WO2008138334A1

WO2008138334A1 - An internal panel for a window structure, the window structure itself and a method of installing the panel

Info

Publication number: WO2008138334A1
Application number: PCT/DK2007/000227
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ulla Toft ØSTERGAARD
Original assignee: VKR Holding AS
Current assignee: VKR Holding AS
Priority date: 2007-05-11
Filing date: 2007-05-11
Publication date: 2008-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2009-11-11
Also published as: EP2145068A1

Abstract

Internal panel for a window structure having a window frame, said internal panel comprising panel members, each panel member having two major surfaces, two long side surfaces and two short side surfaces. The two adjacent panel members will extent perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other, said internal panel having an insertion part, prepared for being received in a groove provided in the window frame. The internal panel having a recess extending from one first major surface and from a first long side surface into the panel member, forming a first recess surface and a second recess surface. The second recess surface facing the space formed between panel members.

Description

An internal panel for a window structure, the window structure itself and a method of installing the panel

The invention concerns an internal panel for a window structure having a window frame, said internal panel comprising panel members, each panel member having two major surfaces, two long side surfaces and two short side surfaces, two adjacent panel members will extent perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other, said internal panel is having an insertion part, prepared for being received in a groove provided in the window frame. The invention further concerns the window structure comprising the panel and a method of installing the panel.

Internal panels for window structures are known from EP 221 766 B1 disclosing an internal panel received in a groove of a window frame. DK 199900164U disclose an internal panel also received in a groove in the window frame. DK 199900164U mentions the possibility of providing the internal panel with a recess in order to fit the panel into the groove of the window frame, or in order to obtain a better fitting into the groove.

It is necessary to have a possibility of absorbing tolerances in the dimensions of the internal panel. These tolerances must be absorbed within the groove, i.e. the groove must have some oversize in comparison to the part of the internal panel entering into the groove. This oversize should also be able to compensate for tolerances in the groove itself.

When installing the window structure, and especially when installing the prefabricated internal panel, the problem is to avoid any air gaps in the joint between the window frame and the internal panel. Such gaps are likely to occur along at least one of the sides of the window frames, since the internal panel is a frame with a given length and width having some tolerances, and which have to fit into a rectangular groove in the window frame. This groove follows the rectangular window frame and, therefore, comprise four individual grooves which two and two are parallel with a given distance also having a tolerance. If gaps appear, filling up and following painting will often be necessary in order to obtain a satisfactory appearance. This will increase the cost of installing the window structure considerably.

Another problem is that different configurations of the internal panel are applied for different window structures. In some window structures the internal panel is arranged with the major surfaces perpendicular to the window plate, while it is sloped in other structures. It is an advantage if the parts of the internal panel entering the groove of the window frame and the part abutting against the window frame can be provided with the same design. Reducing the number of different parts being needed for manufacturing such internal panels facilitates a more cost effective production.

It is important to have some looseness of the panel when it is inserted into the groove in order to take the mentioned tolerances in the dimensions of both the panel and the groove into account. This looseness must be sufficient to adapt to the possible different dimensions of both the panel and the groove allowed for by the tolerances of the manufacturing. If a sufficient looseness is not provided, gaps will occur in the joint between two adjacent panel members. Such gaps will be visible also in the finished window structure unless covered by filling and painting.

These problems have been solved by an internal panel having a recess extending from one first major surface and from a first long side surface into the panel member, forming a first recess surface and a second recess surface, said second recess surface facing the space formed between panel members. By this, any gaps between the insertion part of the panel and the surface of the window frame, will be covered by the panel when the first recess surface is facing the surface of the window frame on the side of the groove towards the window pane, i.e. the visible side of the window frame when the internal panel is installed. Thereby, any gaps between the frame and the insertion part will also be covered. It is important to cover these gaps, since such gaps, caused by an excess width of the groove prepared for allowing tolerances, will be present in most of the window structures.

