EP0315612A1

EP0315612A1 - A window frame in a wall opening intended therefor

Info

Publication number: EP0315612A1
Application number: EP88850372A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hubert Pehrsson
Original assignee: NOBEL PLAST AB
Current assignee: NOBEL PLAST AB
Priority date: 1987-11-06
Filing date: 1988-10-27
Publication date: 1989-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2008-10-27
Also published as: SE8704342L; NO168130C; NO168130B; DE3877141T2; FI885111L; SE8704342D0; ATE84108T1; EP0315612B1; NO884942L; SE460864B; NO884942D0; DE3877141D1; FI885111A0

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method for playfree mounting of such window frames (1, 4) primarily in caravans, campers etc., as are fixedly clamped about the portion of the wall (3) immediately surrounding the window opening (2). According to the invention, this is effected by means of resiliently yieldable metal plates (6) of special design. The invention also embraces these metal plates, or perhaps rather a two-part window frame consisting of an outer and an inner frame portion of plastic intended to be screwed together, one of the frame portions being provided with an anchorage plate (6) of the type characteristic of the present invention.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for reliable mounting of window frames of plastic in, primarily, caravans, campers and other mobile homes, or else in situations where wall designs or other considerations necessitate substantial securement of the mounting of the frame by fixedly clamping thereof over the portion of the wall immediately surrounding the window opening, by means of flanges, clamping plates, clamping beads or the like which are fixedly or removably disposed along the longitudinal and short sides of the frame, respectively, and which, on mounting of the frame, are brought into abutment against the respective parts of the outside and inside of the wall. In this instance, the outer flanges or the like are normally made integrally with the rest of the frame, while the inner flanges consist of clamping beads or clamping plates fixedly screwed into the frame, or alternatively a continuous and complete inner frame. Such a frame may be mounted relatively quickly, since it requires but a limited number of anchorage screws. In suitable tightening of the anchorage screws, and possibly also employment of a sealant between the outer flange and the wall, there will initially be achieved a both tight, reliable and rapid mounting of the frame. However, one problem in this context is that the plastic materials which may come into consideration for window frames of the type contemplated here are never fully stable against creepage, which may, after a few years, give rise to such a large clearance that it becomes necessary to retighten the screws.
A further problem which may arise, primarily in frames consisting of complete outer and inner frames of prior-art model is that the fixed clamping over the wall edges may entail the application of a twisting torque to the frame portions, which results in a deterioration in function of the window proper mounted in the outer frame. The reason for this is that prior-art solutions do not permit butt stationary tightening between the frame portions.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to realize, in the mounting primarily of such window frames of plastic as are fixedly clamped about the immediately adjacent portion of the surrounding wall, a method and an apparatus for securing the frame which firstly unloads the anchorage screws utilized in the mounting operation such that the mounting will be independent of the exact tightening torque of the anchorage screws and any possible tendency of the plastic material to creep; and secondly eliminates any possible oblique tightening tendencies and consequential twisting torque. On mutual butt tightening, the outer and inner frames cooperate as a unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, this result is attained in that the frame is fixedly clamped between, on the one hand, fixed, projecting integral flanges along the outer edges of the frame which abut against the outside of the wall, and, on the other hand, a number of resiliently yieldable anchorage plates of metal which are disposed in opposition to these flanges, abut against the inside of the wall and are secured to the frame. In one preferred variation embodiment of the present invention which is eminently suited for use when the complete window arrangement includes outer and inner frames which are screwed together to one another, the anchorage devices are mounted in that side of the inner frame facing the outer frame and both of the frame portions are screwed together to dead abutment with one another with the anchorage devices secured therebetween, and with a resiliently yieldable tongue projecting from the anchorage and bent towards the inside of the wall. This arrangement gives a frame anchorage which will be independent of the tightness of the screws and which may accommodate quite considerable unevenness in the surrounding wall thickness without applying torque tensions to the inner frame. To conceal the anchorage devices from the inside, the inner frame is advantageously provided with an overlapping border which is disposed at a suitable distance from the inner wall so that the anchorage device will have room inside. As an added feature, the arrangement provides a narrow ventilation gap on the inside in towards the wall which prevents moisture and condensation from gathering.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention has been defined in the appended Claims and will now be described further with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
In the accompanying Drawings:

