WINDOW CONSTRUCTION HAVING SEVERAL WAYS OF OPENING

Abstract: A window structure having several ways of opening, said window structure (1) being substantially rectangular and comprising a sash (2) and a frame (3), in which opposite members of the sash (2) and the frame (3) are mutually connected at at least three sides of the window, in which said connection between the sash (2) and the frame (3) at each of said at least three sides comprises at least one motor driven operator device (4) comprising an operating member (5) connected with the sash (2) and the frame (3), said operating member having an associated motor driven operator (6) for advancing the operating member (5) substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the window, each operator devcie (4) comprising means preventing displacement of the sash (2) in the plane of the window but allowing pivoting of the sash (2) relative to the frame (3) about two substantially orthogonal axes, means for coordinated control of the operators of the operating members being designed in such a manner that opening of the window is allowed, both by parallel displacement of the sash (2) perpendicular to the plane of the window and by pivoting of the sash (2) about any pivot axis along one of the sides of the window under mutual coordination of the respective advancing positions of the operating members.

Description: WINDOW CONSTRUCTION HAVING SEVERAL WAYS OF OPENING The present invention relates to a window struc- ture having several ways of opening, said window structure being substantially rectangular and comprising a sash and a frame, in which opposite members of the sash and the frame are mutually connected at at least three sides of the window. Such window structures comprise windows, which can pivot and/or tilt, see for instance CH Patent 385 066, which discloses a manually operated pivot hung/tiltable window. In the tilted position the sash is at the upper surface connected with the frame by means of a scissors-type mechanism, and in the pivot position the sash is at a side member connected to the frame through pivot hinges, the window being operated by an operating lever, which in the closed position of the window optionally may engage the pivot hinges or the scissor-type mechanism. This type of window structure does not, however, allow a parallel movement of the window perpendicular to the plane of the window and moreover, the structure is not suited to be motor driven. Windows with parallel movement are preferred by architects for architectural reasons, as a window opened by parallel movement does not change the surface of the building, which is in particular of importance in respect of major buildings with unbroken surfaces of glass. Furthermore, there are from the point of view of the indoor climate many advantages in windows with parallel movement, as they, already by a small opening, ensure a large and evenly distributed vent opening with the smallest possible in- fluence by draught. A window structure allowing parallel movement of the window is for instance known from WO 99/15750, which relates to an opening mechanism with parallel and rectilinear movement of a window sash relative to a window frame. The opening mechanism comprises at least four scissors-type arrangements, which act on the window sash and are fastened on the window frame, and the open-out mechanism moreover comprises a drive, which by means of drive levers causes the scissors to open and close. However, this mechanism cannot be used in connection with windows with parallel movement and not for pivot hung/tiltable windows, as the scissors do not allow a pivoting movement. Similarly, WO 98/42941 discloses a window with parallel movement, which at three sides is provided with hinges of the scissors-type and which at the fourth side is provided with a drive means. This win- dow structure does not offer several ways of opening either, as the hinges only allow the window to be brought forwards and backwards by parallel displacement perpendicular to the plane of the window. Applicant's own patent DK B 172 483 describes a window structure, in which a window frame is moved in a guide fitting, the sash being displaced by parallel displacement to a ventilation position, following which the window is opened in a traditional manner. In the ventilation position, the window is not actu- ally open, as there is only a narrow gap around the sash for ventilation, which in some cases will not be sufficient to ensure a comfortable indoor climate. Furthermore, it is a question of successive movements, where in all events said parallel displacement of the sash takes place first, irrespective of the desired movement of the sash for opening of the window, which in some cases may be a disadvantage. DE 198 071 Al discloses a window structure with guide fittings to ensure, in a similar way, a paral- lei displacement of the sash to a ventilation position, following which the window sash can be opened in a traditional manner. This structure, however, suffers from the drawback that the window is not ac- tually open, as only a small ventilation gap has been established around the sash, and also here, it is a question of successive movements giving the above- mentioned drawbacks. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a window structure having several ways of opening, in particular to provide a window structure, which allows parallel displacement of the sash to an actual opening, and a window structure, in which the different ways of opening are mutually independent. . The window structure according to the invention is characterized in that said connection between the sash and the frame at each of said at least three sides comprises at least one motor driven operating device comprising an operating member connected with the sash and the frame, said operating member having an associated motor driven operator for advancing the operating member substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the window, each operator device comprising means preventing displacement of the sash in the plane of the window but allowing pivoting of the sash relative to the frame about two substantially orthogonal axes, means for coordinated control of the operators of the operating members being designed in such a manner that opening of the window is allowed, both by parallel displacement of the sash perpendicular to the plane of the window and by pivoting of the sash about any pivot axis along one of the sides of the window under mutual coordination of the respec- tive advancing positions of the operating members. By a window structure of this type a window has been provided which is openable by parallel displacement of the sash relative to the window, by pivoting about an axis along a side edge and by pivoting about a top or bottom edge. In this manner a window has been obtained which may optionally be opened in one of the above ways, so that the window for instance may be opened sheltered from the wind direction to avoid draught, or on the contrary be opened against the wind to get a higher ventilation. Likewise, the window may in cold periods be opened at the top to avoid a draught along the floor. In addition to the advantages obtained in respect of the indoor climate by the several ways of opening, an optimum smoke outlet in connection with a possible fire is obtained, which is a substantial advantage in respect of safety and health for the persons staying in the building and, moreover, the smoke damages on building and inventory will of course be limited, if the smoke is let out quickly. The use of several operator devices ensures besides that the window structure has several closing points, which provides an optimum securing of the window in the closed position. If a type of operating member is used which has sufficient rigidity for ensuring the sash against displacement in the plane of the window, said operat- ing members could also constitute the means of the operator device for preventing displacement of the sash in the plane of the window. According to a preferred embodiment the window structure is, however, characterized in that the means, which prevents dis- placement of the sash in the plane of the window are constituted by a number of Y-scissors comprising a first member, which at one end is connected in a manner secured against displacement but pivotally to the sash and at its other end connected displaceably and pivotally to frame, and a second member, which at one end is connected in a manner secured against displacement but pivotal to the frame and at its other end is connected in a manner secured against displacement but pivotally to the first member. Such Y-scissors are suitable, as they prevent the sash from displacement in the plane of the window, when the window is open, and at the same time they allow a pivoting movement of the sash relative to the frame about at least one axis. The operating member may be of any suitable kind, for instance linear actuators and spindles, but according to a preferred embodiment, the window structure is characterized in that the operating member is a chain or a spindle chain. The advantage of such chains is that they take up very little space, when the window is not open. According to a further preferred embodiment the window structure is characterized in that the means, which mutually coordinate the respective advancing positions of the operating members, are constituted by a control unit . A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the control unit optionally brings about a synchronization of the operating members with a fixed or variable relative synchronization ratio. The window structure is according to a preferred embodiment characterized in that the control unit is a motor control which may be actuated to control the motor driven operating members (5) in a mutually coordinated manner in order to make it possible to open the window in a plurality of ways. A control unit of this type will offer the ad- vantage to the user that he only needs to actuate the control unit to open the window in one of the ways possible, following which the motor control, which may for instance be electronic and provided with sensor means for registration of the advancing speed, ensures a correct opening of the window. The window structure is according to an embodiment characterized in that the motor control may control the advancing of the motor driven operating members to make the window openable by parallel dis- placement of the sash away from the plane of the frame . The window structure is according to an embodiment characterized in that the motor control may con- trol the advancing of the motor driven operating members to make the window openable by pivoting the sash relative to the frame about a pivot axis along one of the sides of the sash. The window structure is according to an embodiment characterized in that the motor control may control the advancing of the motor driven operating members to make the window openable by tilting the sash relative to the frame about a pivot axis along the top or bottom edge of the sash. The invention will now be described in detail in the following by means of an example of an embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a window structure according to the invention, Fig. 2 an operator device for the window structure according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 the window in its open position with sash displaced by parallel displacement, Fig. 4 the window in its open position with the sash turned, and Fig. 5 the window in its open position with the sash tilted. The