NL2034595B1

NL2034595B1 - Frame for a door and/or window, comprising at least one seating block, seating block and method for forming the same

Info

Publication number: NL2034595B1
Application number: NL2034595A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Fieten Jan
Original assignee: Buva Rationele Bouwprodukten B V
Priority date: 2023-04-17
Filing date: 2023-04-17
Publication date: 2024-10-24

Abstract

Frame for a window and/or door, comprising at least one base profile and at least one vertical profile, wherein between a lower end of the vertical profile and the base profile a seating block is provided, wherein the at least one vertical profile has a longitudinal axis and has at least one internal chamber extending through the vertical profile in the longitudinal direction, wherein the seating block closes off at least said at least one internal chamber at least partly at a lower end of said vertical profile, wherein the seating block comprises an upper side and at least one opening extending from said upper side of the seating block to a side of the seating block facing the base profile

Description

P133611NL00

Title: Frame for a door and/or window, comprising at least one seating block, seating block and method for forming the same

The invention relates to a frame for a door and/or window, comprising at least one seating block.

Frames for doors or windows are commonly made using plastic and/or metal profiles comprising internal chambers extending in a length direction of the profiles. The profiles are made to length and then interconnected to form a frame. At corners positions of the frame seating blocks can be used between a longitudinal end of a first, vertical profile and a second, horizontal profile. Such seating block can for example be made of plastic or stone.

During use water can enter into the chambers of such profiles, for example by condensation or through holes made in a wall of the profile, for example holes for attaching hinges, closure elements, locks or the like to the profile. This water has to be removed from the chambers. To this end it is known to provide openings at the lower end of the vertical profiles for draining. This is however undesirable, for example because of esthetics. The openings will be visible and moreover, due to the water flowing out discoloration and staining of outer surface portions of the profiles may occur.

Moreover such openings may lead to entering of water into the profiles, for example because of wind pressure. Moreover providing such openings is labor intensive and requires specific tooling and skills and may therefore be prone to mistakes and moreover costly.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a frame for a door and/or window which is an alternative for frames according to the prior art.

An aim of the present disclosure is to provide a frame for a door and/or window which at least partly prevents or alleviates at least one of the problems mentioned and/or other problems of a frame according to the prior art. An aim of the present disclosure is to provide a frame for a door and/or window, in which water can easily be drained from an internal chamber by drainage provisions, which is esthetically appealing and/or prevents water from entering into the profile through the drainage provisions provided. An aim of the present disclosure is to provide a seat block, or a series of seat blocks for use in a frame for a window and/or door. An aim of the present disclosure is to provide a method for forming a seat block or a series of seat blocks for use in a frame of a door and/or window.

At least one of these and other aims is obtained by a frame according to the disclosure, a seat block according to the disclosure and/or a method according to the disclosure.

In an aspect a frame for a window and/or door according to the disclosure comprises at least one base profile and at least one vertical profile, wherein between a lower end of the vertical profile and the base profile a seating block is provided. The at least one vertical profile has a longitudinal axis and has at least one internal chamber extending through the vertical profile in the longitudinal direction. The seating block closes off said vertical profile or at least said chamber at least partly at a lower end of said vertical profile. According to an aspect of the disclosure the seating block comprises an upper side and at least one opening extending from said upper side of the seating block to a side of the seating block facing the base profile.

In a frame according to the disclosure draining of a chamber of a vertical profile of the frame can be achieved through the seating block, negating the necessity of providing a drainage opening in a wall of the vertical profile.

In a frame according to the disclosure the seating block preferably has been made using injection molding. In a frame according to the disclosure the seating block can have been made using other forming techniques, suitable for forming complex shaped objects, such as for example but not limited to 3-D printing, stereo lithography or for example lost core molding.

In embodiments the seating block comprises a hollow in the upper surface, wherein the at least one opening opens into said hollow, such that during use water is collected in said hollow and can drain from said hollow through said opening. The hollow preferably is provided with an at least partly sloping bottom surface, wherein in or at said bottom surface said at least one opening is provided. Such bottom will even more easily feed the water to said at least one opening. In embodiments the seating block comprises a break-away closure in or for said at least one opening. Thus in embodiments the at least one opening can remain closed during use, whereas in other embodiments the opening can be opened by removing said closure at least partly from said at least one opening. Obviously the closure can also be provided differently, for example as a plug fitting in and/or over said opening, as long as it can be removed sufficiently for opening the at least one opening for draining water.

