U.S. patent number 3,791,074 [Application Number 05/176,362] was granted by the patent office on 1974-02-12 for window or door construction.
Invention is credited to Franz Waffenschmidt.
United States Patent |
3,791,074 |
Waffenschmidt |
February 12, 1974 |
WINDOW OR DOOR CONSTRUCTION
Abstract
A wall or other support has an opening in which one or more
frameless glass panes of a window or door are located. The panes
are secured to the adjacent support by hinges which are adjustable
so as to permit adjustment of the pane or panes within the opening,
and which have a portion directly connected with the respective
pane, as by welding or bonding. Suitable latches or similar
securing means are also provided, and at least one component of
such latch or securing means is also directly connected to the
respective pane or panes.
Inventors: |
Waffenschmidt; Franz (Cologne,
DT) |
Family
ID: |
5778176 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/176,362 |
Filed: |
July 27, 1971 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Jul 29, 1970 [DT] |
|
|
2037517 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
49/399;
16/242 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B
7/23 (20130101); E06B 3/02 (20130101); E06B
7/14 (20130101); E05D 15/52 (20130101); E05Y
2800/672 (20130101); Y10T 16/5324 (20150115); E05Y
2900/132 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E05D
15/48 (20060101); E05D 15/52 (20060101); E06B
3/02 (20060101); E06B 7/23 (20060101); E06B
7/14 (20060101); E06B 7/22 (20060101); E05d
007/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;49/381,397,379,382,399,144 ;16/128-135 ;351/153 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Bell; J. Karl
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Striker; Michael S.
Claims
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent is:
1. In a structure of the character described, in combination,
support means having an opening; at least one glass pane in said
opening; mounting means mounting said pane to said support means
for displacement with reference to said opening, said mounting
means comprising at least one unit having a first section mounted
directly on said pane, and a second section mounted on said support
means and connected with said first section for relative
displacement; and adjusting means for permitting positional
adjustment of at least one of said sections so as to at least
reduce the transmission of stresses into said glass pane.
2. In a structure as defined in claim 1, said one section having a
portion provided with a relatively large-area contact face in
contact with and mounted on one side of said glass pane.
3. In a structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said contact face
is adhesively mounted on said glass pane.
4. In a structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said contact face
is welded to said glass pane.
5. In a structure as defined in claim 1, one of said sections
having a pin and the other section having a sleeve normally
surrounding said pin so that said sections together constitute a
hinge; and wherein said adjusting means comprises a spring
surrounding said pin intermediate said sections.
6. In a structure as defined in claim 1, one of said sections
having a pin and the other section having a sleeve normally
surrounding said pin so that said sections together constitute a
hinge; and wherein said adjusting means comprises an elastomeric
cylindrical element interposed between said pin and sleeve so as to
permit relative movement of said sections in direction
longitudinally as well as transversely of said pin.
7. In a structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said pane is a
window pane.
8. In a structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said pane is a
door pane.
9. In a structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjusting
means comprises fastening means for fastening said second section
to said support means in such a manner as to be adjustable relative
to said support means in a plurality of mutually inclined
directions.
10. In a structure as defined in claim 9, said adjusting means
comprising a mounting hole in said second section and a threaded
fastener of substantially smaller cross-sectional area than said
mounting hole, extending through the latter and into said support
means.
11. In a structure as defined in claim 1; and further comprising
elastically yieldable compensating means interposed between said
glass pane and said first section.
12. In a structure as defined in claim 11, said first section
having an outline, and said compensating means comprising at least
one compensating element projecting outwardly beyond said outline
and having edge portions and a thickness which decreases outwardly
in direction towards said edge portions.
13. In a structure as defined in claim 11, said compensating means
comprising at least two compensating elements interposed between
said first section and said pane, and being spaced from one
another.
14. In a structure as defined in claim 13; further comprising a
guide rail mounted on said compensating elements, and a slide rail
slidably guided on said guide rail, said first section being
mounted on said slide rail.
15. In a structure as defined in claim 11, said glass pane having a
projection, and said compensating means comprising at least one
compensating element embracing said projection and interposed
between the same and said first section.
