Profile Member For Windows, Doors, Facades, Or The Like

Abstract

A profile member for windows, doors or the like formed by a hollow closed metal section having a shell of synthetic material providing one or more projections including a glaze projection for accomodating a glass pane, a connecting projection which facilitates connection of the member to a structural building part, and an abutment projection for effecting contact producing closure with another profile member.

Description

This invention relates to a profile member for windows, doors, facades, or the like, with a hollow metal section and a shell of a synthetic material surrounding this metal section, which shell has one or more fillet-shaped projections.

Such profile members wherein the hollow metal section forms a supporting core and the plastic shell of, for example, soft PVC, ensures that the profile members are resistant to corrosion and are heat-insulated, are known in a great variety of designs (German Utility Model No. 1,720,617, British Pat. No. 989,304). However, all of these systems have the disadvantage in common that the number of basic profiles required is relatively large, and that, moreover, numerous auxiliary profiles are necessary for combining these basic profiles into a flawless, tight connection to the structural component; these auxiliary profiles do not only render the manufacture and storage of the profile members difficult, but also the assembly thereof correspondingly is complicated, and thus uneconomical. Another factor which makes such designs expensive is also that the conventional systems, due to their profile configuration and the chamber size resulting therefrom, require fittings which must be specially manufactured for this purpose.

Additionally, the elastic sealing lips of soft PVC attached by extrusion, which are customary in these systems for internal and external sealing, become brittle in the course of time, so that, especially in the case of larger window sashes having larger sagging effects, the flawless seal against wind and water is not ensured any more, under unfavorable conditions. The only alternative is to replace the sealing lips subsequently with those of another elastic material, by means of expensive repair work.

The invention is based on the problem of eliminating the above-mentioned disadvantages of the known profile members. In accordance with the invention, this problem is solved by providing

A. A GLAZE PROJECTION WITH A CONTOUR WHICH IS SAWTOOTH-SHAPED-- AS SEEN IN CROSS SECTION-- ON THE SIDE FACING A POSSIBLE GLAZING; AND/OR

B. A CONNECTING PROJECTION WITH LEGS PREFERABLY ORIENTED IN PARALLEL WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, WHICH LEGS EXHIBIT, ON THEIR FREE ENDS, FILLET-SHAPED THICKENED PORTIONS WHICH ARE DIRECTED TOWARD EACH OTHER; AND/OR

C. AN ABUTMENT PROJECTION WITH AN UNDERCUT GROOVE FORMED ON THE SIDE FACING A POSSIBLE COUNTER PROFILE MEMBER AND EXTENDING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE PROFILE MEMBER, AS WELL AS A GROOVE FORMED IN THE SAME OR IN A SIMILAR MANNER ON THE SIDE OF THE PLASTIC SHALL FACING THE POSSIBLE COUNTER PROFILE MEMBER, OPTIONALLY IN THE ZONE OF A FILLET-SHAPED REINFORCEMENT.

By the above features, the objective is attained that the profile member, in order to reduce the number of basic and auxiliary profile members, can be utilized in as versatile a fashion as possible and that, on the other hand, a flawless seal is ensured with certainty with respect to the structural component, the glazing, and between the frame and sash of a window or of a door, even under very unfavorable conditions.

Depending on the special purposes for which the profile members are employed, it is possible to vary the number and type of the projections formed at the profile member in a variety of ways, i.e., it is possible, in addition to providing only one, or all three, of the above-mentioned projections, to form the profile member, for example, also with two glaze projections disposed on different sides of the plastic shell, or also with three connecting projections. Of course, the projections can be manufactured either integrally with the plastic shell, or also independently thereof, in which latter case they are joined to the shell subsequently, for example, by cementing or welding. However, in view of the objective to render the assembly as simple as possible and obtain as high a strength as possible with small cross-sectional dimensions, an integral manufacture is preferably contemplated, especially since the manufacturing effort required for this purpose is relatively small, in view of the low number of required basic profiles.

In a suitable embodiment of the invention, it is furthermore suggested to fashion the glaze projection in a conventional manner as a bipartite profile section, one part of which is mounted to the profile member by screws, by cementing, or the like, and exhibits a hollow cross section which is accessible from the outside and widens toward the inside. The other part can be inserted into this hollow section by means of two outwardly directed and correspondingly dimensioned, fillet-shaped lugs, in the manner of a snap connection. Furthermore, it is suggested to form this other part so that it rests, on its side facing away from the glazing, on the part directly mounted to the profile member and/or on the profile member itself, optionally by means of an additional spacer strip.