This is particularly beneficial when the connections between adjacent panel members are provided as mitre joints. In the case of mitre joints excess width of the groove in the window frame is particularly important, since any misfit between the insertion part of the panel and the groove will result in gaps either along the line (facing the inner space of the panel) where one panel member abuts a neighbouring panel member, or, along the 45 degrees line at the end of the panel showing where the two panel members abuts. This 45 degrees line at the end of the panel will for many window structures be visible from the room. However, often this line will also be covered by a further timber fillet. As this choice may not have been made when manufacturing the window frame with the groove and the internal panel, it is important that the dimensions of the groove take all tolerances of internal panel and groove into account.

These problems are avoided with a panel according to the claims.

Further embodiments are now described in detail with reference to the figures.

Figure 1 illustrates a window frame.

Figure 2 illustrates an internal panel. Figure 3 illustrates how the corners of the internal panel can be assembled.

Figure 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of the corner assembly of an inter- nal panel.

Figure 5 illustrates part of a window structure where the internal panel is sloped.

Figure 6 illustrates part of a window structure where the internal panel is perpendicular to the window pane.

Figure 7 illustrates a sloped internal panel arranged in the groove of the window frame secured with a mounting clip.

Figure 8 illustrates an internal panel perpendicular to the window arranged in the groove of the window frame secured with a mounting clip.

Figure 9 illustrates the mounting clip in a perspective view.

Figure 10 illustrates the mounting clip of figure 9 in a cross sectional view.

Figure 11 illustrates an internal panel member provided with a recess.

Figure 1 shows a window frame 1 provided with a groove 2 forming a rectangle. Such a window frame is typically made from wood. An open able window, comprising a glass pane with a sash, is arranged within the frame 1.

Figure 2 shows an internal panel 10 according to an embodiment of the in- vention. The internal panel forms a rectangle and is preferably made from four panel members 11 , 12, 13, 14. In some embodiments the internal panel 10 may comprise less than four panel members, e.g. three. Each of the panel members comprise two major surfaces 16 arranged opposite each other and preferably parallel with each other, thus defining a thickness of the panel member. Further, each panel member 11 , 12, 13, 14 has two short side surfaces 18 and two long side surfaces 17. When the window structure is assembled, the short side surfaces 18 is defined as extending in its longitudinal direction perpendicular to the plane of the window frame 2 and glass pane. Similarly, the long side surfaces 17 are defined as extending parallel with the window frame 2. This means that for very small windows placed in a thick building wall the short side surfaces 18 could be longer than the long side surfaces 17.

Preferably, four panel members 11 , 12, 13, 14 will form a rectangular shaped internal panel, while three panel members will form a C-shaped internal panel with the two legs of the C preferably being substantially parallel. Two adjacent panel members will thereby extent perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other,

The four panel members are often assembled as illustrated in figure 3, where the panel members 11 , 12, 13, 14 are connected to each other at their short side surfaces. This connection could be in the form of a mitre joint, meaning that the short side surfaces of the two panel members to be connected is cut in an angle of 45 degrees in relation to a major surface of the panel. These two short side surfaces can then be joined closely together, while the long side surfaces of the two panels will extend in directions perpendicular to each other. When three or four panel members are assembled into an internal panel a space will be formed between them. When the internal panel is arranged in a window structure, this space will be limited by a window pane on one side whereas it will be open towards the room on the other side. The panel members 11 , 12, 13, 14 are preferably made from wood, e.g. plywood, which is often pre-painted. The panel members 11 , 12, 13, 14 may be provided with a vapour barrier in the form of a foil attached to the side of the panel member facing the building wall when the panel is installed, i.e. the major surface 16 opposite the space formed by the panel members when these are assembled into a panel. This vapour barrier foil may be a metal foil such as aluminium or a plastic foil such as polyethylene. The foil is often pre- mounted to the panel members 11 , 12, 13, 14 by an adhesive. The foil should preferably cover the entire surface.