In embodiments a lower end of the at least one chamber, which chamber extends parallel to the longitudinal axis through the vertical profile, opens into the said hollow. In such embodiment alongside at least part of said hollow at least one wall segment is provided extending alongside, preferably in contact with, an inside surface of at least one wall portion of a wall of said at least one chamber.

In embodiments the at least one vertical profile has at least a first internal chamber and a second internal chamber, extending in said longitudinal direction, separated by a first separating wall part, wherein the seating block has at least a first opening and a second opening extending from said upper side to the base profile. The first opening is in fluid connection with the first chamber, and the second opening is in fluid connection with the second chamber, wherein the first separating wall part preferably rests on the upper side of the seating block, more preferably rests between said first opening and said second opening.

The first and second opening allow for mounting the seating block in the frame, for example by a bolt or screw extending through one of the first and second opening, and allows draining of the internal chambers of the vertical profile, for example through the other of the first and second opening.

In embodiments the or each opening in de seating block can be provided by a channel extending from an upper side of the seating block to a lower side of the seating block. Preferably such channel has a channel wall extending to a bottom side of the seating block, such that a lower end of said channel can rest on a profile wall on which the seating block is positioned with said bottom side.

In embodiments the upper side of the seating block is provided with at least one wall segment, preferably a series of wall segments, said wall segment or wall segments abutting an inside wall part of the at least one vertical profile.

Such wall part or wall parts allow for easy positioning of the seating block and vertical profile relative to each other and at the same time can be used for sealing the relevant chamber or chambers against the seating block.

In embodiments preferably the base profile comprises at least one discharge channel for discharging water coming from the at least one opening in the seating block. Additionally or alternatively the base profile can be provided such that water coming from the seating block can be discharged differently, for example over an upper surface of the base profile or alongside a side or end of the base profile.

In preferred embodiments at least the at least one vertical profile has been made using at least a longitudinal production technique, especially extrusion and/or pultrusion, wherein the at least one vertical profile is substantially hollow and comprises said at least one chamber, preferably a series of parallel chambers. In preferred embodiments most of the profiles and preferably all of said profiles have been made by a similar longitudinal production technique. 5 The present disclosure further relates to a seating block for use in a frame for a door and/or window. In an aspect a seating block according to the disclosure is made using plastic or a composite material, preferably by injection molding. The seating block at least comprises an upper side comprising a top wall and at least one supporting wall extending downward from said top wall, a space enclosed by the said top wall and the at least one supporting wall. Said space has an outlet or open side at a side opposite the top wall, wherein at least one opening is provided in said top wall, opening into the said space and/or said outlet or open side of the space. The seating block is designed for supporting a frame profile of a doorframe or window frame on and/or above the top surface.

It should be noted that the seating block could alternatively be made using other 3D forming techniques, such as but not limited to 3-D printing, stereo lithography, lost core molding or the like. With such techniques relatively complex products can be formed with little to no waste material.

In embodiments the seating block preferably has at least two openings, provided in said top wall, opening into the said space and/or said outlet or open side of the space. At least one of said openings is provided by a channel extending downward from said top wall. Preferably at least one of said openings is at least partly funnel shaped.

By providing at least one opening at least one of the openings can be used for securing the seating block to one of the frame profiles, whereas the other opening can be used for discharging water through the seating block. A funnel shape of part of an opening can increase an area for receiving water when discharging through said opening, whereas the funnel shaped part can be used for receiving for example a head of a screw or bolt used for securing the seating block.

In preferred embodiments at least the upper side of the seating block, preferably the top wall of the seating block is provided with at least one upward reaching wall segment, preferably a series of such wall segments, for during use engaging a wall surface of a frame profile supported by said seating block.

Using such wall segment or segments allows for easy positioning of the relevant frame portion to the seating block. Moreover such wall segment or segments can be used for sealing the relevant chamber relative to the seating block.

In such embodiments preferably the or each wall segment is spaced apart from a periphery of the top wall of the seating block, preferably inward from said periphery. This allows for wall segments of the relevant profile to fit against said wall segments within the outer periphery of the seating block.

