Patent Publication Number: US-2010115877-A1

Title: Sash for windows and doors with attachable and detachable rails

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to a window and door frame for doors or windows built in a wall of a building, and more particularly to a window and door frame including a frame member formed along a length direction thereof with an insertion groove, wherein a rail structure can be attached to and detached from the insertion groove. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Various windows and doors are typically built in apartment houses, detached houses, office buildings, schools, public institution buildings, etc. for purposes of lighting, ventilation, entrance/exit and space partitioning. 
     Such windows and doors are diversely sized from a small-sized window and door to be used as a window to a large-sized window and door to be built throughout an entire wall. For example, there is a window and door in which one or two doors are installed by using a window and door frame having a one-row rail portion. Also, there is a sliding window and door wherein three or four doors are installed by using a window and door frame having four-row rail portions. 
     Window and door frames, on which a door is placed and configured to slide, are made from diverse materials. Window and door frames made from wood were used in the past. However, recently, extruded window and door frames of metallic material or synthetic resin material have been primarily used due to durability. 
     Such window and door frames include rail portions for smooth movement of the door, as is generally known. The rail portions of the recently widely used window and door frames of metallic material or synthetic resin material are integrally formed in the window and door frames when extruding the window and door frames. That is, extrusion molds for forming the window and door frames are configured such that the rail portions are formed together with the window and door frames. Thus, the window and door frames of metallic material or synthetic resin material are formed with a one-row or double-row rail portion projecting therefrom. Such a rail portion permits smooth sliding of the door. 
     Such a prior art window and door frame and a door are shown in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , inside a rectangular frame-shaped window and door frame  11  with a plurality of rail portions  11   a ,  11   a ′ protruding thereon, doors  40 ,  40 ′ are located as joined to the rail portions  11   a ,  11   a ′. Rollers  41 , which roll along the rail portions  11   a ,  11   a ′ are built in a lower side of a frame of the door  40 ,  40 ′. Since the rollers  31  roll along the rail portions  11   a ,  11   a ′ when the doors  40 ,  40 ′ are opened or closed, the door  40 ,  40 ′ can be opened and closed with ease. Further, the window and door frame  11  and lateral sides of a bottom edge of the frame of the doors  40 ,  40 ′ are formed with perpendicular blocking portions. This is so that indoor air and outdoor air isolated by the window and door are restricted from communicating with each other, while enhancing thermal insulation and soundproofing. 
     When constructing such a window and door, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the rectangular-shaped window and door frame  11  is first installed. A top edge of the door  40  is then fitted into a top side of the window and door frame  11  and a bottom edge of the door  40  is placed on a bottom side of the window and door frame, thereby completing the window and door. Due to such an installation method, a rail groove formed at the top edge of the door is deeper than a rail groove formed at the bottom edge of the door. 
     The above-described window and door is constructed in a manner such that the door is lifted up and the top edge of the door is first inserted into the top side of the window and door frame and the bottom edge of the door is put on the bottom side of the window and door frame. As the door lifted upwardly is put on the bottom side of the window and door frame, a substantial space is formed between the top edge of the door and the top side of the window and door frame. This causes a problem in that external air is permitted to freely flow through said substantial space. Accordingly, since the external air freely flows through a gap between the top edge of the door and the top side of the window and door frame, soundproof and thermal insulation effects are greatly lowered. 
     In order to solve the aforementioned problem, recent windows and doors are configured such that a fine bristle brush is inserted in a lateral edge of the door or into a lateral side of the window and door frame along a length direction thereof. The fine bristle brush may enhance soundproof and thermal insulation effects. However, such enhancement cannot reach a sufficiently satisfactory degree. Further, material cost and installation cost are doubled. In addition, smooth sliding of the door during opening and closing of the door is not accomplished due to friction between the brush and the door or between the brush and the window and door frame. 
     Further, a top edge of a door is first fitted into a top side of a window and door frame and a bottom edge of a door is then put on a bottom side of a window and door frame when conventional windows and doors are installed. Accordingly, when a large-sized window and door is constructed, since at least two or more workers must lift a heavier door up and install it, installation work becomes very difficult. 
     Moreover, in the windows and doors installed in the above-described manner, inner sections of the window and door frame are gradually contaminated by various foreign substances as time elapses. In the above-described window and door frame with the rail portions and the blocking portions, cleaning becomes uneasy due to a very narrow gap between the rail portions. Thus, since the window and door frame remains contaminated by foreign substances such as dust, soil and the like, the window and door frame does not have a good appearance and is very unclean in terms of sanitation. However, since there are no suitable cleaning tools and cleaning methods, such window and door frames are often left as they are. 