As illustrated in both figure 3 and 4 the panel members can, in one embodiment of the invention be connected by the application of a special clamp 20 extending to both sides of the corner and engaging with two indentations 21 , one provided close to the corner in each of the two adjoining panel members 11 , 12, 13, 14. The clamp 20 is preferably an angle piece with a gripping part at the end of each leg, for engagement with the indentation 21 in the panel members. Figure 3 and 4 further illustrate the application of mitre joints between two adjacent panel members.

The indentation 21 for engagement of the clamp 20 is provided on the side of each panel member which becomes the outside of the internal panel when assembled. This means that each panel member should be provided with two indentations 21 , one in each end, and each indentation 21 extending parallel with the short side surface. The outside of the internal panel is the non visible part when the internal panel has been mounted in the window structure, as this part will be facing the building wall in which the window structure is mounted. The clamps 20 are preferably made from metal, e.g. steel, but plastic could be an alternative. As illustrated in figure 3 two clamps 20 are preferably applied for each of the four corners. By using these clamps 20 for assembling the four panel members 11 , 12, 13, 14 into the internal panel 10, it is possible to assemble the panel in short time without use of any tools. Further, the clamps 20 will ensure an accurate position of the panel members relative to each other, thereby provide correct di- mensions of the internal panel. One advantage of the simple assembling of the internal panels 10 is, that this facilitate delivery of the internal panels 10 to the building site in an un assembled condition, having the advantage of the internal panels requiring much less space during transport and storage.

Figure 5 and 6 illustrates part of a window structure arranged in a building wall 7, here comprising two wall parts with intermediate insulation. The window structure comprise a window pane 5 arranged in a sash 4, which is arranged open able in a window frame 1. The internal panel 10 is arranged to cover the part of the building wall 7 otherwise visible between the window frame 1 and the inwards facing surface 8 of the building wall.

In figure 5 the internal panel 10 is arranged with a sloped angle in such a way that the distance between two oppositely placed panel members 11 , 12, 13, 14 is relatively small close to the window pane and increases as moving in a direction going inwards into the building. The long side surface 17 of the panel members 11 , 12, 13, 14 in the internal panel 10 is often arranged to be parallel with the inwards facing surface 8 of the building wall 7, also when the internal panel 10 is sloped.

In figure 6 the internal panel 10 is arranged with a major surface 16 being perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the inner surface 8 of the building wall 7 and to the window pane 5.

Both figure 5 and 6 shows a groove 2 in the window frame 1 into which the internal panel 10 is received. It is also shown that a sealant 9 is arranged between the internal panel 10 and the building wall, close to the inwards fac- ing surface 8. A further timber fillet could cover the opening between the long side surface 17 of the panel and the inwards facing surface 8, where this sealant 9 is arranged.

Figure 7 and 8 shows how a panel member 13 is received in the groove 2 in the window frame 1. Along a long side surface 17 of a panel member 11 , 12, 13, 14, the thickness of the panel member has been reduced by providing a recess 30 (see figure 11). Thereby, a lip or insertion part 33 is formed as shown in figure 11 , which is prepared to be entered into the groove 2 of the window frame. The insertion part 33 has dimensions such that it can be moved in the groove 2 in order to align the internal panel 10, such that the centre of the internal panel 10 is coinciding with the centre of the window frame 1. This move ability is achieved by the insertion part 33 of the panel member 11 , 12, 13, 14 having a thickness smaller than the width of the groove 2 in the window frame 1. The recess 30 of the panel members further covers any gap between the inner side of the internal panel 10, i.e. the side facing the space formed by the panel members 11 , 12, 13, 14, and the visible part of the window frame 1.

