A frame construction such as a window frame, a facade construction or the like

Abstract: A frame structure, such as a window frame, a front structure or the like, composed of lengths of profiles comprises an outer frame intended to be fixed to a building. The outer frame is divided by mullions (10) and transoms (11) into sections in which sheet-shaped elements, typically glass panes, may be mounted. At least some of the transoms (11) and optionally also some of the mullions (10) are fixed in the frame in that they are provided with at least one, preferably two clamping means, typically in the form of rods or wires (2,3), extending therethrough. This provides a frame structure which is simple to construct, and which exhibits a substantially increased static strength because of the superposed stresses in the transoms as a consequence of the fixing.

Description: The present invention relates to a frame structure, such as a window frame, a front structure or the like, composed of lengths of profiles and comprising an outer frame intended to be fixed to a building, said outer frame being divided by mullions and transoms into sections in which sheet-shaped elements, typically glass panes, may be mounted. In frame structures, such as window structures, glass fronts or the like made of shortened lengths of metal profiles, one or more transoms and mullions are frequently inserted into an outer frame, in particular if a large front area is involved. These transoms and mullions, together with the outer frame of the structure, contribute to carrying the glass panes themselves and to stabilizing the glass front against wind pressure. Today, it is common to use frame structures composed of profiles, which are unique inter alia in exhibiting a high strength relative to the thickness of the transoms and the mullions. A frame structure having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in DE 4100493A. In particular at cross joints of transoms in a frame structure, the strength of the frame structure is weakened in that several profile members must be mounted in the frame structure using various brackets or the like. This weakening may be compensated through the selection of profile types in the frame structure. In particular more complex frame structures, such as large, heavy frame structures having many horizontal transoms and vertical mullions, may be extremely costly to construct, just as the mounting may be extremely complicated and thereby very labour-intensive. In connection with glass panels/fronts in modern building architecture it is moreover a frequent wish that such transoms and mullions are as slender as possible in order to achieve a visual impression of relatively large unbroken glass faces. This in turn makes great demands on the strength of the profiles, as such a wish for slender profiles inevitably means less thickness of the profiles. In view of the above, the object of the invention is to provide a frame structure of the type mentioned in the opening paragraph which is simpler to construct and mount than the previously known structures, and which nevertheless exhibits the necessary strength also in case of large front panels. According to the invention, this is obtained by the frame structure according to claim 1. A frame structure according to the invention is simple to construct, as the individual frame elements, including the profile members in particular, which form the transoms of the frame structure, may be assembled along the clamping means like "pearls on a string". Moreover, increased rigidity and strength of the frame structure are obtained by the fixing of the profile transoms in the frame. These profiles, which constitute the transoms, may thus be mounted biased in the frame, which causes the static strength of the finished frame structure to be increased considerably. Furthermore, the invention enables subsequent fixing in connection with the mounting of the frame structure, which is typically factory-made and subsequently transported to the building site. In a preferred embodiment, the transom and mullion profiles are furthermore provided with guide means. This has the effect that rotation of profiles around the clamping means is prevented, which ensures easy mounting. In a first embodiment, the guide means comprise at least one plate element which is inserted into the end joints of the fixed transoms and mullions and secured thereto or to the side of the frame, mullions or transoms. This plate element will simultaneously be able to resist ingress of water in the joint and contribute to conducting the water which will inevitably occur at a glass pane away from the frame, so that the frame structure does not corrode or is not damaged otherwise. In a second preferred embodiment of a frame structure according to the invention, both the clamping means and the guide means are formed by rod-shaped elements. When the same element may be used for both functions, it is not necessary to stock more than one type. The rod-shaped element may either be a rod, a wire, a pipe or the like. The advantage of using a rod-shaped material is that the profile in which they are mounted may be made very narrow, which is frequently attractive architecturally. The rod-shaped elements are preferably mounted in parallel in the profile structure and, on the end or ends which are threaded, are provided with a nut for biasing the elements in the frame. The transom may hereby be fixed in the frame in an easy manner after it has been mounted on the rod elements. In a preferred embodiment, the profile structure has one or more guide grooves, preferably in the form of channels for the rod-shaped elements. This facilitates the insertion of the rod elements into the profile, which may be advantageous in particular in case of long profile lengths for the window transoms. The profiles are typically structures composed of several subprofiles with a bridge interruption, but may also be an integrated profile of course. The invention will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which fig. 1 shows a cross-section of a profile structure for a frame structure according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 2 shows a cross joint in a frame structure according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 3 shows an end joint between a transom and the outer frame in a frame structure according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, fig. 4 shows the cross joint in fig. 2 with sealing of the joint, fig. 5 shows a profile structure according to another a frame structure which does not form part of the invention, fig. 6 shows a cross joint according to this frame structure fig. 7 shows the end area of the profile and the associated transom plate, fig. 8 shows a glass front constructed according to the invention, and fig. 9 shows a window constructed according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows a profile structure 1 for a frame structure, such as a window. In the frame structure 1, through rods 2, 3 are inserted into channels 6, 7 for mounting the profile structure 1 as a transom in a frame by means of fixing. As will appear, the profile structure 1 is a composite profile consisting of two extruded aluminium profiles held together by thermal bridge interrupting elements, which may be solid of an insulating material or a lattice structure. A frame structure according to the invention will frequently comprise both vertical mullions 10 and horizontal transoms 11, which results in one or more cross joints, as is shown in figs. 2 and 4. The profile structure 1 may advantageously be used for mullions 10 and transoms 11. Holes for the rods 2 and 3 are drilled in the vertical mullions 10, and this mullion 10 is inserted between two horizontal transoms 11 to produce a cross joint in the frame structure. Fig. 4 shows the finished cross joint in which transom gaskets 8 are introduced between the ends of the transom profiles 11 and the wall in the mullion 10. Alternatively, the horizontal transom 11 may be one that extends through the cross joint. Fig. 3 shows how a transom in a frame structure according to the invention is attached in an outer frame 12. This frame may be made of the same type of profiles as the mullions 10 and/or the transoms 11, but may equally well be a profile structure of another construction. The ends of the rods of the profile structure 11, which are disposed in parallel in the horizontal plane, are provided with threads 5. The rods 2, 3 extend through two holes in the outer frame profile 12 and are fixed by means of a nut 4 with associated washer. As the rods 2, 3 are not secured to the transoms, but lie loosely in the channels 6 and 7 in the profiles 11, all the profile members are fixed, i.e. mullions 10 as well as transoms 11, which are inserted between the two side profiles 12 in the outer frame. When the rods lie loosely in the channels 6 and 7, the exact position of the profile members will be under control during the entire mounting sequence of the frame structure. It is thus ensured that the horizontal profile members 11 are aligned exactly, and that they are not rotated relatively to each other. In addition to a simplified mounting process, fixing of the transoms and the mullions in a frame structure according to the invention also results in an increase in the strength of the frame structure. The superposition of compressive stresses in the transoms enables the frame structure to absorb greater loads, and also imparts a greater rigidity to it. Calculations have thus shown that an increase in the strength of up 30% is achievable by fixing the transoms like in a frame structure according to the invention. Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawing respectively show a glass front and a window constructed according to the invention. The sections shown in the preceding figures are indicated by numerical references. The numerical references correspond to the figures with the same number. The glass front shown in fig. 8 is composed of an outer frame consisting of two side profiles 12, a curved lintel 26 and a bottom member 27. A plurality of through mullions 10 extend between lintel and bottom member. Two rows of transoms 11 are arranged between the mullions, consisting of profile lengths adapted to the distance between the mullions. The glass front may be produced in that all profiles are laid up and assembled by laterally passing the clamping rods 2, 3 through holes and channels in side profiles, transoms and mullions, respectively, and subsequently clamping them with the nuts. The outer frame is assembled at the corners with corner brackets and the ends of the mullions are connected with the lintel and the bottom member by connecting brackets. The frame structure may alternatively be constructed by pushing one of the central mullions inwardly over the rods 2, 3, and then alternately pushing transoms and mullions from their respective sides inwardly over the rods. Finally, the external frame is mounted. When the frame structure has been erected at the intended site, the glass pane is mounted. In the present case, the structure includes two window frames 28 which may be opened. Fig. 9, as mentioned, shows a window with a large window frame 29 which may be opened, it being visible that some of the mullions do not extend in the full height of the window, it being moreover visible that the transoms may be of different length, and that some of the transoms end at a mullion.