     Also, a conventional window and door is composed of a window and door frame and a door and a rail for guiding sliding of a door are protrudingly formed on the window and door frame in advance as fixed thereto. Thus, when the door is fitted, substantial gaps are inevitably formed between the window and door frame and the top and bottom edges of the door. Such gaps weaken the window and door in the event of strong wind, thunder, earthquake, etc. There is a problem in that when vibration or pressure caused by strong wind, thunder, earthquake, etc. is applied to the window and door, the door can be separated from the window and door frame and then fall to the ground. As such, safety accidents can occur. 
     In particular, the above-described window and door causes a feeling of uneasiness since the window or the door is shaken or rattled by wind. Further, outdoor air, which flows into the interior of a room through said gaps without any filtration, may result in a respiratory disease since it may contain foreign substances such as minute dusts. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention is directed to solving the foregoing problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a window and door frame, which is configured such that a door can be conveniently installed and a door frame and the window and door frame are closely fitted to each other. Further, the present invention seeks to provide a window and door frame, which can be conveniently cleaned. 
     Technical Solution 
     A window and door frame of the present invention, comprises: an upper frame member having an opposed face opposed to a top edge portion of a door frame and being extruded along a length direction thereof; and a lower frame member having an opposed face opposed to a bottom edge portion of the door frame and being extruded along a length direction thereof. The opposed faces of the upper and lower frame members are formed with rail insertion grooves. The window and door frame further comprises a rail structure having an insertion portion corresponding to the rail insertion groove. The insertion portion of the rail structure is configured to be inserted into and engaged to the rail insertion groove, wherein the rail structure can be combined with and separated from the frame member. A distance between the opposed face of the upper frame member and the opposed face of the lower frame member is equal to or greater than a height between the top edge portion and the bottom edge portion of the door frame. This is so that the door frame is installed between the opposed face of the upper frame member and the opposed face of the lower frame member in a manner such that the door frame is pushed into therebetween in an upright state relative to the ground (not in a slanted stated relative to the ground). The door frame and a roller located at the bottom edge portion thereof are placed on an upper surface of the rail structure disposed on the lower frame member so as to be movable therealong. The rail structure comprises a plurality of rail structures shorter than an overall length of the frame member. 
     The insertion portion of the rail structure may be formed to have a narrower width. Both lateral sides of the door frame may be formed with guide portions bent toward the insertion portion. The guide portions prevent the door frame from being removed away while enhancing soundproof and thermal insulation effects. 
     The insertion portion of the rail structure may be formed along a length direction thereof with an elastic groove portion. Both lateral sides of the insertion portion may be elastically deformable toward the elastic groove portion by the elastic groove portion. Thus, the insertion portion may be inserted into and engaged to the rail insertion groove. 
     A top surface of the rail structure may be formed with a rail projection. Further, the roller of the door frame may be shaped so as to correspond to the rail projection and be slidable thereon. 
     A top surface of the rail structure may be formed with a concave groove. The roller of the door frame may be shaped so as to correspond to the concave groove and be slidable thereon. 
     The rail insertion grooves of the frame member may be arranged in two rows. In such a case, the window and door frame may be configured to be used as a window and door frame for a single window by combining the rail structures to the two-row arranged rail insertion grooves. 
     The rail insertion grooves of the frame member may be arranged in four rows. In such a case, the window and door frame may be configured to be used as a window and door frame for a dual window by joining the rail structures to the four-row arranged rail insertion grooves. 
     Both lateral surfaces of the rail insertion groove may be formed along a length direction thereof with engagement grooves. Further, both lateral surfaces of the insertion portion of the rail structure may be formed along a length direction thereof with engagement projections. A firm engagement of the rail structure is accomplished by a mutual engagement force between the engagement projections of the rail structure and the engagement grooves of the rail insertion groove. 
     ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS 
     The window and door frame of the present invention is configured such that rail portions are attachable thereto and detachable therefrom. Thus, a heavier door can be installed more conveniently. Further, when a rail portion is damaged due to an unexpected impact or accident, only such a rail portion can be replaced. Also, unnecessary gaps do not exist and a gap between a door and the window and door frame is very small, thereby providing superior soundproof and thermal insulation effects. Moreover, any other resistance element is not introduced to movement of the door, thereby allowing the door to be opened and closed more smoothly and softly. Additionally, the door can be conveniently separated by removing only the rail portion and the window and door frame that is exposed flat by doing so can also be conveniently cleaned. Thus, it is efficient in terms of maintaining cleanness in appearance and sanitation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a prior art window and door. 