16. In a structure as defined in claim 11, said glass pane having a
depression, and said compensating means comprising at least one
compensating element accommodated in said depression and interposed
between said glass pane and said first section.
17. In a structure of the character described, in combination,
support means having an opening; at least one glass pane in said
opening and subject to expansion and contraction in at least one
direction; mounting means mounting said glass pane to said support
means for displacement with reference to said opening, said
mounting means comprising at least one unit having a first section
mounted directly on said glass pane and a second section mounted on
said support means and connected with said first section for
relative displacement in said one direction; and resilient
adjusting means interposed between said sections and permitting
positional adjustment of said sections relative to one another in
said one direction during expansion and/or contraction of said
glass pane so as to at least reduce the transmission of stresses to
said glass pane.
18. In a structure of the character described, in combination,
support means having an opening; at least one frame-less glass pane
in said opening; a hinge mounting said glass pane in said opening
and comprising a first hinge section fixedly mounted on said
support means, and a cooperating second hinge section directly
mounted on said glass pane; and a resilient compensating element
interposed between said hinge sections so as to compensate for
stresses resulting from differential thermal expansion and/or
contraction of said support means and glass pane.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to window or door
constructions, and more particularly to window or door
constructions wherein the panes are not provided with frames.
Frameless windows are already known, for instance from motor
vehicles. Thus, the small vent window of many motor vehicles are
simply in form of a glass pane without a frame, and which is
provided at certain points with bores through which suitable
connectors are passed which are then engaged with the frame of the
surrounding door. These connectors or hinges, about which the pane
may be pivoted, are rigid. Latching devices are also provided which
are mounted directly on the pane also, again via the aid of
suitable bores provided in the pane, and which cooperate with
suitable cooperating abutment portions on the surrounding door. In
these constructions it is not possible to provide for any
adjustment in the position of the pane in order to compensate for
manufacturing tolerances, nor is there any possibility of
compensating for stresses which may develop as a result of
differential thermal expansion and contraction of the pane and the
surrounding material of the door.
However, frameless windows are by no means exclusive to the motor
vehicle art. Thus, the prior art also contains proposals for
providing frameless windows or doors for buildings. These, however,
are also provided with hinges which do not permit any adjustment or
compensation possibilities. This is of course particularly
disadvantageous in windows and doors--or rather panes of such
windows and doors--used in buildings because the dimensioms of such
panes are much larger than those in motor vehicles, and
consequently stresses which may develop in these panes are likely
to cause correspondingly graver difficulties. Consequently, and in
order to avoid such problems, the prior art provides--in so far as
the use of frameless window and door panes in buildings is
concerned--that more or less wide air gaps be left between the
edges of the panes and the surrounding portions of the building
structure bounding the opening in which the pane or panes is
arranged. As a result the prior-art frameless doors and windows
cannot best be used in the interior of buildings but not as
exterior windows or doors. Moreover, it is not possible to so
modify these prior-art constructions that the panes will tightly
engage the surrounding material of the building, thus making them
suitable for use at the outer sides of a building, because this
would bring with it the danger of destruction of the panes
resulting from stresses caused by differential thermal expansion
and contraction of the panes on the one hand and the surrounding
material of the building on the other hand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, accordingly, a general object of the present invention to
overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.
More particularly it is a general object of the present invention
to provide an improved frameless window and/or door construction
which is not possessed of the aforementioned disadvantages.
A concomitant object of the invention is to provide such an
improved construction in which reliable sealing with respect to the
surrounding material of the support, such as the wall of a
building, can be achieved at all times without any possibility or
danger that stresses might develop in the panes of the pane
utilized in the construction.
In pursuance of the above objects, and of others which will become
apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides, briefly
stated, in a structure of the character here described which
comprises support means having an opening, at least one pane in
this opening, and mounting means mounting the pane to the support
means for displacement with reference to the opening. The mounting
means comprises at least one unit having a first section mounted
directly on the pane, a second section mounted on the support means
and connected with the first section for relative displacement, and
adjusting means for positional adjustment of at least one of the
sections.
