Movable Roof Window Having A Pyramidal Frame Construction

Abstract

A roof window includes support beams forming a pyramidal frame structure having an upper top roof and individually movable parallel trapezium-shaped roof or window sections. Each section can be moved between an open and a closed position, an upper guide extending between the base of a side of the pyramid and the top roof and a lower guide projecting outwardly from the said base being provided so as to cooperate with the upper and bottom portions, respectively, of the section. The guides form an angle with each other so that the section performs a combined displacing and swinging movement between its open and closed positions. Seals are provided between the sections and the frame structure. The lower guide is mounted or capable of being mounted on the roof of a building structure supporting the frame structure. The drive for the section may include a wire, a chain or the like extending along the upper guide and connected with the upper portion of the sections and passing over end wheels arranged at the base of the frame structure or in the top roof. At least one of the wheels and preferably the one in the top roof is actuated by a drive motor. The seal includes sealing strips which extend along the side edges of the sections and cooperate with corresponding strips jutting from adjacent sections, said strips being of such configuration that, when the sections are in closed position, they present both an upper and a lower contact line with an insulating space therebetween. In the top roof is arranged a ventilation line provided with a fan which prevents misting or condensation in the region beneath the top roof when the sections are in closed position.

Description

The present invention relates to a roof window which includes support beams forming a pyramidal frame structure having an upper top roof and individually movable parallel trapezium-shaped roof or window sections provided with sealing means and which can be moved between an open and closed position by actuation of drive means.

Roof windows of the type specified can be used for a variety of purposes, and for instance may be adapted to cover an open space surrounded by a number of structures (as in the case of an atrium), or be arranged in connection with a winter garden or the like.

Owing the the great weight of the window sections, the section drive means in roof windows of the aforementioned type known to the art are highly expensive and are difficult to install, since the necessity of tight sealing of the sections when closed places high requirements of accuracy on the sections and the installation thereof. Consequently it is impossible to deliver the roof structure as a unit, ready for installation, but that it must be adapted in each particular instance to prevailing circumstances. The sealing means used hitherto must also take up high loads, causing risk of damage or deformation of the seals.

These disadvantages are eliminated by means of the present invention, which is mainly characterized by an upper guide means extending between the base of a side of the pyramid and the top roof, and intended to cooperate with the upper portion of one section, and by a lower guide means projecting outwardly from the said base and intended to cooperate with the lower portion of the section, said guide means forming an angle with each other so that from its open position, actuated by drive means, the section performs a combined displacing and swinging movement to the closed position, in which sealing means seal against the frame structure and/or adjacent sections located in the closed position.

The displacement and swinging movements executed by the sections and controlled by the guide means require but little power in spite of their great weight, whereby both the capital coasts and operation costs of the drive means are maintained at a low level. In practice the aforesaid movement of the sections can be effected with worm gear motors with a rating of one-third horsepower. The guide means take up a considerably portion of the weight of the sections, thus relieving the sealing means, which can be constructed in a manner which provides for good sealing and good insulation.

Furthermore, the sections move and function in an advantageous manner independently of one another, because the upper portion of the sections when moving from closed position are swung downwards, to bring the upper portion out of engagement with the frame structure and possible outwardly projecting portions of adjacent sections.

Another advantage is that the frame structure and sections with associated guide means can be formed as a separate unit capable of being installed in desired locations, e.g. over an open space surrounded by a number of building structures, the roofs of said building structures suitably supporting the lower guide means.

It is preferred that shafts, movable along the lower guide means and suitably provided with wheels or rollers to facilitate the displacing movements of the sections are arranged to form pivot shafts for the swinging movements of the sections.

When the transparent roof window sections are subjected to strong sunlight , vapor and condensation readily form at the upper portion of the sections. To eliminate this, the upper top roof of the frame structure is provided, in accordance with an expedient design thereof, with a ventilating means provided with a fan or blower. Accordingly, the fan motor is suitably adapted to cooperate with the movable sections so that, when said sections are in closed position, the fan motor is automatically switched on and off in response to climate-sensing and indicating means, such as temperature and/or humidity gauges, arranged in the top roof.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, additional characterizing features of the invention being disclosed in conjunction therewith. In the drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an arrangement of the invention, showing roof section in movement between the open and closed position,

FIG. 2 is a side view of an upper guide means provided with a roof section drive means,

FIG. 3 is a section along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2,

FIGS. 4 and 5 are principal sketches of two different types of drive means,

FIG. 6 is a section in enlarged scale through an upper guide means provided with a drive means of the type shown in FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 shows an example of a seal between one section and the frame structure,

FIG. 8 illustrates a portion of a lower guide means and the seal between the lower portion of a section and the frame structure,

FIG. 9 shows an alternative positioning of the drive means,

FIG. 10 is a cross section of a modification in which the drive motors of the sections are mounted in the top roof, and

FIG. 11 shows a modified sealing arrangement for the sections.