         FIG. 2  shows an installation process of a door in the prior art window and door. 
         FIG. 3  is a partially cutaway perspective view of a window and door frame according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a partially enlarged perspective view of a lower frame member and a rail structure. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing a combination of the window and door frame and the rail structure. 
         FIG. 6  is a partially enlarged perspective view of an upper frame member and the rail structure. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view showing a combination of the window and door frame of the present invention and the door. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view showing that the rail structure is combined with one side of the frame member. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view showing that the door is installed by means of the rail structures located in one side. 
         FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view showing that other rail structures are combined. 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view showing that the window and door frame and the door are installed, and further showing the rail structure provided with a rail projection. 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view showing that the window and door frame and the door are installed, and further showing the rail structure provided with a concave groove. 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR THE INVENTION 
     A window and door frame of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 3  is a partially cutaway perspective view of a window and door frame according to the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a partially enlarged perspective view of a lower frame member and a rail structure.  FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing a combination of the window and door frame and the rail structure.  FIG. 6  is a partially enlarged perspective view of an upper frame member and the rail structure.  FIG. 7  is a sectional view showing a combination of the window and door frame and the door. 
     The window and door frame of the present invention, comprises: an upper frame member  120  extruded along a length direction thereof and having an opposed face  120   a  opposed to a top edge portion of a door frame  140 ; and a lower frame member  120  extruded along a length direction thereof and having an opposed face  110   a  opposed to a bottom edge portion of a door frame  140 . The opposed faces  120   a ,  110   a  of the upper and lower frame members  120 ,  110  are formed along a length direction thereof with rail insertion grooves  111 ,  121 , respectively. The window and door frame further comprises a plurality of rail structures  130 , each of which has an insertion portion  132  corresponding to the rail insertion groove  111 ,  121 . The rail structures  130  are combined with and separated from the frame members  110 ,  120  in a manner such that the insertion portion  132  of the rail structure  130  is inserted into and engaged to the rail insertion grooves  111 ,  121  of the frame members  110 ,  120 . A distance between the opposed face  120   a  of the upper frame member  120  and the opposed face  110   a  of the lower frame member  110  is equal to or greater than a height between the top edge portion and the bottom edge portion of the door frame  140 . This is so that the door frame  140  is installed between the opposed face  120   a  of the upper frame member  120  and the opposed face  110   a  of the lower frame member  110  in a manner such that the door frame  140  is pushed into therebetween in an upright state relative to the ground, not in a slanted stated relative to the ground. The door frame  140  and a roller  141  located at the bottom edge portion thereof are placed on an upper surface of the rail structure  130  disposed on the lower frame member  110  and slide therealong. The rail structure  130  comprises a plurality of rail structures  130  shorter than an overall length of the frame members  110 ,  120 . 
     Both inner lateral surfaces of the rail insertion groove  111 ,  121  are formed along a length direction thereof with engagement grooves  112 ,  122 , while both lateral surfaces of the insertion portion  132  of the rail structure  130  are formed along a length direction thereof with engagement projections  133 . A firm engagement of the rail structure  130  is accomplished by a mutual engagement force between the engagement projections  133  of the rail structure  130  and the engagement grooves  112 ,  122  of the rail insertion grooves  111 ,  121 . 
     The insertion portion  132  of the rail structure  130  is formed to have a width narrower than that of a rail portion  131  of the rail structure  130 . Both lateral sides of the bottom edge of the door frame  140  are formed with guide portions  142 , which are bent toward the insertion portion  132 . The guide portions  142  of the door frame  140  prevent the door frame  140  from being removed away, while enhancing soundproof and thermal insulation effects. 
     The insertion portion  132  of the rail structure  130  is formed along a length direction thereof with an elastic groove portion  134 . Since both lateral sides of the insertion portion  132  are elastically deformable toward the elastic groove portion  134  by the elastic groove portion  134 , the insertion portion  132  is more elastically inserted into and engaged to the rail insertion groove  111 ,  121 . 