In this manner the pane or panes can be adjusted with reference to
the opening and the support means in order to compensate for
existing problems, for instance for manufacturing tolerances, and
on the other hand the pane or panes can move to a limited extent
even when in a position closing the opening, for instance if
thermal expansion or contraction should occur, without thereby
incurring the development of stresses and the possibility of
destruction.
It is particularly advantageous according to a concept of the
invention to provide the section of the unit which is to be
directly connected with the pane or panes with a large-area contact
face which is adhesively bonded or welded to one side of the pane.
Furthermore, latching units can also be provided for latching the
pane in position with respect to the support means, and can
similarly have large-area contact faces which are adhesively bonded
or welded to one side of the pane. The pane, incidentally, can of
course be glass in the usual manner, but it could also for instance
be a panel of a suitable synthetic plastic material. The adhesive
bonding or welding directly to the pane provides for a particularly
simple manner of connection which is especially sutiable for
multilayer or insulating glass or safety glass which is bonded, and
all of which can be bored or provided with apertures for mechanical
connections only with great difficulty and expense, which are
avoided by the present invention.
Advantageously the adjusting means may be in form of a spring
element, particularly when adjustment in vertical direction is
desired, which is slipped over a hinge pin provided on one of the
sections so as to be located between the hinge pin and the sleeve
which surrounds the hinge pin and is provided on the other section.
In this manner the sleeve and hinge pin have the possibility of
relative movement with reference to one another, usually in
vertical direction because the hinge pin is usually vertically
oriented.
It is also possible, according to a further concept of the
invention, to use in place of the spring element cylindrical
elastomeric elements, for instance of rubber or synthetic plastic,
located between the respective hinge pin and the associated sleeve
in such a manner that the two sections which are respectively
provided with the hinge pin and the sleeve have freedom of limited
displacement both in vertical and in transverse direction.
Further adjustment possibilities are obtained if, according to
another concept of the invention, the second section of the single
or several units which is connected with the support means, is
provided with an arrangement making it possible to displace it with
reference to the support means (which may include a sash frame
mounted on a wall provided with the opening) in all directions in a
vertical and/or horizontal plane. In other words, such an
arrangement permits displacement or adjustment in a plurality of
mutually inclined directions. For this purpose the second section
may be provided with a slot-like opening through which a treaded
connector is passed into the support means, or the second section
may be provided with an opening whose cross-sectional area is
substantially larger than that of the threaded connector so that
displacement of the second section with reference to the threaded
connector is readily possible.
It is, however, also possible to provide adjustment and
displacement arrangements which are operated not mechanically as
previously discussed, but which are operated hydraulically,
pneumatically or by means of a suitable motor. This is particularly
advantageous in the case of panels (for windows or doors) which
must be of large area or which are required to be very easily
operated or which must provide a particularly good seal with
respect to the surrounding support means, or again which meet any
combination of these factors. Such arrangements are commercially
available, that is hydraulically or pneumatically operated units or
motor-driven units for this purpose can be readily purchased and
they can, in fact, be of type which permits remote control of the
respective pane or panes.
A further concept of the invention provides for the circumferential
margin of the pane or panes, particularly the bottom marginal
portion, to be provided with an elastic sealing lip which when the
pane is in closure position closing the associated opening, will
abut against an abutment profile of the support means. Furthermore,
a rain deflector or water deflector may also be arranged adjacent
the sealing lip, preferably being welded or adhesively bonded to
the pane.
In addition, the invention provides for a possibility of providing
the support means beneath the lower end of the pane with an opening
through which water, such as rain water or condensate, can run off
and which is closed at the exterior side of the support means by a
readily flexible seal element connected to the pane.
In so far as a latching device is concerned, it may be secured
directly to the pane itself and may for instance be in form of a
turnable knob which displaces a bolt longitudinally slidable of
itself, via an eccentric provided on the knob, and which bolt may
enter into and be retracted from a slot (a single one or any one of
a plurality of such slots) provided in the adjacent support means,
or in a suitable component of the latching device which is secured
to the support means. Such a latching device may not only be used
for maintaining the pane in closed position, but also it can be of
such type as to permit maintaining the pane in any one of several
partially opened positions, that is to maintain it in a desired
angular position. Thus, relatively simple means suffice for
maintaining the pane in any one of a plurality of different opening
positions as well as for fixing it in closed position.