window structure 1 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a sash 2 and a frame 3, in which the opposite side and bottom members of the sash 2 and the frame 3 are mutually connected. In the example shown, each connection comprises a motor driven operator device. Fig. 2 shows an operator device according to Fig. 1, the operator device comprising an operating member with associated, motor driven operator for advancing the operating member. The operating member may for instance be a traditional chain, like the one described in Applicant's Danish patent application PA 1999 01532, or a chain spindle like the one described in Applicant's Danish patent application PA 1999 00512, which relates to a chain especially designed and which may be coiled into a rod shape. Such chains will in most case have sufficient rigidity for carrying a window, but in the example of the embodiment shown, the operator device moreover comprises a pair of Y-scissors having a first member, which at one end is connected in a manner secured against displacement but pivotally to the sash 2, and at the other end displaceably and pivotally connected to the frame, and a second member, which at one end is connected to the frame in a manner secured against displacement but pivotally to the frame, and at the other end connected in a manner secured against displacement but pivotally to the first member. Figs 3 - 5 show three different opening posi- tion of the window, the window in Fig. 3 being opened by parallel displacement of the sash 2 relative to the frame 3, in Fig. 4 by turning of the sash 2 relative to the frame 3 about an axis along one of the side edges and in Fig. 3 by tilting of the sash 2 relative to the frame 3 about an axis along the upper side of the window. In order to ensure a correct opening in respect of the opening manner chosen, it is imperative that the movements of the operator devices at the individ- ual side edges are mutually coordinated. For this purpose, an electronic control unit may advantageously be used, said control unit calculating and regulating by means of stored or measured values the advancing speed of the individual operator devices . These values may for instance be the actual position of the individual operator devices, which may be measured by means of sensor means. In this way, the operator devices can be induced to move at a mutually coordinated speed, which may be different in the cases, where it is required, whereby the window sash can make the above-mentioned pivoting and tilting movements. The control unit may thus optionally cause a synchronization of the operating members in a fixed or variable relative synchronization ratio. The synchronization ratio of the advancing speed of the individual operating members may for instance be 1:1, corresponding to a parallel displacement of the sash, or for instance a relative synchronization of 1:0.5, so that the advancing speed of one operating member at one side is twice as high as the speed of the operating members at the two other sides, corresponding to a displacement and pivoting of the sash. Furthermore, an electronic control unit may advantageously be used for monitoring the function of the operator devices, including for instance increased current consumption in one or several motors, which may indicate that an error has occurred and/or for instance that a maintenance is required. The simplest manner of opening the window structure is the parallel displacement shown in Fig. 3, in which the operating members 5 in each of the three operator devices 4 at the bottom edge and at the two side edges, respectively, are advanced simultaneously and at the same speed by each respective motor driven operator 6, so that the sash 2 is displaced outwards relative to the frame 3 by parallel displacement . Another way of opening the window structure is the pivoting shown in Fig. 4, in which the operating member 5 in the operator device 4 at one side edge is advanced farthest, whereas the operating member 5 at the bottom edge in the example shown is advanced ap- proximately half as far as the operating member at the side edge, which induces the sash 2 to make a pivoting movement relative to the frame about the other side edge. A third way of opening is the tilting shown in Fig. 5, in which the operating member 5 at the bottom edge is advanced farthest, whereas the operating members at the two side edges in the example shown are advanced half as far as the operating member at the bottom edge . In connection with opening by means of pivoting or tilting, as shown in Figs 4 and 5, it is advantageous that also the operator device, which is posi- tioned at a side which is to be kept closed, is advanced somewhat, so that no squeezing of the weather strip and the window structure occurs at the side of the window which is not to be open. It is evident that the window structure may comprise an operator device at each side edge to make it possible, as shown on the drawing, to supplement the window structure with an operator device between opposite top members of sash 2 and frame 3 , which will provide an additional way of opening of the win- dow structure, viz. as a bottom-hinged window, in which the sash 2 is turned relative to the frame 3 about an axis along the bottom edge. Moreover, it will be evident to the one skilled in the art that the window structure may com- prise several operating members 5 for each side, which may be necessary in case of big windows, which can only be handled with difficulty in case of a single operator device 4 for each side edge. In case of several motor driven operating members 5, it will likewise be evident for the one skilled in the art that the motors have to be synchronized to counteract tensions in the sash, but as mentioned before, the synchronisation may be variable.