     Further, a top surface of the rail structure  130  is formed with a rail projection  135  protruding upwardly and a roller  141  shaped to correspond thereto is slidable thereon. Alternatively, a top surface of the rail structure  130  is formed with a concave groove  136  and a roller  141  shaped to correspond thereto is slidable thereon. Thus, linear movability can be enhanced during opening and closing of the door. 
     Also, the window and door frame of the present invention can be used as a window and door frame for a single window by arranging the rail insertion grooves  111 ,  121  of the frame members  110 ,  120  in two rows and combining the corresponding rail structures  130  to the two-row arranged rail insertion grooves  111 ,  121 , respectively. Further, the window and door frame of the present invention can be used as a window and door frame for a dual window by arranging the rail insertion grooves  111 ,  121  of the frame members  110 ,  120  in four rows and combining the corresponding rail structures  130  to the four-row arranged rail insertion grooves  111 ,  121 , respectively. 
     The window and door frame with attachable and detachable rails of the present invention, which is configured as described above, will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 7 . 
     As shown, the window and door frame of the present invention comprises the extruded frame members  110 ,  120  and the separately formed rail structures  130 . A bottom surface (opposed face)  120   a  of the upper frame member  120  and a top surface (opposed face)  110   a  of the lower frame member  110  are formed with two-row or four-row arranged rail insertion grooves  111 ,  121 , respectively, according to a single window or a dual window. Both lateral sides of each rail insertion groove  111 ,  121  are formed in a length direction thereof with the engagement grooves  112 ,  122 . 
     The rail structure  130  is formed with the insertion portion  132  that has a width narrower than that of the rail portion  131  and extends from the rail portion  131 . Both outer lateral surfaces of the insertion portion  132  are formed along a length direction thereof with the engagement projections  133 . The insertion portion  132  is adapted to be closely inserted into the rail insertion groove  111 ,  121  of the frame member  110 ,  120 . The engagement projections  133  are brought into engagement with the engagement grooves  112 ,  122  of the rail insertion groove  111 ,  121 . 
     As described above, the rail structure is constructed to be attachable to and detachable from the frame member  110 ,  120 . A door is installed to the window and door frame when the rail structure  130  is combined with the rail insertion groove  111 ,  121  of the frame member  110 ,  120 . 
     The top and bottom edge portions of the door frame  140  (i.e., a frame of the door) are formed along a length direction thereof with the rail grooves  143 , into which the rail structure  130  is inserted, respectively. The lower side of the door frame  140  is provided with the roller  141  adapted to roll along the rail structure  130 . Further, the bottom edge of the door frame  140  is formed with the guide portions  142  bent inwardly. The guide portions  142  are allowed to be located in concave portions, which are formed at lateral sides of the insertion portion  132  between the rail portion  131  and the top surface (opposed face)  110   a  of the lower frame member due to the narrower insertion portion  132 . Thus, the guide portions  142  of the door frame  140 , the shape of the rail structure  130  and their combination provide superior soundproof and thermal insulation effects. In addition, since the guide portions  142  and the rail structure  130  make a bent passage that blocks free flow of indoor air and outdoor air, there is no need to additionally attach a fine bristle brush according to the prior art. Further, such guide portions may be provided at the top edge of the door frame  140 . 
     A prior art window and door is comprised of two parts, i.e., a window and door frame and a door. However, a window and door according to the present invention is comprised of three parts, i.e., a window and door frame, a rail structure and a door. When those three parts are assembled, the window and door frame, the rail structure and the door are closely engaged to one another, thus forming one body. Since the window and door frame, the rail structure and the door frame make one member with the above-described assembly and installation structure, gaps hardly exist between the window and door frame and the top and bottom edges of the door frame. Thus, in the case of impact or pressure caused by strong wind, thunder, earthquake, etc, there is no danger in which a door or window becomes separated from the window and door frame and then drops to the ground. 
     In particular, the insertion portion  132  of the rail structure  130  is formed with the elastic groove portion  134  for providing elasticity to the insertion portion  132 . The elastic groove portion  134  is successively formed along a length direction of the rail structure  130 . Thus, the insertion portion  132  is allowed to be elastically deformable inwardly of the elastic groove portion  134 . Accordingly, the insertion portion  132  can be elastically inserted into and thus engaged to the rail insertion groove  111 ,  121 . 
     An installation process of the door frame  140  using the above-described frame members  110  and  120  and rail structure  130  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 8 to 10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the window and door frame is first installed at a place where a window and door must be constructed. Thereafter, the rail structure is combined with the frame member  110 ,  120 . In such a case, rail structures  130 ′, which are shorter than half of an overall length of the frame member  110 ,  120 , are inserted into and engaged to the rail insertion groove  111 ,  121  as biased to one side. 