Finally, such latching means may also be in form of a turning latch
of such type as to permit pivoting of the pane upon either one or
both vertical side edges thereof and/or the horizontal lower edge,
and only plate-shaped portions of the latching device are secured
directly on the pane by welding or bonding, whereas the other
components are secured on the support means.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the
invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The
invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its
method of operation, together with additional objects and
advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following
description of specific embodiments when read in connection with
the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is an elevation showing one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional detail view, on an enlarged
scale, showing a detail of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a further
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detail view through the lower end portion
of a further embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating another embodiment
of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating an additional
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary partially sectioned detail view, on an
enlarged scale, illustrating another embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged detail view of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a section taken on line IX--IX of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional detail view of another
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of a further embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 12 is a section on line XII--XII of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of still an additional
embodiment;
FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but of a different
embodiment;
FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14, but showing yet another
embodiment;
FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15, showing still a different
embodiment; and
FIG. 17 is a fragmentary detail view illustrative of yet a further
embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Discussing now the drawing in detail, and firstly the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that in this
embodiment I have shown a frameless window, that is a window in
which the window pane is not provided with a frame although the
surrounding support means (such as a wall) may of course be
provided with a sash frame. The window pane is here identified with
reference numeral 1 and may be of glass or of a synthetic plastic
material, closing a window opening 2 provided in a wall 7 which in
turn is provided with a sash frame 3. The sash frame 3 can be part
of the wall 7 itself, for instance in form of a prefabricated
component which is made an integral part of the wall during
construction of the latter.
Hinges 4 and 5 are provided of which sections are directly mounted
on the pane 1 itself, by means of adhesive bonding or welding. At
the side or edge of the pane 1 which is opposite the location of
the hinges 4 and 5, the pane 1 is provided with a latch 6 which is
secured in the same manner as the hinges 4 and 5 and whose
construction will be discussed in more detail subsequently.
In FIG. 2 I have illustrated in a longitudinal section and on an
enlarged scale the construction of the hinge 5 shown in FIG. 1, it
being understood that the hinge 4 is constructed in a similar
manner. The hinge 5 has a relatively large-area portion 5a a
contact surface of which is directly adhesively bonded or welded to
one side of the window pane 1. The portion 5a is connected with a
sleeve 5c via a connecting portion 5b. The hinge 5 further
comprises a second section having a hinge pin 5d which is connected
with an angular portion having a horizontal arm 5e and a vertical
arm 5f. An adjusting device in form of a double-dished spring 5g is
placed onto the hinge pin 5d so as to be located between the arm 5e
and the sleeve 5c, respectively, whereby vertical adjustment for
the sections of the hinge 5 is provided.
A threaded connector 5h, if desired provided with an expansion
anchor 5c which can also be omitted if not needed, is connected
directly with the wall 7 or with the sash frame 3; it extends
through an opening 5f' provided in the vertical 5f, and this
opening may be either slot-shaped or at least have a
cross-sectional area which is substantially greater than that of
the connector 5h, so as to permit displacement of the arm 5f with
reference to the connector. If the opening 5f' is slot-shaped it is
advantageous that it be elongated in direction normal to the plane
of the Figure in order to permit a corresponding displacement and
adjustment during the installation of the window.
It is also possible to connect the section having the hinge pin to
the support means directly via the arm 5e, and in many cases it may
be advantageous and possible to so connect the arm 5f that it is
secured to the support means in a position 90.degree. displaced
with reference to the one shown in FIG. 2, that is so that it will
be located in a plane which is in parallel with the plane of the
Figure.
In FIG. 3 I have shown a further embodiment of an adjustable hinge.
Here the panel is identified with reference numeral 8 and has
bonded or welded to it a plate-shaped section 9 which carries a
cylindrical bushing 10 having in turn an internal bushing 11, so
that these bushings can be turned with reference to one another but
with an axial-- i.e., vertical--displacement of the bushings
relative to one another being prevented. A cylindrical elastomeric
element 12 of rubber or synthetic plastic material connects the
bushing 11 with the hinge pin 13 which is connected to an angular
support 14 via the angled portion 13a. The angular support 14 is
provided with an opening 14a whose cross-sectional area is
substantially larger than that of the screw 18, so that when the
latter is released any desired adjustment, positioning and
re-securing in a plane normal to that of the drawing is possible.