Figure 7 and 8 shows that a mounting clip 40 can be used for securing the internal panel 10 in the groove 2, as well as aligning the internal panel 10 by exerting a spring force on the internal panel. When installing the window structure, these mounting clips 40 are often arranged in the groove 2 after the window frame has been installed. Alternatively, the mounting clips 40 may be pre-mounted in the groove 2, offering the advantage of avoiding the handling of separate mounting clips 40 at a building site. The groove 2 will preferably have four parts or sections, one in each of the four beams making up the four sides of the window frame 2. At least one mounting clip 40 should preferably be mounted in each of the four parts, in order to obtain the align- ment effect. Preferably, two mounting clips 40 are applied along each of the four sides of the window frame. For securing the internal panel 10 less mounting clips might be used, depending on the size and holding force of each mounting clip 40.

Figure 9 and 10 shows the mounting clip in a perspective view and in a cross sectional view, respectively. The mounting clip 40 comprise a base part 41 a holding part 42 and a supporting flap 43. The base part is for insertion into the groove and may be arranged abutting against the bottom surface 3 of the groove 2. The length L of the base part will often be equivalent to the width of the groove.

The holding part 42 of the mounting clip is provided with first and second barbs 44, 45. At least one first barb 44 is for engagement with a side surface of the groove 2, and is oriented such that it will prevent the mounting clip 40 from being drawn out of the groove 2 when the mounting clip 40 is pressed against the side surface in the groove 2, as it will be when the insertion part 33 has been entered into the groove 2. Furthermore, at least one second barb 45 of the mounting clip is for engagement with the internal panel. This second barb 45 is oriented such that it will prevent the insertion part 33 of the internal panel 10 from being drawn out of the groove 2 once it has been en- tered. Both the first and the second barbs 44, 45 are preferably stamped out from the metal sheet material, e.g. steel, from which the mounting clip 40 is preferably made, and they will point in opposite directions. Preferably, two first 44 and two second barbs 45 are provided.

The supporting flap 43 will support the mounting clip 40 during insertion of the insertion part 33 of the internal panel into the groove 2, and keeps the mounting clip 40 in the correct position. The supporting flap 43 will rest against the surface of the window frame 1 just next to the groove 2. The mounting clips 40 must be inserted into the groove 2 such that the supporting flap 43 is arranged between the internal panel 10 and the building wall 7, such that it is not visible. Figure 11 shows an internal panel member 11 , 12, 13, 14 with a recess 30. It is seen that the cutting out of the recess 30 forms a Hp or the insertion part 33 for entering the groove 2, as well as a first recess surface 31 , defining how much the internal panel 10 is to be entered into the groove 2, and a second recess surface 32.

The angle alpha between the first recess surface 31 and the adjacent major surface 16 of the panel member is substantially 90 degrees, 90 degrees or acute, i.e. smaller than 90 degrees. Often, the angle alpha is acute and, preferably, also smaller than 85 degrees and more preferably it is smaller than 80 degrees, and even more preferably smaller than 70 degrees. The smaller the angle alpha is the more sloped the internal panel may be arranged without risking having a visible gap between the internal panel 10 and the window frame 1. To avoid this gap it is essential that the point of the corner formed by the first recess surface 31 and the adjacent major surface 16 abuts directly against the surface 51 of the window frame into which the groove 2 is made. Figure 7 illustrates a situation where rotating the panel 13 clockwise into a more sloped position will result in the formation of such a gap.

Assuming the top surface 50 of the window frame 1 is perpendicular to the surface 51 into which the groove 2 is made then the maximum slope of the internal panel 10 in relation to the top surface 50 of the window frame 1 is an angle (in degrees) of: 90 - alpha.

The angle beta between the second recess surface 32 and the major surface 16 is substantially 180 degrees, 180 degrees or below 180 degrees, i.e. the second recess surface 32 is not parallel with the major surface 16. The angle beta should depend on the angle alpha such that a small angle alpha is fol- lowed by a correspondingly smaller angle beta. This follows from the fact that a small angle alpha allows for a more sloped position of the internal panel, necessitating a smaller angle beta in order to being able to bend the insertion part 33 entered in the groove 2 sufficiently, without being limited by the second recess surface 32 butting against the side surface in the groove 2.

The angle beta is often less than 180 degrees, preferably less than 170 degrees, more preferably less than 160 degrees and even more preferably less than 150 degrees.