Claims: P A T E N T C L A I M S 1. A window structure having several ways of opening, said window structure (1) being substan- tially rectangular and comprising a sash (2) and a frame (3) , in which opposite members of the sash (2) and the frame (3) are mutually connected at at least three sides of the window, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said connection between the sash (2) and the frame (3) at each of said at least three sides comprises at least one motor driven operator device (4) comprising an operating member (5) connected with the sash (2) and the frame (3) , said operating member having an associated motor driven operator (6) for advancing the operating member (5) substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the window, each operator device (4) comprising means preventing displacement of the sash (2) in the plane of the window but allowing pivoting of the sash (2) relative to the frame (3) about two substantially orthogonal axes, means for coordinated control of the operators of the operating members being designed in such a manner that opening of the window is allowed, both by parallel displacement of the sash (2) perpendicular to the plane of the window and by pivoting of the sash (2) about any pivot axis along one of the sides of the window under mutual coordination of the respective advancing positions of the operating members. 2. A window structure (1) according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the means preventing displacement of the sash (2) in the plane of the window are constituted by a number of Y-scissors (7) comprising a first member (8) , which at one end is connected in a manner secured against displacement but pivotally to the sash (2) and at the other end connected displaceably and pivotally to frame (3) , and a second member (9) , which at one end is connected in a manner secured against displacement but pivotal to the frame (3) and at its other end is connected in a manner secured against displacement but pivotally to the first member (8) . 3. A window structure (l) according to claim 1, S c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the operating members (5) themselves also constitute the means preventing displacement of the sash (2) in the plane of the window. 4. A window structure (1) according to claim 1, 0 2 or 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the operating member (5) is a chain or a chain spindle. 5. A window structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the means for mutual coordination of the re- 5 spective advancing positions of the operating members are constituted by a control unit. 6. A window structure (1) according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the control unit optionally brings about a synchronization of the op- 0 erating members • in a fixed or variable relative synchronization ratio. 7. A window structure (1) according to claim 5 or 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the control unit is a motor control which may be actuated to con- 5 trol the motor driven operating members (5) in a mutually coordinated manner in order to make it possible to open the window in a plurality of ways. 8. A window structure (1) according to claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the motor control 0 may control the advancing of the motor driven operating members (5) to make the window openable by parallel displacement of the sash (2) away from the plane of the frame (3) . 9. A window structure (1) according to claim 7, 5 c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the motor control may control the advancing of the motor driven operating members (5) to make the window openable by pivoting the sash (2) relative to the frame (3) about a pivot axis along one of the sides of the sash (2) . 10. A window structure (1) according to claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the motor control may control the advancing of the motor driven operating members (5) to make the window openable by tilting of the sash (2) relative to the frame (3) about a tilting axis along the top or bottom edge of the sash.

Inventors: BRADE CLAUS BOERGE, BRADE, CLAUS, BOERGE
Applicants: BRADE CLAUS BOERGE, VKR HOLDING AS, BRADE, CLAUS, BOERGE, VKR HOLDING A/S
Application year: 2001
Main classification: E05D15
IPC codes: E05D15, E05F15, E06B3