Of course, such adjustment will be within the limits dictated by
the dimensions of the opening. The member 14 is secured to the
surrounding support means 17 by means of a screw 15 and an
expansion anchor 16, or in other suitable manner. However, welding
or other means of affixing are also possible, depending on the
materials and other circumstances involved.
In the embodiment of FIG. 4 I have shown a detail illustrating how
a rain-deflecting element 20 is connected to the outer side, that
is the outwardly directed surface of a pane 19, upwardly spaced
from the lower edge thereof. Thus, rain will run off and drip off
this member 20. A sealing lip 21 is provided a portion 21a of which
sealingly contacts the pane 19 and which is secured on an abutment
profile 22a of a sash 22 with frame 23 or on another part of the
support means. An opening 22b for run-off of condensate is covered
by a readily bendable lip seal. The seal 21 with the portion 21b
can of course also be directly bonded or otherwise secured to the
outer side of the pane in the region of the lower edge portion
thereof, and such a construction would permit a further
simplification of the sash frame itself. The elements 21 and 25 of
FIGS. 4 and 5 could also be combined, particularly for compensating
for unevennesses where larger surface areas are concerned.
FIG. 5 is similarly to FIG. 4 but shows an embodiment in which a
sealing element 25 is differently configurated from the embodiment
in FIG. 4, being bonded adhesively to the lower edge portion of the
pane 24. A hollow profiled portion 25a of the member 25, with
longitudinally extending channel 25b, can yieldably in readily
deformable manner engage the edge of an abutment 26 which will be
provided on the non-illustrated support means.
In FIG. 6 I have illustrated in a simplified view a further
embodiment of the invention, having a glass pane 28 which is
located in an opening of a wall or similar support means, if
desired with the provision of a sash frame 27 on the support means.
In this embodiment the left edge portion of the pane 28 is provided
with two hinges 29 and 30 and the lower or bottom edge portion is
provided with two further hinges 50 and 51. Those portions of the
hinges which cooperate with the pane are directly bonded or welded
to the latter, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 1, and the
hinges themselves may be constructed in accordance with the
embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 to permit the desired adjustment.
The portions of the hinges which project ouwardly beyond the pane
are provided with cylindrical portions 29a, 30a which accommodate
hinge pins 33, 34 as well as 48 and 49. Members 35 and 36 as well
as 46 and 47 are connected with longitudinally displaceable rods 37
and 43 which themselves are held in guides 38 and 39 and 44 and 45.
These rods are held and guided at their end portions by means of
bolts 37a, 43a in slotted openings 40a, 40b of a unit 40 having a
bell crank 41, 42 or operating handle, in such a manner that
depending on the position of the bell crank or handle 42 only the
two lower hinges 50 and 51 or the laterial hinges 29 and 30, or all
hinges are in engagement. In other words, the support-means mounted
sections and the pane-mounted sections of only the hinges 29 and 30
may be in engagement in which case the pane can be pivoted about an
upright axis, the support means-mounted and the pane-mounted
sections of only the hinges 50 and 51 may be in engagement so that
the pane can be pivoted about a horizontal axis, or all hinges may
be in engagement so that the panel cannot be pivoted at all. The
latching arrangement 31 corresponds to that discussed with respect
to FIG. 1 and identified therein with reference numeral 6. A
suitable unit 32 may also be provided at the upper end portion of
the pane 28, constructed and operative in such a manner that is
will hold the pane if the latter is pivoted about a horizontal axis
by means of the hinges 50 and 51, but will permit the swinging
movement of the pane if the latter is pivoted about an upright axis
defined by the hinges 29 and 30. This arrangement of the four
hinges, permitting the movement of the pane alternately about a
horizontal or a vertical axis, and the operation and construction
of the unit 32, are all known per se.