In FIG. 1 there is shown a roof or roof structure 1 including a pyramidal frame structure consisting of support beams 2 and securely supporting at its upper portion an insulated top roof 3. Positioned relative to the frame structure are parallel trapezium-shaped roof or window sections 4 constructed of four pieces of transparent material and adapted for movement independently of each other. The sections are movable between an open position in which the sections rest completely or partially on a structure surrounding the roof window 1, for instance the essentially planar roof window 1, for instance roofs of a number of angularly positioned building structures which define an atrium, over which the pyramidal frame structure is mounted, and a closed position in which the sections form a substantial portion of the sides of the pyramid. To provide for movement of the sections there are provided upper and lower guide means 5,6 which are so constructed that the sections execute a combined displacement and swinging movement.

For each section 4 there is arranged a central upper guide means 5 which extends between the center portion of the pyramid side in question and the top roof, under which the guide means slightly projects, and two lower guide means 6 which project out from the base portion of the pyramid and, for instance, rest on an essentially horizontal roof 7 of a building body (not shown) supporting a frame structure.

Arranged for movement along the lower guide means 6 are shafts 8, mounted at the base portions of the sections 4, which carry wheels or rollers 9 to facilitate the displacement movement, while simultaneously the shafts 8 serve as pivot shafts for the swinging movements of the sections.

The upper guide means may be designed to support the drive means for effecting movement of the sections. In an embodiment such as that illustrated in FIGS. 2--4 such a drive means may include an endless wire or chain 12 which extends over upper and lower wheels or rollers 13,14 of which the lower, 14, is operatively connected with a worm gear motor 15. The wires or chains 12 are joined to the top portions of the sections in an appropriate manner. In accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3, the upper guide means 5 may enclose a plastic extrusion or profiled section 5a having a groove for the lower portion of the wire or chain 12. At its upper portion the guide means presents outwardly projecting angled guide plates 5b, which ensure that the rollers 20, which are journaled to the sections and roll along the upper portion of the guide means 5, are retained in position during movement along the guide means, even though the section should be subjected to considerable wind forces or the like. Positioned between the trunnion 4a supporting shafts 4b of rollers 20 and the upper portion of the guide means 5 is a strip 21 of rubber or the like.

The alternative drive means shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 consists of a worm or screw 17 connected to the output shaft of a worm gear motor 16 and engaging a nut 18 affixed to a section. This alternative drive means is quieter in operation than the aforedescribed drive means but less efficient.

Irrespective of the drive means employed, the sections will swing upwards during the final phase of movement to closed position, to abut smoothly sealing means positioned around the frame structure. In a corresponding manner the sections are swung downwards at the beginning of the movement to open position, it being possible to open the sections separately, independently of one another and without wear on the sealing means.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a number of preferred ways in which sealing is effected between the sections and the frame structure. As is evident from FIG. 2, the upper guide means 5 extends slightly in under the top roof 3 so that the latter will overlap the sections when these are in closed position, thus enabling rain water to be conducted away in a simple manner.

FIG. 7 illustrates a sealing strip 28, made of rubber, for instance, mounted to a section 4 by means of an L-shaped plate 27 and a screw 27a, the strip 28 cooperating with a strip 29, made for instance of metal and projecting outwardly from a support beam 2. The strip 28 presents a curvature of such form that a lower portion 28b thereof bears against a lowerportion of the side edge of the frame 2, there being formed between the frame 2, the metal strip 29 and the sealing strip 28 a restricted space 30 which serves as an insulator. This construction of the sealing element 28 affords both good sealing and good insulation, simultaneously as it enables the sections to move freely, independently of one another, between open and closed position.

FIG. 8 illustrates the arrangement of a seal at the base portions of the sections. In this instance a corner of the frame structure 2 facing a section presents on both side edges of the corner two longitudinally extending seal elements 32, against which the base portion of the section 4 bears in closed position. Alternatively, either one or both of the sealing elements 32 may be mounted on the movable roof section. In the embodiment of FIG. 9 a drive means is used, e.g. an electric motor, which cooperates with a wire or chain extending along the roof 7 to a building structure supporting the frame structure. The lower edge portion of the section 4 is connected to the drive means. In this way it becomes unnecessary to arrange drive means which extend along the frame structure, which affords a considerable simplification of the system.