In an aspect a seating block according to the disclosure can be provided with a break lip in said top wall, which can be broken out of the top wall for forming the or a further opening in the top wall.

Such break lip can close off the or an opening, for example when no discharge of water is necessary through said opening or channel, whereas the lip can be broken away from the opening for opening said discharge opening.

The present disclosure is further directed to a series of seating blocks, wherein each seating block in the series has a first seating block part which is the same for the series, whereas at least one of the seating blocks in the series has at least a second seating block part, different from the first seating block part, and at least one seating block in the series has at least a third seating block part, different from the first seating block part and different from the second seating block part. The seating blocks in the series are therefore partly the same and partly different, for fitting different frame configurations.

In such embodiments preferably the first seating block part and the second seating block and/or the third seating block part of a seating block are made by injection molding integrally in a single injection mold.

In such embodiments each seating block in the series can be made integrally, preventing having to assemble seating blocks.

In a series of seating blocks according to the disclosure at least one of the series of seating blocks series can comprise the first seating block part only, whereas preferably other seating blocks in the series comprise a combination of the first seating block part with the second seating block part and/or the third seating block part and/or further seating block parts.

The disclosure further relates to a method for forming a seating block according to the disclosure, for use in a frame according to the disclosure. In an aspect such method comprises an injection mold being prepared for forming at least one seating block. The mold has a cavity comprising at least a first cavity part for forming a first seating block part, a second cavity part for forming a second seating block part, a third cavity part for forming a third seating block part. In such method of the disclosure depending on the shape and dimensions of a cross section of a lower end of a vertical profile of a frame for a door and/or window according to the disclosure it is chosen which of the first, second and third cavity parts are to be formed with a plastic material, for forming a seating block having a first, second and/or third seating block part.

By way of example, if the said cross section corresponds with the first seating block part, the mold is used for forming the first seating block part only. This can be obtained by closing off access in the mold to the second and third seating block forming parts of the mold, and/or by exchanging the second and third seating block forming mold parts in the mold for filling elements preventing forming parts in said parts of the mold,

for example by using solid filling parts. If the cross section corresponds to a combination of the first seating block part and the second seating block part, in the mold only the third seating block forming mold part is exchanged for such filling part. Similarly of the cross section requires a seating block having the first and third seating block part only, only the second seating block part forming mold part is exchanged by a filling block. If the seating block required should have a first, second and third seating block part, none of the seating block forming parts is exchanged.

It shall be clear that in a similar manner access to the second and or third mold part can be closed off, depending on the desired seating block.

Moreover, in a frame and/or seating block according to the disclosure more than three seating block parts can be used, which can be made in a similar mold comprising more than three seating block parts forming mold parts as disclosed, to be used as disclosed.

In advantageous embodiments of a method of the disclosure in the same mold at least a first and a second seating block are injection molded, wherein the first seating block is a mirror image of the second seating block.

In such method at least two seating blocks can be made at the same time, for example for use for seating a left hand and a right hand vertical frame profile in a frame.

For a better understanding of the disclosure different embodiments of a frame, method and building will be discussed, with reference to the drawings, which are shown by way of example only and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Therein shows schematically:

Fig. 1 an embodiment of a frame for a door and/or window, in frontal view;

Fig. 2 a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a frame portion along the line IT - IT in fig. 1;

Fig. 3 a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a frame portion along the line III - IIT in fig. 1;

Fig. 4 a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a frame portion along the line IV - IV in fig. 1;

Fig. 4A in partial cross section in top view a sill with a vertical frame portion;

Fig. 4B a sill with a vertical frame portion, in cross sectional side view along the line A — Ain fig. 4A;

Fig. 4C in perspective view part of a frame as shown 1n fig. 4A and 4B;

Fig. 5 a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a seating block;

Fig. 6 a perspective view of an embodiment of a seating block, seen from a bottom side;

Fig. 7 a top view of an embodiment of a seating block, comprising a first seating block part and a second seating block part and a third seating block part at two opposite sides thereof;

Fig. 8A — D in top view four configurations of a mold, or part thereof, for forming different seating blocks of a set of seating blocks; and

Fig. 9A — E in top view, similar to fig. 2 and 3, five embodiments of seating blocks according to the disclosure, with matching cross sections of vertical profiles used therewith.