It is also possible to provide in the region of the right-hand
vertical edge of the pane 28 additional hinges (not shown) in which
case the arrangement will be such that the support-means mounted
and the pane-mounted sections of all three sets of hinges will be
engaged so that the pane cannot be moved, or else that the pane can
be pivoted either about a horizontal axis, a vertical axis along
the left-hand side vertical edge portion or a vertical axis along
the right-hand side vertical edge portion. This makes it possible
to open the panel either towards the right-hand or towards the
left-hand, or to pivot it about a horizontal axis.
Coming, finally, to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, it
will be seen that herein I have disclosed a particularly
advantageous embodiment of a latching arrangement utilizing a
turning knob 55 which is connected on the pane 52 by means of
bonding or welding via a plate portion 54. The pane 52 itself abuts
against a projection 53 of a sash frame 53, if desired via the
interposition of sealing elements. FIGS. 8 and 9 show that the knob
55 is turnably mounted on an angular member 59 via a shaft portion
55a and a plate or retaining portion 55b on an angular element 59
which in turn is fixed to the plate portion 54. The element 59 is
provided with a substantially U-shaped guide for a sliding bar 56
which at the upper edge is retained in a further U-shaped guide 60a
of a guide rail 60. The bar 56 is provided with a longitudinal slot
56a into which a bolt 55c engages which in turn is eccentrically
connected to the knob 55. It will be seen (compare FIG. 8) that
when the knob 55 is turned in clockwise direction as indicated by
the arrow, the bar 56 will be displaced towards the right-hand
side. This means that if the construction is such as is shown in
more detail in FIG. 7, wherein a component 57 having a plurality of
slots 58 is mounted on the frame 53 (which latter can of course be
omitted and the mounting can take place directly on the wall or
other support means) the leading portion of the bar 56 can be made
to enter into any desired one of the slotted openings 58, depending
upon the angle at which the pane is to be arrested.
Clearly, the various components which are to be directly mounted on
the pane can be secured thereto in other ways than by bonding or
welding. Clamping is a possibility and welded or bonded portions
may be interposed between the pane and the respective component and
the thing be clamped together if desired, for instance with the use
of U-profiled elements, but also screws, rivets or the like can be
used.
It is clear that the invention can be used not only with single
windows by way of which it has been illustrated for the sake of
explanation, but also in double windows, in sliding windows,
pivoting windows, in windows which can be raised or lowered, as
well as in doors having one or more panes which, in the latter
case, may be suitably connected with one another.
Also, other means than those illustrated can be used for effecting
the various desired adjustments, for instance eccentric devices,
kardanic devices, and the like. This is particularly true as an
alternative with respect to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.
Also, remote control can be effected, particularly if the panes are
very large and/or heavy, and in this case automatically operating
adjusting and positioning means may be provided in such a manner
that when the pane undergoes a certain amount of displacement
and/or expansion due to thermal influences, an electrical contact
is engaged by it which via a suitable control device provides a
requisite differential adjustment in its positioning via pneumatic,
hydraulic or motor-driven devices. Suitable rack and pinion means
instead of an eccentric bolt can be utilized in such a context, and
all of these possibilities can use elements and components which
are known per se in the art.
Where FIG. 7 shows that an adjustment in the opening angle of the
pane is possible, with several opening angles being predetermined
by the provision of the slotted openings 58, it is also possible to
provide for a continuous adjustment in the opening angle, for
instance by using suitable clamping arrangemants or the like. The
double-dished spring shown in FIG. 2 can also be replaced with a
spiral spring or another suitable spring element, if desired.
It has been found, in particular, that mounting and latching
components can be most reliably and permanently directly secured to
a glass pane (i.e. without the customary frame) if and when the
differential coefficients of thermal expansion and contraction of
the pane and the various components mounted thereon, can be
compensated. Such expansion can be the result of sunlight or other
sources of thermal energy and should, according to the invention,
be compensated. On the other hand, it is also important that shear
forces--acting parallel to the general plane of the same--be
absorbed or transmitted between the pane and the components mounted
thereon. The following embodiments are directed to these
concepts.
Thus, FIG. 10, shows in a somewhat diagrammatic view an embodiment
wherein the pane 61 has secured thereto a hinge component 63.