Fig. 1 is a cross-section of a window frame construction according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a detail magnification taken from Fig. 1; and
Figs. 3-5 show, in three projections, an anchorage plate of the type characteristic of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Drawings, Fig. 1 shows an outer frame 1 mounted in a window opening 2 in a caravan wall 3. There is further shown an inner frame 4 which is mounted on the inside of the wall and is held together with the outer frame by means of screws 5. The two frame portions are tightened to dead abutment against one another and anchorage plates 6 are placed under tension between them.
The anchorage plates 6 consist of recurved spring plates of the design illustrated in Figs. 3-5. Thus, they consist of a first planar portion 7 which, in the mounted state, abuts against and is clamped between the frame portions 1 and 4 which abut against one another along a plane of division 8. Two anchorage tongues 9 and 10 are partially punched out of the portion 7 and are recurved. These are utilized for fixedly anchoring the anchorage plates in the inner frame. The anchorage tongues 9 and 10 are quite simply pushed down into holes cast in the frame portion. The portion 7 of the anchorage plate 6 further displays a through hole 11 through which one of the screws 5 holding together the frame portions 1 and 4 may be screwed. From the portion 7, the anchorage plate is bent at substantially a right angle 12 away from the portion 7 in the same direction as the anchorage tongues 9 and 10 in order, thereafter, to merge by the intermediary of a gentle transition 13 into a spring tongue 14 which runs obliquely back and beyond the first portion 7 and terminates with a gently curved abutment edge 15. The spring tongue 14 and abutment edge 15 are of such length that a certain tensioning of the spring tongue 14 will be obtained when the frame portions 1 and 4 are screwed together. The inner frame portion 4 is further provided with a border 16 projecting in parallel with the wall 3 and, in the mounted state, providing room for the anchorage plates while at the same time concealing them from view. As is apparent from Fig. 2, the border 16 also provides a certain support to the anchorage plates 6. A ventilation gap 17 will, by such means, be formed between the frame portion and the wall. As will be apparent from Figs. 1 and 2, the inner frame 4 is also provided with a border 18 inwardly facing towards the window opening. A space 19 is created between this border and the outer frame in which a roller blind can be mounted. This is, however, of minor consequence to the invention as herein disclosed. It should also be noted that Figs. 1 and 2 show diffefent spring designs for the spring plates 6 depending on the wall thickness.
Assembly of the frame portions 1 and 4 is an extremely simple operation. With the anchorage plates 6 fixedly secured in the inner frame 4, it is solely necessary to move the outer frame 1 into the window opening 3 with the flange 1a of the frame portion in abutment against the outside of the wall, and to place the inner frame 4 on the inside and tighten the screws 5 until dead stationary abutment between the frame portions has been reached. In conjunction therewith, the spring tongues 14-15 of the anchorage plate 6 will be placed under tension, since these must be urged back a short distance in order to allow for the dead abutment between the frame portions. With the anchorage plates placed under tension between the frames which are held together by screws through the anchorage plates, there will be obtained an unloaded tensioning of the inner frame which, moreover, will accommodate reasonable variations of the wall thickness and provide a reliable and secure anchorage for many years. Naturally, the number of anchorage plates disposed about the frame may vary with the size of the frame.
The present invention should not be considered as restricted to that described above and shown on the Drawings, many modifications being conceivable without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended Claims.

Claims

1. A window frame of plastic intended to be secured in a window opening (2) in a wall (3) in that it is fixedly clamped over the wall edges surrounding the window opening (2) between an outer flange (1a) integral with the frame and projecting therefrom, the flange, with the frame in the mounted state, abutting against the outside of the wall (3) about the window opening (2), and resiliently yieldable anchorage plates (6) of metal abutting about the window opening against the inside of the wall, the plates being capable of accommodating variations in the wall thickness, characterized in that the frame consists of an outer frame portion (1), including said outer flange (1a), and an inner frame portion (4) intended to be screwed together to dead stationary abutment against one another along a plane of division (8) which, with the frame in the mounted state, is parallel to that wall (3) in which the frame is mounted, and the resiliently yieldable anchorage plates (6) being so designed and secured in the inner frame portion (4) that they, when said frame portions (1, 4), are screwed together to dead stationary abutment against one another, are placed under tension against the inside of the wall and are fixedly clamped between the frame portions (1 and 4), such that their anchorage in the inner frame portion (4) is thereby relieved of loading.

2. The window frame as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the anchorage plates (6) display parts (7) disposed along the plane of division (8) and provided with through-holes (11) through which the screws (5) holding together the frame portions are applied.

3. The window frame as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that the anchorage plates (6) are fixedly secured in the inner frame portion by means of recurved, preferably barbed tongues (9, 13) which have been pressed down into holes in the frame portion (4) intended therefor.

4. The window frame as claimed in any or more of Claims 1-3, characterized in that the inner frame portion (4) displays a flange (16) which is disposed parallel with and in spaced-apart relationship from the inside of the wall (3), and conceals the anchorage plates (6).