In the figures identical or corresponding parts are represented with the same or corresponding reference numerals. The drawings are only schematic representations of embodiments of the invention or parts thereof, which are given by manner of non-limiting examples.

In this disclosure a frame for a door and/or window is disclosed, as well as seating blocks to be used for forming such frames and methods for making such seating blocks. In this description a door or a window can for example be, but is not limited to a pivoting door or window, connected to the frame by hinges, a sliding door or window, connected to the frame by sliding provisions, or a tilting door or window, connected to the frame by tilting provisions, or combinations thereof, as known in the art.

In this description the wording front may be used to indicate a side of a frame or part thereof facing outward of the building or wall the frame is or is to be mounted in, whereas rear may be used to indicate a side of the frame or part thereof facing inward of the building or wall. Up and down, top and bottom, upper and lower and the like wording are used in their normal orientation, unless specifically indicated differently.

In this description wording like substantially should be understood as meaning that slight deviations from a given value or orientation are allowable, such as for example deviations of up to 15%, such as for example up to 10%, for example up to 5%.

In this description profiles used for a frame each have a longitudinal axis. The direction of the longitudinal axis is used for indicating a longitudinal direction of the relevant profile. Profiles used in a frame according to the disclosure are thin walled and/or hollow, meaning that any maximum wall thickness of a profile is smaller than the length, width and height of the profile, wherein the length is measured in the longitudinal direction and the width and height are measured perpendicular to the length and to each other.

A profile for a frame according to the disclosure is preferably made of plastic, more preferably plastic with one or more metal core, or of metal, preferably aluminum.

Fig. 1 shows schematically, in frontal view, a frame 1 for a window and/or door. In fig. 1 by way of example a frame 1 is shown comprising a pivoting window 2, fixed with hinges 2A, and a fixed window or window pane 3. The frame 1 comprises at least one base profile 4 and at least one vertical profile 5. In this embodiment shown the frame 1 has three vertical profiles 5, which can also be referred to as styles or window styles. The upper ends 12 of the vertical profiles 5 are interconnected by an upper profile 13.

Between a lower end 6 of the vertical profile 5 and the base profile 4 a seating block 7 is provided. The vertical profile 5 has a longitudinal axis

X —X and has at least one internal chamber 9 extending through the vertical profile 5 in the longitudinal direction. The seating block 7 closes off the at least one internal chamber 9 at least partly at the lower end 6 of said vertical profile 5. Preferably the seating block 7 closes off the lower end 6, except for at least one water discharge opening 8 or channel as will be discussed. The seating block 7 comprises an upper side 10 and at least one opening 8 extending from said upper side 10 of the seating block 7 to a side 11 of the seating block 7 facing the base profile 4.

The lower or base profile 4 is mounted at a lower side of a wall opening, such as for example an opening for a door or window. In fig. 1 and 4 the wall 100 is schematically shown, but should not be considered limiting the scope of the disclosure. The base profile 4 can also be mounted for example directly on a floor of a building.

In the embodiments shown the profiles, such as the base profile 4, the vertical profiles 5 and the top or upper profile 13 are profiles manufactured by using a longitudinal fabrication process or technique, such as for example extrusion or pultrusion. The profiles preferably are all substantially hollow and can be divided in one or more internal chambers 9, which extend substantially parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis X — X, as known in the art.

A seating block 7 according to the disclosure preferably is made of plastic, which may be a composite material. Preferably a seating block 7 according to the disclosure is made by molding, especially injection molding.

By molding, especially by injection molding the seating block 7 it can be made relatively easily and quickly, and very accurately, such that a very good fit can be obtained with the vertical profile 5 and the base profile 4.

Alternatively other 3-D forming techniques can be used, such as for example but not limited to 3-D printing, stereo lithography, lost core molding or similar forming techniques with which relatively complex products can be formed, preferably with little to no waste material.

