 37 which matches the shoulder 28 on the inside wall of the outer profile 10. Symmetrically there is provided a notch or recess 38 in the outside wall 36 which symmetrically receives and matches the shoulder 29 on the outside wall 18.
Thus it would be appreciated that the inner profile 11 can be inserted into the outer profile 10 either by a snap action forcing the inner profile in the outer direction into the receiving channel so that the shoulders engage into the notches and the bead engages into the receptacle or the same position can be obtained by a sliding action of one profile relative to the other.
When the inner and outer profiles are so assembled, they form an integral structure defining a window frame for receiving the sash windows as described in more detail hereinafter.
It will be appreciated that, when the inner and outer profiles are formed into a frame, the inner and outer profiles when assembled are cut to form a mitre joint at the corners of the frame so that four such frame sections defined by the inner and outer profiles are welded together or bonded together at the corner joint by a mitre joint section. Thus the welding action causes the edges of the top and bottom frame sections to be fastened to edges of the side frame sections to form the rectangular frame structure. This welding action fastens the inner profile and the outer profile at fixed positions relative to one another to form integral structure.
The inner profile 11 includes a transverse wall 40 which is connected to the base wall 31 by a plurality of support walls 41 extending generally at right angles to the transverse wall 40. Inwardly of the transverse wall 40 is defined a first channel 42 adjacent the inside wall 34 and the second channel 43 adjacent the outside wall 36. These channels are separated by center wall portion 44 extending at right angles to the transverse wall 40. The channels 42 and 43 are partly closed by upper flanges 45, 46 and 47 so that the channel 42 is partly closed by the flange 35 at the inner end of the inside wall 34 and by the flange 46. The channel 43 is partly closed by the flange 45 and by a flange 47 at the inner end of the outside wall 36.
The channels 42 and 43 provide receptacles for the operating components of the double-hung sash window as described hereinafter. The flanges 35, 45, 46 and 47 provides supports for the sashes themselves as described hereinafter. The walls supporting the flanges and defining the channels are arranged to provide double thickness where necessary to provide the sufficient strength for the frame structure to carry out its structural requirements thus supporting the sash windows. A stop 48 extends inwardly from the inner end of the wall 36 at the outside end of the flange 47 to provide a stop for the outside one of the two sash windows as described hereinafter. A symmetrical stop 48A is provided for the inside one of the two sash windows.
Turning now to the second inner profile 12 shown in
The second inner profile includes also an inwardly extending wall section 44, defined by parallel twin walls 44C and 44D providing a space 44B therebetween, located midway between the edges 40B and 40A so as to define with the inside wall 17 a first receiving channel and with the outside wall 18 a second receiving channel. The inwardly extending wall portion 44 includes a weather strip channel 45 which faces toward the outside thus matching the channel 27 of the inside wall 17.
The sash profile 13 shown in
The sash profile 13 includes a structural frame section 46A which is generally rectangular an includes an outer wall 47A, an inner wall 48B, an inside wall 49 and an outside wall 50. These four walls define a generally rectangular structure, the structural strength of the which is increased by supporting walls 51 extending at right angles to the inner and outer walls and parallel to the inside and outside walls. There provided three weather strip channels 52, 53 and 54. The channels 53 and 54 are arranged at the outside and inside edges respectively of the outer wall 47. The channel 52 is arranged in the outside wall 50 adjacent the outer wall 47.
The sash profile 13 further includes a glass stop 50A forming an extension of the outside wall 50 extending above the inner wall 48 to a height to receive a sealed window unit of a conventional construction. The separate glass stop 14 thus is arranged to co-operate with the fixed it integral glass stop 50A to provide the channel for the sealed window unit. The separate glass stop 14 of
This is shown as an enlargement in
Thus the leg 57 is inserted by locating the wall 56 parallel to the inside surface of the glass of the sealed window unit and then by moving the wall 56 while remaining parallel to the glass in the outside direction so as to push the leg 57 and its tip 58 into the recess 55 until the shoulder 62 snaps over the abutment 63. This movement is thus wholly in the direction at right angles to the glass surface while the wall 56 remains parallel to the glass surface.
In
Turing now to
Thus the outer frame defined by the common outer profile 10 and the second inner profile 12 forms a rectangular frame structure, one corner of which is shown in
Thus when assembled the outer frame defines a first outside slider channel 67 and the second inside slider channel 68. The outside channel 67 is defined by the outside wall 18 and by the wall 44A which carries the weather strip channel 45. The inside channel 68 is defined by the inside wall 17 which carries the weather strip channel 27 and by the inside surface of the wall 44A.
