DK180192B1

DK180192B1 - A window and a method of providing a window

Info

Publication number: DK180192B1
Application number: DKPA201570554A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Isaksen Kaj; Nør Nielsen Thomas
Original assignee: Vkr Holding As
Priority date: 2013-01-28
Filing date: 2015-08-27
Publication date: 2020-08-03
Also published as: DK201570554A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a window, such as a roof window or skylight, comprising interface means (5; 105; 15; 17; 18) for positioning along a circumference of the window. The window comprises a frame (1), and the interface means are adapted to be positioned on an internal face (2a) or an external face (3a, 4a) of the frame. The interface means comprise a climate regulating element, and the climate regulating element of the interface means is immediately interchangeable with other climate regulating elements.

Description

DK 180192 B1 1 The present invention relates, in a first aspect, to a window and, in a second aspect, to a method of providing a window.

More specifically, the first aspect of the invention relates to a window, such as a roof window or skylight, comprising interface means of different types, the window comprising a frame, comprising a top frame member, a bottom frame member and two side frame members, wherein the window comprises interface means of a first and a second type, where the interface means of the first type are markings positioned along a circumference of the window on an external face of a side frame member and/or on an external face of the bottom frame member, indicating at least two installation levels of the window in relation to a surrounding building structure.

This enables the window frame to be mounted in a surrounding build- ing structure, such as a roof, in different levels corresponding to the respec- tive markings. A low installation level of the window frame provides for en- hanced insulation properties of the installation in relation to a higher installa- tion level.

In this specification, an internal frame face is a face facing another frame face, whereas an external frame face is a face opposite the internal frame face of the same frame member, the frame comprising a top frame member, a bottom frame member and two side frame members.

A window comprising markings positioned along the circumference of the window, the window comprising a frame, and the markings being posi- tioned on an external face of the frame is known from EP0293460B1. Win- dows are marketed and sold in a variety of markets having immensely differ- ent climate challenges. In some markets, there are furthermore substantial seasonal variations in the climate. Factors such as ambient temperature, hu- midity, wind etc. influence the indoor climate, which should normally be as stable and comfortable as possible. Although some differentiation is possible in existing windows, there is still room for improvement as to flexibility in the choice of optimum properties of the window in regard to the outdoor and in- door.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a window of the kind

DK 180192 B1 2 mentioned in the introduction, the window avoiding or mitigating at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

This and further objects are met by a window of the kind mentioned in the introduction, where the second type are insulating means for position- ing along a circumference of the window, and wherein the insulating means are adapted to be positioned on and preferably substantially cover the exter- nal face of the side frame member of the window, or wherein the insulating means are adapted to be positioned on the ex- ternal face of the bottom frame member, abutting a second face of the bottom frame member, the second face being adjacent to the external face and ex- tending with an angle to the external face, the angle being 50°-130°, prefera- bly substantially right, where the insulating means are immediately interchangeable with other insulating means.

The extra insulation on the external faces of the bottom and/or side frame members provide for a window with enhanced insulation properties. As to the bottom frame member, the second face prolongs an upper part of the bottom frame member in the form of a projection, which results in increased strength of the frame construction. The resulting recess below the projecting upper part of the bottom frame is able to accommodate the insulation ele- ment, resulting in a frame construction with both increased strength and insu- lating properties.

In this specification, a climate regulating element is an element of a window frame that enables the climate, for instance temperature, air humidity etc., in a room, into which the window leads, to be influenced in relation to a surrounding climate.

Easily interchangeable climate regulating elements provide for easy customization of the window. From a manufacturer's point of view, that is ad- vantageous since a versatile product range may be obtained with a lean range of product parts. From a user's point of view it is beneficial since the window is able to be adapted to meet his or her needs, and in some cases even after installation.

DK 180192 B1 3 In an embodiment, a climate regulating element is adapted to be po- sitioned on an internal face of the top frame member. A climate regulating element in this position are particularly easy to interchange, since it is easily accessible, even after installation of the window in a surrounding building structure.

In an embodiment, the climate regulating element comprises insulat- ing means adapted to be positioned on an internal face of the top frame member. This provides for a window with enhanced insulation properties. The interchangeability of the insulating means enables the insulation properties of the window to be customized to the users needs. In geographical regions with high contrasts between outdoor temperature and desired indoor tem- perature insulation means providing excellent insulation properties may be desired, whereas users in geographical regions experiencing smaller con- trasts in temperature may be content with insulation means with less excellent insulation properties.