The advantage connected therewith resides in that the other part, also called the glass molding, due to the fact that the spacing between the snap connection and the supporting site is selected to be as large as possible, is safely prevented from executing even minor tilting motions directed away from the glass; consequently, any detachment of the putty is reliably prevented. A further advantage attained in case of an external glazing of a window, i.e., wherein the glass strip is on the outside and thus can be exposed to quite an intense heat radiation in certain cases, resides in the fact that the snap connection proper is shielded from heat radiation by the spacer strip disposed in front thereof. As a consequence, any undue heating of the synthetic material in the zone of the snap connection, which could in certain cases entail a detachment of the snap connection due to the thermal expansion connected therewith, is avoided with certainty.

In accordance with another suggestion of the invention, the provision is made cementing provide the two legs of the connecting projection, on each of their sides facing each other, with an additional fillet-shaped thickened portion facing the other portion on the other leg. This is for the purpose of making it possible to hold auxiliary profile members inserted between the two additional thickened portions, securely by cementing or by means of screws. In accordance with the invention, it is also possible, instead, to connect the two legs of the connecting projection by means of a web, so that either the auxiliary profile members are securely held, in the manner of a snap connection, between this web and the fillet-shaped thickened portions formed on the free ends of the legs, or a slot of an appropriate width is milled subsequently into the web, which slot makes it possible to mount the auxiliary profile members by cementing or by a threaded connection.

It is an object of the present invention to provide profile members for windows, doors, facades and the like which avoids the disadvantages inherent in known structures of the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide profile members of the type described having a generally more universally adaptable configuration.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide profile members which require a minimum number of auxiliary profiles, thereby facilitating storage and assembly.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide profile members which are of simple configuration and therefore easily and economically manufactured.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide profile members having a configuration which is capable of use, for the most with, standard fittings.

These and other objects features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description thereof, when taken with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the frame in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sash in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the frame attached to a wall, and a sash with glazing in cooperation with the frame;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the frame with a window sill connection and a sash in cooperation with the frame;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a combination of two basic profile members;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a somewhat different combination of two basic profile members;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a frame and a sash with an interposed auxiliary profile member; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a combination of two sash members with an auxiliary profile member and glazing.

In the various views of the drawings like reference numerals have been used to designate corresponding elements wherever possible.

The blind frame profile member 1, shown in FIG. 1, has a rectangular hollow core 2 of, for example, steel or aluminum, surrounded by the shell 3 of a synthetic material, for example soft PVC. Of course, depending on the requirements, it is also possible to employ a hollow core 2 of a different cross section, i.e., for example, a square, round, or also oval core. On one longitudinal side of the plastic shell 3, the two connecting projections 4 are formed, the legs 5 and 6 of which are, in this instance, parallel to each other, but which can, basically, also be disposed so that they are inclined with respect to each other. On their free ends, the legs exhibit the fillet-shaped thickened portions 7 and 8, facing each other, with a gap being left, so that the groove 10 is formed in conjunction with the web 9 extending at a spacing from these thickened portions and connecting the two legs 5 and 6 with each other; this groove has a T-shaped cross section.

The leg 5 of the connecting projection 4 continues without interruption into the surface 11 of the plastic shell 3, in order to obtain a profile member having as smooth a surface as possible. However, it is, of course, also possible to deviate from this design; in other words, the projection could be arranged so that it projects beyond this surface 11, or is recessed with respect thereto, if this should be advantageous. The length of the legs 5 and 6 is dimensioned so that there is sufficient space for the provision of commercially available fittings.

On the side of the plastic shell 3 opposite to the connecting projections 4, the abutment projection 12 is arranged, which latter likewise continues without interruption into the surface 11, like the connecting projections 4; however, here again, it is possible to deviate from this design. On the side facing away from the surface 11, the abutment projection 12 has, at its free end, the fillet-shaped extension 13 serving as the stop member for any counter profile which may be provided. Furthermore, on the same side, the groove 14 is formed, which is undercut and extends in the longitudinal direction of the profile member. The cross section of this groove can be, for example, T-shaped or dovetail-shaped, and this groove serves for the insertion of a separately manufactured elastic seal, which latter rests against the counter profile member, together with the extension 13.