In embodiments the vertical profile 5 can be placed directly on the upper side 10 of the seating block 7. Alternatively a seal, for example a rubber seal or plastic seal, such as silicone, can be provided between the upper side 10 of the seating block 7 and the vertical profile 5. In embodiments seating block 7 can be placed directly on an upper side 4A of the base profile 4. Alternatively a seal, for example a rubber seal or plastic seal, such as silicone, can be provided between the upper side 4A of the base profile 4 and the seating block 7.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a seating block 7, wherein the seating block 7 comprises a hollow 14 in the upper surface 10. The hollow 14 is provided with an at least partly sloping bottom surface 15, wherein in this embodiment in or at said bottom surface 15 said at least one opening 8 is provided.

In embodiments the opening 8 can be provided with a break-away closure 16, an example of which is shown for example in fig. 2, 3 and fig. 7-9. In fig. 5 in broken lines a break away closure 16 is shown as a lip closing off the opening 8. The lip is connected to the further seating block 7 by a break rim 17 or break elements or the like element or elements easy to snap, for removing the lip 16. Preferably the break away rim 17 is used extending around the full periphery of the lip 16, such that the opening is fully closed before removal of the lip 16. The breakaway closure 16 with the connecting element or elements 17 can for example be injection molded integrally with the further seating block 7. If the relevant opening 8 is not necessary for discharging water, the break-away closure 16 can stay in place during use.

During use preferably a lower end 18 of the at least one chamber 9 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis X — X through the vertical profile 5, opens into the said hollow 14. Thus water accumulated inside said chamber 9 can be received in said hollow 14 and then flow into the opening 8 to be discharged. The water can for example be condensate and/or water entering into the chamber through openings used for screwing or bolting for example hinges and/or closure elements 2A to the profile 5.

In fig. 4A — C schematically a flow of water is indicated by the arrow W, flowing through the chamber 9 and through the at least one opening 8 in the seating block 7, onto a sloping part 4B of the upper surface 4A of the lower profile 4, facing an outside of the frame 1, such that the water W can flow over said surface part 4B away to the outside of the frame and hence to the outside of a building in which the frame 1 is provided.

Alternatively one or more openings can be provided in the upper side 4A of the lower profile 4, opening into a chamber 4C of the lower profile 4, such that water W can flow into said chamber 4C, from which chamber 4C the water then can flow out through a dewatering channel 4D, in a known way, for example in a lower or front wall of the said chamber 4C, again to an outside facing side of the frame 1, to discharge the water outside said building.

In embodiments alongside at least part of said hollow 14 at least one wall segment 19 can be provided, during use extending alongside, preferably in contact with, an inside surface 20 of at least one wall portion 21 of a wall 22 of said at least one chamber 9. This positions the profile 5 clearly relative to the seating block 7. Moreover, the wall element or elements 19 can seal against said surface portion 20, preventing water to pass between the lower end 6 of the profile 6 and the upper surface 10 of the seating block.

In the drawings embodiments of seating blocks 7 and vertical profiles 5 are shown, for example in fig. 2 — 9, in which the at least one vertical profile 5 has at least a first chamber 9 and a second chamber 23, extending in said longitudinal direction X — X. The second chamber 23 is separated from the first chamber 9 by a first separating wall part 24. The seating block 7 in these embodiments can have at least a first opening 8 and a second opening 25 extending from said upper side 10 to the base profile 4.

The first opening 8 is in fluid connection with the first chamber 9, and the second opening 25 is in fluid connection with the second chamber 23. In such embodiments the first separating wall part 24 preferably rests on the upper side 10 of the seating block 7. More preferably the said separating wall 24 rests between the first opening 8 and said second opening 25.

In embodiments the first opening 8 can be provided by or connect to a first channel 26 extending downward from the upper side 10 of the seating block 7, preferably to the lower side 11. The first channel 26 can for example be provided by a tubular part 27 of the seating block 7. Preferably in embodiments in which the seating block 7 is provided with at least a first opening 8 and a second opening 25, the second opening 25 can be provided by or at least opens into a second channel 28. The second channel 28 can be provided by a second tubular part 29 of the seating block 7.

In embodiments the seating block can be provided with only one or more than two openings, for example three openings 8, 25, 30, as is for example shown in fig. 2 and 3. In such embodiments at least one and preferably at least two of the openings 25, 30 open into a channel formed by a first tubular part 27 and a second channel 28 formed by a second tubular part 29, whereas the first opening can open also into a channel, as shown in fig. 5, or can open directly into an internal volume 34 of the seating block 7.