When the angle alpha is 90 degrees or substantially 90 degrees, the angle beta will usually be 180 degrees or substantially 180 degrees.

A sealing strip (not shown) for improving the overall air tightness of the building may be arranged in the bottom of the groove 2 against the bottom surface 3. When the internal panel 10 is received in the groove 2 this sealing strip will be partly compressed thereby providing an airtight joint between the internal panel 10 and the window frame 2.

Further to this sealing strip, or as an alternative, a sealing strip may be provided along the second recess surface 32. A sealing strip at this position will have the same effect as the above mentioned sealing strip.

Claims

1. Internal panel (10) for a window structure having a window frame (1 ), said internal panel (10) comprising panel members (11 , 12, 13, 14), each panel member having two major surfaces (16), two long side surfaces (17) and two short side surfaces (18), two adjacent panel members will extent perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other, said internal panel (10) having an insertion part (33), prepared for being received in a groove (2) provided in the window frame (1), characterised in a recess (30) extending from one first major surface

(16) and from a first long side surface (17) into the panel member (11 , 12, 13, 14), forming a first recess surface (31) and a second recess surface (32), said second recess surface (32) facing the space formed between panel members (11 , 12, 13, 14).

2. A panel according to claim 1 , wherein said first recess surface (31) is defining a corner with an angle alpha with the first major surface (16), said angle alpha is acute.

3. A panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second recess surface

(32) is defining an angle beta in relation to the first major surface (16) said angle beta is less than 180 degrees, preferably less than 170 degrees, more preferably less than 160 degrees, and even more preferably less than 150 degrees.

4. A panel according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said angle alpha is less than 80 degrees, preferably less than 70 degrees and more preferably less than 60 degrees.

5. A panel according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said panel members (11 , 12, 13, 14) being assembled by connecting a short side surface (18) of one panel member with a short side surface (18) of another panel member such that said two panel members (11 , 12, 13, 14) are arranged with the long side surfaces (17) extending in directions perpendicular to each other.

6. A panel according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said panel members (11 , 12, 13, 14) being assembled by mitre joints.

7. A panel according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said panel members (11, 12, 13, 14) have been assembled by application of clamps (20) having a basic form as angle pieces.

8. A window structure comprising a window frame (1 ) and an internal panel (10) according to any one of the claims 1 - 7.

9. A window structure according to claim 8, wherein a mounting clip (40) is arranged for securing and aligning the internal panel (10) in the groove (2).

10. A window structure according to claim 9, wherein said mounting clip

(40) comprises barbs (44, 45).

11.A window structure according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein a sealing strip is arranged in the groove (2) or in the recess (30).

12. A window structure according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the width of said groove (2) is provided with an oversize in relation to the insertion part (33) of a panel member (11 , 12, 13, 14), such that panels manufactured within specified tolerances, all will fit into the groove (2).

13. A method of installing an internal panel (10) comprising the steps of

- assembling panel members (11 , 12, 13, 14) into a rectangular shaped or C-shaped internal panel (10) such that two adjacent panel members will extent perpendicular or substantially per- pendicular to each other, optionally by the use of clamps (20) extending around the corners of said internal panel (10) and engaging with indentations (21) in the panel members (11 , 12, 13, 14);

- arranging mounting clips (40) in the groove (2) of the window frame (1);

- introducing an insertion part (33) of the internal panel (10) into the groove (2); characterised in providing a recess (30) extending from one first major surface and from a first long side surface (17) into the panel mem- ber (11 , 12, 13, 14), forming a first recess surface (31 ) and a second recess surface (32), said second recess surface (32) facing the space formed between panel members (11 , 12, 13, 14).

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said first recess surface (31) is defining a corner with an angle alpha with the first major surface

(16), said angle alpha is acute.

15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein a sealing strip is arranged in the groove (2) or in the recess (30) before introducing the insertion part (33) of the internal panel (10) into the groove (2).