Interposed between them is an elastic tension compensating element
64 here and in all subsequent embodiments composed of a suitable
elastomer such as rubber or plastic, which may be secured to pane
61 by means of a (non-illustrated) thin layer of a suitable bonding
agent.
The surface area of element 64 is larger than that of portion 62 of
the component 63, to assure that element 64 will surround and
project outwardly beyond all edges of the portion 62. FIG. 10 also
shows that the thickness of element 64 decreases from its middle
outwardly toward its edges, preferably stepwise as shown in which
case steps or ribs 64a may be formed. The middle portion of element
64 may in fact be so thick that the portion 62 can be partly or
completely embedded in it, as shown in FIG. 10.
Shear forces which develop in this embodiment and act in
parallelism with the general plane of the pane 61, decrease in
direction towards the edges or margins of element 64, due to the
configuration of the latter, whereby separation of the element 64
at its margins from pane 61 is prevented and reliable mounting of
component 63 assured.
In FIGS. 11 and 12, I have shown an embodiment in which two or more
(three illustrated) elastic compensating elements 66 are secured
(e.g. bonded) to the glass pane 65 at spaced locations. A guide
rail 67 is fixedly connected to elements 66 and slidably carries a
movable rail 68, the purpose being to increase the range of
relative movement between pane and hinge and/or latching components
(not shown) which can be secured in suitable manner to rail 68 in
such a manner that the major forces will act transversely to the
direction of displacement of rail 68. The term major forces is
intended to designate for instance the weight of the pane 65, or
the force required for opening a door or window provided with this
pane.
The embodiment of FIG. 13 is especially advantageous when the pane
(here identified with reference numeral 69) is particularly large.
In this embodiment, a hinge portion 70 --which may be composed of
rods as shown--has a hinge pivot 71 and is connected at four
locations-- corresponding to the corners of a rectangle--to
respective compensating elements 76,77,78 and 79. Between each of
the elements 76-79 and the portion 70 there is located a mounting
plate 72-75, respectively, and the elements 76-79 are bonded to
pane 69.
In FIG. 14, a pane 80 has mounted thereto two or more (two shown)
compensating elements 82,83 which are vertically spaced and,
eventually, also in direction normal to the plane of the drawing. A
metallic expansion member 81 is fixed to both (or all) of the
elements and provided with an offset portion 81a. In this manner
the member 81, as well as the elements 82 and 83, can compensate
for stresses. The hinge and/or latching elements (not shown) are
connected to member 81.
The embodiment of FIG. 15 has a pane 84 provided with a projection
84a. A hinge or latching component 86 is connected to pane 84 in
such a manner as to embrace the projection 84a which may, but need
not be, rib-shaped. A compensating element 85 is interposed between
component 86 and pane 84, and its position in conjunction with the
embraced projection 84a, assures advantageous compensation and
absorption of any shear forces.
In FIG. 16, I have illustrated an embodiment based on the same
principle as that of FIG. 15, except that it differs therefrom in
structural respects. Here, pane 87 is provided with a recess 87a
which accommodates the compensating element 89. The hinge or
latching component 88 is in turn connected with the element 89.
The embodiment of FIG. 17, finally, utilizes a pane 90 the marginal
portion 90a of which is angled, preferably at 90.degree., with
reference to the remainder of the pane. Secured to the inwardly
directed side of the portion 90a are one or more compensating
elements 93; additional compensating elements 92 may be provided on
the inwardly directed side of the pane so as to be located in a
plane which is substantially at a right angle to that of element
(or elements) 93. The hinge or latching component 91 extends into
the channel formed by the portion 90a and is secured to the element
93 (and 92, if the latter are provided). This embodiment also
provides for advantageous distribution and compensation of shear
and other significant forces acting between pane 90 and component
91.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or
two or more together, may also find a useful application in other
types of constructions differing from the types described
above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied
in a window or door construction, it is not intended to be limited
to the details shown, since various modifications and structural
changesmay be made without departing in any way from the spirit of
the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the
gist of the present invention that others can by applying current
knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without
omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly
constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific
features of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should
and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of
equivalence of the following claims.
* * * * *