At least one of the openings is or can be used for discharging water from the vertical profile 5.

In advantageous embodiments, as for example shown in fig. 2 — 9, at least one channel 28 can have a funnel shaped channel part 31 at the upper surface 10 of the seating block 7. In embodiments the funnel shaped part 31 can during use receive a head of a screw (not shown) fitting snugly into said funnel shaped part 31 when attaching the seating block 7 to for example a base profile 4. Alternatively the funnel shaped part 31 can be used for collecting water to be channeled and discharged.

As 1s for example shown in fig. 2, 5 and 6, the seating block 7 preferably is substantially hollow, and can be made using plastic or a composite material, preferably by injection molding.

The seating block has a top wall 32 and at least one supporting wall 33 extending downward from said top wall 32. The supporting wall can be a peripheral wall and/or can extend across the top wall 32. A space 34 1s enclosed by the said top wall 32 and the at least one supporting wall 33, said space 34 having an outlet or open side 11 at a side opposite the top wall 32.

The at least one opening 8 is provided in said top wall 32, opening into the said space 34 and/or said outlet or open side 11 of the space 34. The seating block 7 is designed for supporting the frame profile 5 on and/or above the top surface 10.

With a seating block 7 according to the disclosure water accumulating inside a vertical profile of a door frame 1 and/or window frame 1 can be drained through the seating block 7, to be dispensed of over and/or through a base profile of said frame 1. The seating block 7 moreover eliminates the need to cut the lower end 6 of the vertical profile 5 other than straight off. As can for example be seen in fig. 4, 4B and 4C, and in fig. 5, the lower end 6 can be cut off straight, perpendicular to a longitudinal, vertical direction of the vertical profile 5 and can be open, to be closed off substantially by the seating block 7 and part of the lower or base profile 4.

For different frames 1 differently shaped seating blocks will be necessary. For example depending on whether a fixed door panel or window panel is seated in the frame or a movable door or window, whether the vertical frame part or profile 5 is a side profile, like for example shown in fig. 2, by way of example only, or a center profile in a frame, as for example shown in fig. 3, by way of example only, or other differences. It has been found that surprisingly a series of seating blocks for such different uses can be provided, wherein each seating block in the series has a first seating block part 40 which is the same for the series, whereas at least one of the seating blocks in the series has at least a second seating block part 41, different from the first seating block part 40, and at least one seating block in the series has at least a third seating block part 42, different from the first seating block part 40 and different from the second seating block part 41.

Thus, in other words, it has been found that a series of seating blocks 7 can be provided with at least one seating block part 40 in common whereas some of the seating blocks in the series have at least one seating block part 41, 42 different from the one seating block part 40 they have in common.

Preferably the first seating block part 40 and the second seating block part 41 and/or the third seating block part 42 of a seating block 7 are made by injection molding integrally in a single injection mold 44. By using a mold 44 as for example schematically shown in fig. 7 and 8A — D the different seating blocks 7 can be formed by using exchangeable blocks in the mold filling parts of the mold cavity for forming different seating blocks 7.

This can be understood as follows.

Fig. 7 shows in top view schematically a cavity 43 of a mold 44 for forming seating blocks 7. The cavity 43 has a first, central cavity part 45 for forming the first seating block part 40, common to all seating blocks 7 to be formed in said cavity 43. At a first side, in fig. 7 left of and adjacent to the central cavity part 45 is a second cavity part 46 of the cavity 43, for forming a second seating block part 41, whereas at the opposite side of the central cavity part 45, in fig. 7 shown at the right hand side, a third cavity part 47 is formed, for forming a third seating block part 42.

In fig. 7 and 8A — D schematically a dividing is indicated between the first cavity part 45 or seating block part 40 and the second cavity part 46 or seating block part 41 by a first line Li, whereas a dividing is indicated between the first cavity part 45 or seating block part 40 and the third cavity part 47 or seating block part 42 by a second line Lg. In fig. 7 in the third cavity part 47 a third line Lg is shown, dividing the third cavity part 47 in a first sub cavity part 47A and a second sub cavity part 47B, to which will be referred further on. In fig. 7 the second sub cavity part 47B has been indicated by hatching.