In an embodiment, where the climate regulating element is adapted to be positioned on an internal face of the top frame member, the climate reg- ulating element comprises ventilation means. This may particularly be inter- esting for users often experiencing unpleasantly high levels of humidity in- doors or otherwise with a need of ventilation in situations where the window cannot be opened or where an open window is not desirable.

It is understood that embodiments comprising both ventilation means and insulating means are envisaged.

In an embodiment the climate regulating element comprises ventila- tion means, the ventilation means include at least one ventilation passage extending from a first face of the climate regulating element to a second face of the climate regulating element, which first and second faces are adjacent to a third face of the climate regulating element, which third face abuts the inter- nal face of the top frame member in a mounted position of the climate regulat- ing element, the ventilation passage providing an overall cross sectional flow area of 5-35 cm?, preferably 15-25 cm?. Flow areas of approximately these dimensions have proven to provide a sufficient amount of air renewal in the

DK 180192 B1 4 room into which the window leads.

In an embodiment, the ventilation means comprise mechanical means, such as one or more fans, for generating an air current through the ventilation passage. This may be particularly beneficial in cases where pas- sive ventilation caused by natural convection in the air does not result in an air renewal of a satisfactory extent.

In an embodiment of the climate regulating element for positioning on an inner face of the top frame member, the top frame member and the climate regulating element comprise mutually mating mounting means for mounting the climate regulating element on the internal face of the top frame member, and other climate regulating elements also comprise mounting means adapted to mate with the mounting means of the top frame member so as to provide immediate interchangeability of climate regulating elements. By keep- ing certain features, such as the mating mounting means, fixed in relation to each other and varying other features around it, such as ventilation and insu- lation properties, a high degree of customizability of the window is obtained.

In a second aspect of the invention, a method of providing a window is provided, the method comprising the steps of: providing a frame, compris- ing a top frame member, a bottom frame member and two side frame mem- bers, mounting the frame in a surrounding building structure, such as a roof, at one installation level out of at least two installation levels, indicated by the interface means of the first type, the interface means of the first type be- ing markings, providing interface means of a second type, in the form of insu- lating means, positioning the insulating means along a circumference of the win- dow on an external face of the side frame member and/or on an external face of the bottom frame member, wherein the insulating means are immediately interchangeable with other insulating means.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the invention will now be dis- cussed by way of example and with reference to the appended figures,

DK 180192 B1 where: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a frame of a window ready for having interface means positioned on it, Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a frame of a window compris- 5 ing interface means in the form of a climate regulating element positioned on an inner face of the top frame member, Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a climate regulating element for positioning on an inner face of a top frame member and comprising venti- lation means, the climate regulating element being shown in a disassembled state, Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the climate regulating element of Fig. 3 shown in an assembled state, and Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of interface means positioned on an external face of a frame member where the interface means are markings indicating at least two installation levels of the window.

Different embodiments of similar elements will be denoted by similar reference signs with a hundred added to them.

Fig. 1 schematically depicts a frame 1 of a roof window including a top frame member 2, a bottom frame member 3 and two side frame members

4. Embodiments comprising other types of windows are also conceivable. The top frame member 2 has an internal face 2a ready for receiving interface means. The Bottom frame member 3 has an external face 3a, and the side frame members 4 have external faces 4a, all of which are also ready for re- ceiving interface means of different types.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a window frame 1 comprising one em- bodiment of interface means 5 positioned on the internal face 2a of the top frame member 2. The interface means 5 is a climate regulating element and comprises insulating means 6. The insulating means 6 are made principally of an insulating material, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS).

The insulating means 6 forms the bulk of the climate regulating ele- ment 5, which also include ventilation means 7.