On the side of the plastic shell 3 facing the extension 13, the fillet-shaped thickened portion 15 is formed, provided with the undercut groove 16 extending in the longitudinal direction of the profile member. The shape and dimensions of this groove 16 are adapted to the separately manufactured, elastic central seal which is held therein. The reinforcement or thickened portion 15 can be omitted, if the plastic shell 3 is initially made with such a thick wall that the groove 16 can be formed therein without any difficulties. Finally, on the same side of the plastic shell 3, the fillet-shaped projection 17 is provided serving as the contact surface for the seal of the counter profile member.

The sash profile member 18, shown in FIG. 2, likewise exhibits a supporting hollow metal core 2 and a shell 3 of a synthetic material, which shell is provided, on one longitudinal side thereof, with the abutment projection 12, the groove 16 formed in the reinforced member 15, and the projection 17. Diagonally opposite to the abutment projection 12, the glazing projection 19 is arranged, which latter continues, just as the other projections, without interruption into the surface 11 of the plastic shell 3, but which can just as well be provided offset with respect to this surface. In the same manner, it is also possible to arrange the glazing projection 19 on the other edge of the same side of the plastic shell 3. On the side facing away from the surface 11, the glazing projection 19 is provided with the sawtooth-shaped contour 20-- as seen in cross section-- advantageously ensuring a satisfactory and secure form-fitting connection not only with the putty of the glazing, but optionally also with the permanently elastic sealing mass covering the same. In this connection, the flanks of the individual teeth of the contour portion 20 have differing inclinations, the flanks facing the free end of the glazing projection 19 being more inclined than the flanks facing away therefrom, so that on the basis of this barb effect a further improvement of the form-fitting connection with the putty and the sealing mass is obtained.

According to FIG. 3, the blind frame profile member 1 is attached to the wall 21 of the structural component by means of the doubly bent flat irons 22 disposed at an appropriate spacing from each other. It is also possible, in place thereof, depending on the requirements, to effect the mounting, for example, by means of appropriately dimensioned screws penetrating the blind frame profile member 1 from the side facing away from the wall 21 and held in the wall 21 by dowels or plugs. In order to be able to make a simple adaptation to varying distances between the wall 21 and the window or door soffit 23, when using angled flat irons 22, the provision can moreover be made that the web 24 of the flat irons 22 is adjustable in its length.

The flawless connection of the blind frame profile member 1 to the plaster layer 25 applied to the inside of the wall 21 is achieved by means of the L-shaped plaster connection profile member 26, which latter is made of metal or also of a synthetic material. One leg of this L-shaped connection profile member is dimensioned in its length and width so that the profile member 26 can reliably be mounted, with the aid of the lug-type projections formed on this leg, in the groove 10 of the connecting projection 4 adjoining the plaster layer 25, in the manner of a snap connection. The other leg of the profile member 26 disposed in the plaster layer 25 and extending beyond the connecting projection 4 makes it possible to provide a clean, uninterrupted continuance into the plaster layer 25 by removing any excessively used plaster by moving the trowel upwardly along the plaster connection profile member 26.

The gap present on the outside between the wall forming the window or door soffit 23 and the blind frame profile member 1 is reliably closed by the permanently elastic seal 27.

The sash profile member 18 rests against the blind frame profile member 1 and is movable relatively thereto; this sash profile member is, if possible, adapted in its dimensions to the blind frame profile member 1 in such a manner that both abutment projections 12 come in contact with the respective counter profile member. The seal between the two profile members is effected by means of the two central seals 28 manufactured separately from an elastic, for example neoprene-type, synthetic material, which seals are inserted in the grooves 16. The grooves 16 of the two profile members are relatively positioned in such a manner that the central seals 28 contact each other in a flawless sealing fashion, so that a reliable seal is safely ensured even under unfavorable conditions, such as in case of relatively major sagging of the sash frame.

In order to still obtain a satisfactory seal even under especially unfavorable conditions, as they can prevail, under certain circumstances, in the upper floors of high-rise buildings in case of large windows and high wind pressures, the provision can moreover be made in an advantageous manner to combine the twin central seals 28 with an additional elastic internal and/or external seal made of the same or also of a different material as the central seal 28; this is done by inserting an inner elastic seal 29 in the groove 14 of the sash profile member 18 and/or an outer elastic seal 30 in the groove 14 of the blind frame profile member 1. The arrangement of these seals extending around the window or the door is, of course, designed such that the seal is not interrupted at any point by the fittings, which latter are not shown.