     In such a state, the door frame  140  is pushed into the window and door frame through portions of the frame members  110  and  120 , at which the rail structures are not inserted. Subsequently, the door frame  140  is slid toward the rail structures  130 ′ located at said one side. Then, as shown in  FIG. 9 , as the top and bottom edges of the door frame  140  are coupled to the rail structures  130 ′ of the frame members  110  and  120 , respectively, the door frame  140  is installed to the frame members  110  and  120  with supporting forces of the rail structures  130 ′. 
     Thereafter, as shown in  FIG. 10 , when the door frame  140  of one side is installed, rail structures  130 ″, which have a length corresponding to an exposed length of the rail insertion groove  111 ,  121 , are combined with the rail insertion groove  111 ,  121 , thereby forming a rail portion corresponding to the overall length of the frame member  110 ,  120 . That is, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the rail structures  130 ″, which are longer than the half of the overall length of the frame member  110 ,  120 , are combined with the rail insertion grooves  111  and  121 . 
     When the rail structures  130 ′ shorter than the half length of the frame member  110 ,  120  are first combined, the portions of the rail insertion grooves  111  and  121 , at which the rail structures  130 ′ are not inserted, are longer than the half length of the frame members  110  and  120 . Thus, it is possible to insert the door frame  140  corresponding to the half length of the frame members and to couple it to the previously-combined rail structures  130 ′. Also, the rail structures  130 ″ having a length corresponding to the other portions, at which the rail structures  130 ″ are not combined, are fitted into the rail insertion grooves  111  and  121 . In such a case, although an overall length of the rail structure  130 ″ is longer than that of the door frame  140 , it can be combined with the rail insertion groove  111 ,  121  by pushing one end of the rail structure  130 ″ into the rail insertion groove  111 ,  121 , a portion of which is exposed at the bottom edge of the door frame  140 . 
     If the door frame  140  is installed as described above, then gaps between the door frame  140  and the frame members  110  and  120  and the rail structures  130 ′ and  130 ″are exceedingly minimized at an upper side as well as at a lower side. Thus, superior soundproof and thermal insulation effects are obtained. Further, in case rail portions are damaged, only a damaged rail structure  130 ′,  130 ″ can be removed for replacement. 
     The prior art window and door frame has a difficulty in cleaning due to very narrow gap between its rail portions. However, in the window and door frame of the present invention, the rail structures  130 ′,  130 ″ can be removed from and then recombined with the window and door frame. That is, when the frame members  110  and  120  need to be cleaned up, removing the rail structures  130 ′,  130 ″ allows the bottom surface of the frame member  110  or the top surface of the frame member  120  to be exposed flat. Thus, more convenient cleaning can be done and sanitation and external cleanness can be maintained. 
     Further, the window and door frame of the present invention can provide still better linear movability of the door by forming the top surface of the rail structure with the projection or the groove and by using the roller  141 ′,  141 ″ corresponding thereto. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the top surface of the rail portion  131  of the rail structure  130  is formed in a length direction thereof with the rail projection  135  projecting therefrom and the roller  141 ′ placed in the door frame  140  is groove-shaped so as to correspond thereto, thereby providing more stable linear movability during opening and closing of the door. Further, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the top surface of the rail portion  131  of the rail structure  130  is formed in the length direction thereof with the concave groove  136  and the roller  141 ″, which is shaped so as to correspond thereto, is used, thereby providing more stable linear movability during opening and closing of the door. 
     Further, with regard to forming the rail insertion grooves  111  and  121  on the frame members  110  and  120 , when two-row arranged rail insertion grooves  111 ,  121  are formed, the window and door frame of the present invention may be used for a single window. Also, when four-row arranged rail insertion grooves  111 ,  121  are formed, the window and door frame of the present invention may be used for a dual window. As such, the window and door frame of the present invention may be embodied in various manners according to the number of the rail insertion grooves  111 ,  121 . 
     Also, in the window and door frame of the present invention, an auxiliary rail for mounting an anti-insect net thereto may be combined with the upper edge of the frame member  110 ,  120 . Various ornamental panels may also be combined thereto. 
     The above-described embodiments and the attached drawings should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present invention provides a window and door frame configured such that rail portions can be attached thereto and detached therefrom.