As shown in FIG. 1, there is arranged in the top roof 3 a ventilation means 35 provided with a fan (not shown), which when the sections are closed prevents misting of and condensation forming on the inside of the upper portion of the sections when the roof or roof window is exposed to strong sunlight. The fan motor may be adapted to cooperate with the sections and special indicating means so that when the sections are in closed position the fan is automatically switched on if the temperature and/or humidity beneath the top roof exceeds certain determined values.

FIG. 10, which consists of two parts, illustrates a modified arrangement. In this arrangement, worm gear motors 15' are arranged beneath the top roof 3,4, each of the motors actuating, via an elastic coupling 33, an upper end wheel 13 for a chain 12 which is connected with the upper portion of section 4. The tension of the chain can be adjusted by means of a screw-nut connection 34,35. The motor 15' is mounted on a bracket 36 attached to the top roof 3.

FIG. 11 illustrates a modified seal arrangement for the side edges of the sections 4. In this arrangement, a wooden strip 40 rests on the frame element 4a of sections 4, there being firmly attached to said strip 40 a thin plate 41 which protrudes outwardly somewhat and presents a fold 41a and a downwardly directed portion whose lower end presents a folded rubber sealing element 42 vulcanized thereon. Immediately adjacent the folding edge 41a are secured two phosphor bronze lips 44, which cooperate with corresponding lips on adjacent sections, to provide two upper contact surfaces at said lips 44 and one lower contact surface at the rubber strips 42. A foam plastic material is suitably inserted in the space defined by the frame 4a, the wooden strip 40 and the plate 41. There is also provided in this embodiment an insulating space between the upper and lower points of contact of the seal means.

In addition to the aforementioned advantages, it can be mentioned that the arrangement of the invention can be readily adapted for manual operation, which is of particular advantage should the drive system normally used fail. The sections can be readily adapted to actuate limit switches during their closing and opening movements to start and stop the drive motors. In a simple alternative, driving means, a central drive motor is arranged at the top roof which, via four angled shafts, connects with, for instance, a screw for the displacement movements of the sections. In this arrangement there is thus required only one drive motor, common to several sections. The electrical conductors associated with the drive and fan system can be easily arranged within the support beams forming the frame structure or in the upper section guide means.

Claims

We claim:

1. A roof closure comprising support beams forming a pyramidal frame structure having upwardly inclined sides, a plurality of trapezium-shaped closure members each adapted to lie parallel on and close one side of said frame structure, upper guide means extending between the base and summit of at least one side of the frame structure to guide an upper portion of a said closure member in a direction parallel to said at least one side, lower guide means projecting outwardly from said base for guiding a lower portion of said at least one closure member in a direction at an oblique angle to the first-named direction, and drive means for raising and lowering said at least one section thereby respectively to close and open said at least one side of the frame structure with said upper portion of said at least one closure member moving along said upper guide means and said lower portion of said closure member moving along said lower guide means.

2. A roof closure as claimed in claim 1, and a shaft on said lower portion of said at least one closure member and movable along said lower guide means to provide a pivot for swinging movement of said at least one closure member relative to said lower guide means.

3. A roof closure as claimed in claim 2, and antifriction means on said shaft engageable with said said lower guide means.

4. A roof closure as claimed in claim 1, said lower guide means being mounted on the roof of a building structure that supports said frame structure.

5. A roof closure as claimed in claim 1, said drive means comprising an endless flexible member parallel to said first-named direction.

6. A roof closure as claimed in claim 1, said drive means comprising a rotatable screw that extends along said upper guide means and that has screw-threaded engagement with said at least one closure member.

7. A roof closure as claimed in claim 1, said drive means comprising a chain disposed parallel to said lower guide means and connected with said lower portion of said at least one closure member.

8. A roof closure as claimed in claim 1, and sealing strips that extend along the side edges of said at least one closure member and that engage sealing strips projecting from adjacent said closure members, said sealing strips in the closed position of their respective closure members having upper and lower lines of contact with each other that define an insulating space therebetween.

9. A roof closure as claimed in claim 1, said upper guide means projecting in under a lower edge of an upper portion of a roof of a building thereby to seal said at least one closure member against said roof.

10. A roof closure as claimed in claim 1, said frame structure, guide means and closure members being in unitary assembly for installation over existing buildings.