The ventilation means 7 include three ventilation passages 8 extend-

DK 180192 B1 6 ing between a first face 5a (not visible in Fig. 2) of the climate regulating ele- ment 5 and a second face 5b of the climate regulating element 5, which first and second faces (5a, 5b) are adjacent to a third face 5c (not visible in Fig. 2) of the climate regulating element 5, which third face 5c abuts the internal face 2a of the top frame member 2 in a mounted position of the climate regulating element 5. This enables the ventilation passages 8 to allow an air current to flow across the climate regulating element 5. Other shapes of the climate regulating element and the arrangement of ventilation passages are conceiv- able. Also other numbers of ventilation passages are conceivable, such as one, two, four or more, as is branched ventilation passages. The cross sec- tional shape of the ventilation passages 8 in Fig. 2 are substantially rectangu- lar; however other cross sectional shapes of ventilation passages are con- ceivable, such as polygonal, rounded or substantially circular.

The ventilation passages 8 altogether provide an overall cross sec- tional flow area of approximately 20 cm?, which has proven beneficial as to provide a desired amount of air renewal by passive ventilation, i.e. by convec- tion of air, in the room into which, the ventilation passages lead via the win- dow. However, other sizes of cross sectional flow areas are conceivable.

A climate regulating element 105 comprising another embodiment of ventilating means 107 is schematically depicted in Figs 3 and 4. There are provided four substantially cylindrical ventilation passages 108 in Figs. 3 and 4, however, other numbers of ventilation passages are conceivable. The sub- stantially cylindrical design of the ventilation passages 108 is advantageous in relation to forced air renewal, since the cylindrical shape allows for positioning of fans (not shown) in the ventilation passages 108.

Other climate regulating element comprising ventilation passages of miscellaneous shape and/or for passive or forced ventilation, respectively, are conceivable.

As indicated in Fig. 3, the climate regulating element 105 also com- prises a recess 109 for accommodating equipment, such as for instance a power supply and/or control means for powering and/or controlling any fans provided in the ventilation passages 108.

DK 180192 B1 7 The bulk of the climate regulating element 105 is made from an insu- lating material 106 resulting in combined insulating and ventilating properties of the climate regulating element 105. However, other embodiments of the climate regulating element may merely serve as a retainer essentially without insulating properties simply for retaining and positioning the ventilation pas- sages and possibly any fans in relation to the top frame member. Mounting means 10, 11, 111, 12 for positioning climate regulating el- ement 5, 105 on the internal face 2a of the top frame member 2 are provided. In Figs 1 and 2 the mounting means are embodied by screws 10 and match- ing screw holes 11, 12 provided in the climate regulating element 5 and top frame member 2, respectively. The screws 10 indicated have rather large heads and slots so as to be operated without the use of a screw driver but simply by the use of an edge of a coin or the like. This enables quick and easy mounting and dismounting of the climate regulating element. The use of screws operable by a screw driver is however envisaged as is the use of oth- er kinds of mounting means, such as for instance velcro or other hook-and- loop fasteners, which would also enable quick and easy mounting and dis- mounting of the climate regulating element.

The climate regulating element for being positioned on an internal face 2a of the top frame member 2 is configured to be immediately inter- changeable. This is obtained partly by their mounting means and partly by their overall shape. When comparing the climate regulating elements 5, 105 of Figs 2 and 4 it is seen that the screw holes 11, 111 are positioned so as be aligned with the same set of screw holes 12 in the top frame member 2. Hence, only one set of screw holes 12 in the top frame member 2 is sufficient for mounting any one of a range of climate regulating elements adapted to be mounted in that position. This is beneficial from a manufacturer's point of view and from a user’s point of view, since the limited number of mounting means simplifies and eases both the manufacturing and mounting process. Also, the overall shape of the climate regulating elements 5, 105 shares similarities, for instance the recess 13, 113 for accommodating the striking plate 14 of the window, which recess 13, 113 also assists in correct positioning of the climate

DK 180192 B1 8 regulating elements correctly. The uniform design of the climate regulating elements, 105 notwithstanding their individual differences in insulating and ventilation properties enable the climate regulating elements to be immediate- ly interchangeable.

Another type of interface means 15, 17, 18 are positioned or is adapted to be positioned on an external face 4a of a side frame member 4 and/or on an external face 3a of the bottom frame member 3.