On the side of the sash profile member 18 facing away from the blind frame profile member 1, the twin glass pane 31, 32 is disposed between the glaze projection 19 and the glass molding 34 with glass molding support profile member 33; instead of the twin glass pane, it is also possible to choose, in case of lower requirements with respect to heat insulation, freedom of fittings, etc., a simple single glass pane. The glass molding support profile member 33, made of metal or a synthetic material, is connected with the sash profile member 18 in a conventional manner by cementing, by screws, or the like, and serves, in a manner which is likewise known per se, for holding the glass molding 34, which latter is likewise made of metal or a synthetic material and is insertable in the manner of a snap connection. For this purpose, the two legs of the glass molding support profile member 33, which latter exhibits a substantially U-shaped cross section, are angled at their free ends with respect to each other in such a manner that the correspondingly dimensioned glass molding 34, with the two laterally disposed, outwardly pointing, fillet-shaped lugs, is pressed into the glass molding support profile member 33 and can be connected, in a form-fitting manner, with this member 33, under elastic deformation of one member, or also both members. The glass molding 34 extends, on the side facing away from the glass panes 31, 32, beyond the glass molding support profile member 33 and rests, with the spacer strip 35 formed thereat, on the sash profile member 18, whereby an additional fixation of the glass molding 35 is advantageously obtained, on the one hand, and a protection of the snap connection against heat radiation is achieved, on the other hand.

The glass panes 31, 32, held apart by means of the molding 36, likewise made of a synthetic material or of metal, are mounted in the sash frame at several places along their periphery by means of the square- and/or wedge-shaped parts 37, 38, forming the so-called padding members. The glazing 31, 32 is sealed by means of the putty 39 which is securely held in an advantageous manner by the sawtooth-shaped contour 20 of the glaze projection 19, and by the conventional scoring of the glass molding 34. On the side exposed to atmospheric influences, the putty 39 is provided with the durable cover 40, which latter is likewise securely held by the sawtooth-shaped contour 20.

In the window sill connection of the blind frame profile member 1 shown in FIG. 4, the outer window sill 41, exhibiting a substantially L-shaped cross section and being made, for example, of aluminum sheet or zinc plate, or also of a synthetic material, is held in the connecting projection 4 between the additional fillet-shaped thickened portions or, if the connecting projection 4 was, instead, fashioned with a web 9, in the subsequently milled, correspondingly wide slot of the web 9, by means of the screws 42. The window sill 41 rests, with its other leg, on the structural support or building part by way of the sealing intermediate layer 43. The blind frame profile 1 rests on the inner window sill 44 with the other connecting projection 4, which latter is, for the purpose of obtaining a draft-free connection between the window and the structural component, provided subsequently, in a simple manner, with a cutout which allows it to extend around the inner window sill 44 from two sides.

Of course, it is possible to effect numerous other flawless, clean, and tight connections between the structural component and the blind frame profile, by means of the connecting projection 4 of this invention, so that an optimum adaptation to the requirements of each individual case is provided. Likewise, it is, of course, left up to discretion, in case there is no profile member available with a connecting projection 4, to employ instead a profile member having an abutment projection 12 or a glaze projection 19 for the blind frame, and to connect the same to the structural component in a conventional manner.

The combination of two blind frame profile members 1 shown in FIG. 5 serves, for example, as a stationary subdivision for a window, or also for two adjacently disposed doors. The two blind frame profile members 1 are connected with each other by means of screws, not shown, with the interposition of a projection-less, rectangular basic profile member 45 exhibiting a supporting metal core 2 and a plastic shell 3. In this connection, it is advantageously possible to connect the connecting projections 4 of the two blind frame profile members 1 with each other by means of the insert strip 46, the latter being dimensioned so that it is securely held by frictional contact between the thickened portions 7 and 8 of the connecting projections 4. If necessary, any manufacturing tolerances which may be present can be compensated for, by inserting the insert strips 46 to a greater or lesser extent into the groove 10 of the connecting projections 4. The material as well as the color or surface of the insert strips 46 can be selected in dependence on the requirements of each individual case, for example to produce special optical effects.

In FIG. 6, a somewhat different combination of two basic profile members 47 is illustrated, which can be installed, for example, as a fixed subdivision in a facade facing with an intermediate wall or partition extending vertically therefrom. The two basic profile members 47 exhibit on the side on which they face each other, respectively, one connecting projection 4, and are connected with each other by means of screws, not shown, by the interposition of the rectangular basic profile member 45. Contrary to the embodiment of FIG. 5, the basic profile member 45 is disposed so that it is rotated by 90.degree., so that it projects beyond the basic profile members 47 and can be connected to an intermediate wall, not shown. In order to compensate for the fillet-shaped projection 17 formed at the basic profile members 47, the separately manufactured spacer strips 48 of metal or plastic are provided. The connecting projections 4 of the two basic profile members 47 are connected with each other by the insert strip 46, as in FIG. 5. On the sides facing away from each other, the basic profile members 47 exhibit the glaze projections 19.