Thus the slider frame defined by the sash frame 13 and the glass stop 14 or the supplemented glass stop 14A as required contains a sealed window unit 70 of a conventional nature.
The sealed window 70 is of a conventional nature defined by three sheets of glass indicated at 71, 72 and 73. The three sheets are separated by two sets of spacers 74 and 75 which are arranged around the edges of the sheets leaving the inner area of the sheets open in conventional manner. Conventional techniques are well known to one skilled in the art for manufacturing such a sealed window unit by which the glass sheets are attached to the spaces and the whole structure is connected together to form a rigid rectangular unit with the edges sealed to prevent penetration of air into the areas between the sheets. Dual pane units can be used including only a single spacer arrangement and two sheets. However it is preferred that a tri-pane construction is formed using three panes with two spacer arrangements. In order to provide a conventionally suitable tri-pane unit, the glass sheets have a thickness of the order ⅜ inch and the spacing between the sheets is at least 0.5 inches leading to a total space between the inside surface of the glass and the outside surface of the glass are at least 2.0 inches. This ensures acceptable levels on insulation. In order to receive such a tri-pane construction within the sash window frame, the inner wall 48 has a width substantially matching the width of the sealed window unit so that when the separate glass stop 14 is inserted into the slot in the structural part 46 of the sash frame 14, the outside surface 77 of the glass butts against the lip 50B at the inner end of the fixed stop 50A clamping, between the outside surface 77 of the glass and the inside surface of the fixed stop, a bead or strip 78 of a sealant material. Symmetrically a second bead or strip 79 of a sealant material is inserted between the moveable stop 14 and the inside surface 80 of the glass.
The bead or strip 78, 79 can be formed as a extruded bead of a sealant which has adhesive properties or can be formed as a strip of double sided tape which acts also as a sealant and a adhesive. The use if such strips of adhesive on both sides of the sealed window unit ensures that both glass surfaces are sealed to the respective surface of the respective stop to prevent any moisture from penetrating along the glass into interior of the frame that is between the sealed window unit and the wall 48. As moisture penetration is prevented, there is no necessity for any drainage action in this area. The avoidance of drainage also of course avoids air penetration so that the sealed window is entirely sealed to its exterior frame to prevent air penetration and moisture penetration.
The ability to use adhesive on both surfaces is obtained form the fact that the movement of the movable stop 14 is directly toward the surface 80 of the glass without any pivoting or sliding action required so it can be moved directly at right angles to the glass while remaining parallel to the glass so it can be pressed against the bead or strip of adhesive which sits on the glass or sits on the inside surface of the stop. In this way the strip or bead can have a highly aggressive adhesive effect since it is not required to shift or adjust in view of the direct right angle movement. The leg 57 can thus simply be tapped into place into its channel squeezing the strip or bead of adhesive to provide the required sealing effect.
The sash frame of the exterior of the structural element 46 is sealed between the outside and the inside by four weather strip elements. Thus there is a weather strip element carried in the channel 27 and the wall 17. Thus there are weather strips carried in the channels 52, 53 and 54 so there is prevented for penetrating from the outside to the inside by each of the four weather strips. Each of the weather strips is of a conventional nature including a central blade or film together with fibrous elements on either side of the central blade. This conventional construction provides an effecting sealing action.
At the center between the two sliding sash windows is provided an interconnection system generally indicated at 82 which is of a conventional nature and provides the sealing elements between the two sash frames and also the locking elements between the two sash frames. As these components are well known to one skilled in the art and do not form part of the present invention, no further detail will be provided herein.
In addition the frame as previously described provides the channel 30 at the outside which receives a bug screen 30A carried in frame members 30B. Yet further the frame members of the sash frame are structurally supported by metal reinforcement members 83 again of a conventional nature.
In
As shown in
In addition more drainage holes can be provided at a longitudinally spaced positions along the inner profile as indicated at 41B2 so the holes can be provided adjacent the mitre joints and at positions intermediate the ends. Thus for example there may be three drainage holes 41B located one at each end and one 41B2 at the center. These drainage holes can therefore co-operate with a single slot 18F or with slots at each end if required.
Also visible in
Turing now to
Turning now to
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the Claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