Claims: A frame structure (1), such as a window frame, a front structure or the like, lying in a plane and composed of lengths of profiles and comprising an outer frame intended to be fixed to a building, said outer frame being divided by mullions (10) and transoms (11) into sections in which sheet-shaped elements, typically glass panes, may be mounted, characterized in that at least some of the transoms and optionally also some of the mullions are fixed in the frame in that they are provided with two clamping means (2, 3) extending therethrough, said clamping means being arranged with a mutual distance perpendicular to the plane of said frame structure. A frame structure according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some of the fixed transoms and mullions are moreover provided with guide means. A frame structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the guide means comprise at least one plate element which is inserted into the end joints of the fixed transoms and mullions and secured thereto or to the side of the frame, mullions or transoms. A frame structure according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that both the clamping means and the guide means are formed by rod-shaped elements, typically rods, pipes, wires or the like. A frame structure according to claim 4, characterized in that the rod-shaped clamping means are provided with at least one threaded end with a nut for biasing in the frame. A frame structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transoms and the mullions are provided with one or more guide grooves, preferably in the form of channels for the clamping means. A frame structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a clamping means is provided in each of two profiles separated by at least one thermal bridge interrupting element.

Inventors: GRAVERSEN NIELS JOERGEN, GRAVERSEN, NIELS JOERGEN
Applicants: H S HANSENS FABRIKKER AS, H.S. HANSENS FABRIKKER A/S
Application year: 1999
Main classification: E06B3
IPC codes: E06B3