In FIG. 7, the basic profile members 47 are not rigidly connected with each other; rather, both are disposed so that they are movable relatively to each other. The auxiliary profile member 49, preferably made of hard PVC, is cemented or screwed to the one basic profile member 47 and serves as a stop for the other basic profile member 47. The sealing effect is attained by means of the inner seal 29 and the outer seal 50. The outer seal 50 is formed with a crescent-shaped cross section and sealingly contacts with its rims the two connecting projections 4. The space formed between the connecting projections 4, together with the grooves 10, act advantageously as a turbulence chamber for wind and rain, so that the outer seal 50 is thus stressed to a reduced extent. Such an arrangement of the profile members can be employed, for example, for a casement window or also a two-wing window without fixed subdivision.

For the same purpose, the arrangement can be employed which is shown in FIG. 8, wherein two basic profile members 52 are combined; these members differ from the basic profile members 47 only in that the legs 5 and 6 of the connecting projections 4 are shortened to the length of the projection 17. In conjunction with the auxiliary profile members 52 and 53, preferably made of soft PVC and attached by cementing, which members differ only by the length of one of their legs and serve as an abutment for the respective counter profile member, it is possible in this manner to realize a very small distance between the basic profile members 51, which latter are movable relatively to each other. The sealing effect is achieved by means of elastic seals, not shown, which are installed in undercut grooves 54 of the auxiliary profile members 52 and 53.

The illustrated profile members and profile combinations are, of course, only to be considered as examples. Thus, it is possible, for example, by means of additional auxiliary profile members, or also by means of either cutting off the profile projections of this invention, or by providing cutouts in these projections, to realize numerous other modifications, so that all requirements occurring in practice can be satisfied in an optimum fashion.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to but a single embodiment, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific details thereof, but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as would be apparent to one with normal skill in the pertinent technology.

Claims

We claim:

1. A casement member for supporting windows, doors, facades, or the like on a fixed structure, comprising a hollow metal longitudinal member of generally rectangular cross section, an uninterrupted shell of synthetic plastic material covering said metal member, anchoring means for securing said metal member to said fixed structure in the form of a connecting projection having first and second legs extending as part of said shell from said metal member in parallel relation and having transverse end portions directed toward each other, said connecting projection occupying only a portion of one side of said longitudinal member, and an abutment projection extending as part of said shell from a side of said metal member opposite said connecting projection and having an undercut groove formed therein on one side adjacent to the end thereof and an additional groove in said shell adjacent to said abutment projection, said abutment projection and said connecting projection each having one surface in alignment with a side of said metal member.

2. A structural member as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting projection further includes additional transverse portions extending from said first and second legs toward each other intermediate said end portions and said metal member.

3. A structural member as defined in claim 1 wherein said abutment projection includes a transverse end portion directed toward said additional groove.

4. A structural member as defined in claim 1 wherein at least two spaced connecting projections are provided by said shell extending in alignment on the same side of said member.

5. A structural member as defined in claim 1 wherein a web extends between said first and second legs intermediate the end portions and said metal member.

6. A sash assembly for use in forming a sash for movably supporting windows, doors, facades or the like, comprising a hollow metal longitudinal member of generally rectangular cross section, an uninterrupted shell of synthetic plastic material covering said metal member, a glaze projection extending as part of said shell from said metal member and having a side surface portion which is saw-tooth shaped, an abutment projection extending from said shell and having an undercut groove formed therein on one side adjacent the end thereof, said abutment projection and said glaze projection each having one surface in alignment with a side of said metal member, and a bipartite support arrangement including one substantially U-shaped part removably secured to said metal member at a desired spacing from said glaze projection and a second part secured to said one part by snap connection by means of two outwardly directed lugs, said second part including a support member extending into contact with said shell.

7. A structural member as defined in claim 6 wherein said saw-tooth shaped surface portion is provided by a plurality of non-symmetrical teeth.

8. A structural member as defined in claim 6 wherein said abutment projection includes a transverse end portion directed toward said additional groove.