In one embodiment, cf. Fig. 5, these interface means are markings 15 indicating two installation levels of the window 1 in relation to a surround- ing building structure. The markings 15 comprise two lines 15a, 15b, which is of different colour, for instance blue and red, to be easily distinguished from each other. Markings in identical colour, other styles of markings such as bro- ken lines, dot-and-dash-lines and combinations thereof are conceivable. Also more than two markings are envisaged corresponding to more than two in- stallation levels. The markings 15 extend across the entire face 4a. However, embodiments comprising markings only extending across part or parts of the face 4a are conceived. Although depicted in Fig. 5 as provided only on the outer face 4a of side frame member 4, the markings may in addition thereto or alternatively be provided on the outer face 3a of the bottom frame member

3. The respective markings 15a, 15b are associated with respective grooves for use with mounting brackets 16 for installation of the frame 1 in a desired level in a surrounding building structure.

Yet another type of interface means 17 is adapted to be positioned on the external face 4a of the side frame member 4. These interface means 17 (not depicted) are insulating means. In a preferred embodiment, the bulk part of the insulating means 17 are made from an insulating material, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS). The insulating means 17 are essentially rectan- gular and covers substantially the entire external face 4a of a side frame member 4. It is mounted on the external face 4a of the side frame member 4 by means of glue or the like. Other shapes, extents and ways of mounting the insulating means 17 are conceivable, such as polygonal or partly rounded cross sectional shapes, extents so as to only cover part of the external face

DK 180192 B1 9 4a, mounting by means of velcro or the like, and/or combinations of any of the above. Also, positioning of the insulating means 17 on an outer face of one or more of the other frame members, in addition or alternatively to the outer face 4a of the side frame member 4, is conceivable.

Yet another type of interface means 18 (not depicted) is adapted to be positioned on an external face 3a of the bottom frame member 3. These interface means are insulating means and are adapted to abut a second face 3b, cf. Fig. 5, of the bottom frame member 3. The second face 3b is adjacent to the face 3a and extends with a substantially right angle A to the external face 3a. Hence, a projection 19 is formed on the upper part of the bottom frame member 3. The projection 19 projects from the bottom frame member 3 in direction away from the top frame member 2. The projection 19 is integral with the rest of the bottom frame member 3, but may alternatively be envis- aged as a separate part attached to the bottom frame member. The projection 19 provides increased strength and stability to the frame construction, and the insulating means 18 (not depicted) positioned below the projection 19 pro- vides the frame construction with enhanced insulation properties. The insulat- ing means 18 preferably covers substantially the entire face 3a and has a thickness (t) essentially identical to that of the projection 19 as this provides for a good insulation effect. However, other embodiments are envisaged, such as a thicker or slimmer interface means extending over just part or parts of the face 3a.

Claims

DK 180192 B1 10 PATENTKRAV

A window, such as a skylight or skylight, comprising interface means of different types, the window comprising a frame (1) comprising an upper frame part (2), a lower frame part (3) and two side frame parts (4), and wherein the window comprises interface means of a first and a second type, wherein the interface means of the first type are markings (15a, 15b) arranged along a circumference of the window on an outer surface (4a) of a side frame part (4) and / or on an outer surface (3a) of the lower frame part (3), which indicates at least two installation levels of the window (1) in relation to a surrounding building construction, characterized in that the second type is an insulating means (17,18) for placement along a circumference of the window, and wherein the insulating means (17) is arranged to be placed on, and preferably substantially cover, the outer surface (4a) of the side frame part (4) of the window, or where the insulating means (18) is arranged to be placed on the outer surface (3a) of the lower frame part (3), which abuts a second surface (3b) of the lower frame part (3), the second surface (3b) being adjacent to the outer surface (3a) and extending at an angle to the outer surface, the angle being 50 ° -130 °, preferably in the substantially right direction, where the insulating means (17,18) is immediately replaceable with another insulating means (17,18).

A method of providing a window, the window comprising interface means of a first and a second type, the method comprising the steps of: providing a frame (1) comprising an upper frame portion (2), a lower frame portion ( 3) and two side frame parts (4), mount the frame (1) in a surrounding building structure, such as a roof, | one installation level out of at least two installation levels, indicated by the interface means of the first type, the interface means of the first type being markings (15a 15b), characterized by providing an interface means of a second type in the form of an insulating means (17,18); ,

180192 B1 11 placing the insulating means (17,18) along a circumference of the window on an outer surface (3a; 4a) of the side frame part (4) and / or on an outer surface (3a) of the lower frame part (3), wherein the insulating means (17, 18) is immediately replaceable with another insulating means (17, 18).