As is shown in fig. 8A — D by way of example, a mold 44 can be provided with two cavities 44, for example in side by side relation, which cavities 44 are mirror images of each other. Runners 48 are provided for filling the cavities 44 with a plastic material, as is known in the art. Thus in the same mold 44 sets of seating blocks 7 can be manufactured, wherein in each set two mirror imaged seating blocks 7 are provided, for example for a left hand side and a right hand side of a frame 1.

A mold 44 according to the disclosure can be used as follows.

Depending on at least the shape and dimensions of a cross section of a lower end 6 of a vertical profile 5 it is chosen which of the first cavity part 45, second cavity part 46 and third cavity part 47 are to be filled with a plastic material, for forming a seating block having a first seating block part 40, second seating block part 41 and/or third seating block part 42. The cavity part or parts which are not to be used temporarily are closed off, such that no plastic material can enter into said cavity part or cavity parts. To this end preferably the relevant cavity part or cavity parts not to be filled with plastic material are filled with a removable filling block 49, as for example schematically shown in fig. 7, wherein both the second cavity part 46 and the third cavity part 47 are filled with such filling block 49. In such configuration with the mold seating blocks 7 can be made having the first, central seating block part 40 only. It will be understood that if the filling block(s) is or are removed from the second cavity part(s) 46 in a mold, in the cavities 44 one or a set of seating blocks can be made having both the first seating block part 40 and the second seating block part 41. Similarly, if the filling block(s) is or are removed from the third cavity part(s) 47 in a mold, in the cavities 44 one or a set of seating blocks 7 can be made having both the first seating block part 40 and the third seating block part 42. If the filling blocks 49 are removed from the second and third cavity parts 47 in a mold 44, in the cavities 44 one or a set of seating blocks 7 can be made having the first seating block part 40, the second seating block part 41 and the third seating block part 42.

It shall be clear that if a cavity part 45, 46 and/or 47 is only partly filled by a block 49, a seating block 7 can be made having a seating block part having the shape of the remaining part of such partly filled cavity part.

By way of example such is schematically shown in fig. 7, right hand side for the third cavity part 47, wherein in fig. 7 the second sub cavity part 47B is filled with a filling block 49, such that the first sub cavity part 47A can be used for forming the third seating block part 42.

By way of example in fig. 9A — 9E show in cross sectional top view five different cross sections of lower ends 6 of vertical profiles 5 and a part of a base profile 4, with five different seating blocks 7 forming a series of seating blocks 7, each with a configuration matching the shape and dimensions of the relevant part of said cross section. In fig. 9A the seating block 7 has only the first, central seating block part 40. In fig. 9B a seating block 7 is shown, having the first seating block part 40 and the third seating block part 42 formed in the first sub cavity part 47A. Fig. 9C shows a seating block 7 having the first seating block part 40 and the second seating block part 41 and the third seating block part 42 as shown in fig. 9B. Fig. 9D shows a seating block 7 with the central first seating block part 40, a second seating block part 41 and a third seating block part 42, here formed in the third cavity part 47, without filling blocks 49, hence using the first and second sub cavities 47A and 47B. In fig. 9E a seating block 7 is shown having the central first seating block part 40 and the second seating block part 41.

The disclosure is by no means limited to the specific examples shown and discussed. Many variations are possible within the scope of the disclosure.

For example the cross section of the used profiles for forming of the frame can be different, in which case the configuration of the seating blocks 7 to be used therewith can be amended accordingly. A seating block according to the disclosure can have multiple openings and/or channels for draining water from a vertical profile, wherein such channels and/or openings can have a lower end or side which can be provided in a space within the seating block of at the lower side of the seating block, as discussed, but can also open in a side surface of the seating block. A seating block according to the disclosure can be assembled of different seating block parts instead of being molded integrally. A frame according to the disclosure can comprise any number of windows and/or any number of doors as well as fixed panels.

These and similar amendments are considered having been disclosed herein too.

Claims

Conclusions

1. Frame for a window and/or door, comprising at least one base profile and at least one vertical profile, wherein a nut is provided between a lower end of the vertical profile and the base profile, wherein the at least one vertical profile has a longitudinal axis and at least one internal chamber extending through the vertical profile in the longitudinal direction, wherein the nut at least partially closes off said at least one chamber at a lower end of the vertical profile, wherein the nut comprises a top side and at least one opening extending from said top side of the nut to a side of the nut facing the base profile.

2. Frame according to claim 1, wherein the nut is manufactured by injection molding, 3-D printing or stereolithography.

3. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the nut comprises a cavity in the top, provided with an at least partially sloping bottom surface, wherein said at least one opening is provided in or near said bottom surface, which preferably comprises a break-out closure.

4. A frame according to claim 3, wherein a lower end of the at least one chamber extending parallel to the longitudinal axis through the vertical profile opens into said cavity, at least one wall portion being provided along at least a portion of said cavity extending along, preferably in contact with, an inner surface of at least one wall portion of a wall of said at least one chamber.

5. A frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one vertical profile has at least a first and a second chamber extending in said longitudinal direction, separated by a first partition wall, the nut having at least a first opening and a second opening extending from said top to the base profile, the first opening being in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second opening being in fluid communication with the second chamber, the first partition wall preferably resting on the top of the nut, and more preferably resting between the first opening and the second opening.

6. The frame of claim 5, wherein the first and second openings are provided by a first channel and a second channel, respectively, preferably at least one of the first channel and the second channel having a funnel-shaped channel portion at the top of the nut.

7. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top of the nut is provided with at least one wall part, preferably a series of wall parts, wherein said wall part or wall parts abut against an inner wall part of the at least one vertical profile.

8. Frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base profile comprises at least one drainage channel for draining water coming from the at least one opening in the nose.

9. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one vertical profile is manufactured by using at least one longitudinal manufacturing technique, in particular extrusion and/or pulltrusion, which profile is substantially hollow and comprises said at least one chamber, preferably a series of parallel chambers.

10. Nut for use in a frame, in particular a frame according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the nut is manufactured using a plastic or a composite material, preferably by injection moulding, wherein the nut has at least a top side, provided with a top wall, and at least one supporting wall extending downwards from the top wall, a space defined by said top wall and the at least one supporting wall, which space is provided with an outlet or an open side on a side opposite the top wall, wherein the at least one opening is provided in the top wall and opens into said space and/or said outlet or open side, wherein the nut is designed to carry a frame profile of a door frame or a window frame on and/or above the top surface.

11. A nut according to claim 10, wherein at least two openings are provided in said top wall, opening into said space and/or said outlet or open side of the space, at least one of said openings being provided by a channel extending downwardly from said top wall, preferably at least one of said openings being at least partially funnel-shaped.

12. Nut according to any one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the nut is made using injection moulding technology.

13. Nut according to any one of claims 10 - 12, wherein at least a top side of the nut, preferably a top wall of the nut, is provided with at least one upwardly extending wall part, preferably a series of such wall parts for engaging a wall surface of a frame profile carried by said nut during use.

14. A nut according to claim 13, wherein the or each wall portion is spaced from a periphery of the top wall of the nut, preferably inwardly from the periphery.

15. A nut according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein a breaking lip is provided in said top wall, which can be broken out of the top wall to form the or a further opening in the top wall.

16. Series of nuts, preferably according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein each nut in the series has a first nut section, the same for each nut in the series, while at least one of the nuts in the series has at least a second nut section that differs from the first nut section, and at least one nut in the series has at least a third nut section that differs from the first nut section and differs from the second nut section, wherein preferably the first nut section and the second nut section and/or the third nut section of a nut are formed by applying injection moulding technology, integrally in a single injection mould.

17. A series of nuts according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the nuts in the series comprises only the first nut portion.

18. Method for forming a nut according to any one of claims 10 to 15, for use in a frame according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an injection mold is prepared for forming at least one nut, wherein the injection mold has a mold cavity which comprises at least: - a first mold cavity part for forming a first nut part; - a second mold cavity part for forming a second nut part; - a third mold cavity part for forming a third nut part; wherein, depending on a shape and dimensions of a cross-section of a lower end of a vertical profile, it is selected which of the first, second and/or third mold cavity parts are to be filled with plastic material, for forming a nut with a first, second and/or third nut part.

19. Method according to claim 18, wherein at least a first and a second nut are injection moulded in the same mould, the first nut being a mirrored shape of the second nut.