Patent Publication Number: US-6986225-B2

Title: Part of facade, partition wall or equal construction which can be used on both sides, and mountings for this facade

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/762,393, now abandoned, filed on Mar. 20, 2001 which is a 35 U.S.C. 371 National stage of PCT/NO99/00260 dated Aug. 19, 1999, the entirety of each of the related applications being incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to parts of facades, partitions or the like which can be used on both sides including those having properties on each rendering it desirable to be able to turn the part in its support and secure it from undesired rotation. The present invention also relates to hardware for such swiveling or pivoting such parts including mountings, optionally fit with friction elements, and also fittings which facilitate the swiveling or pivoting of the parts. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A great number or more or less complex devices are known in the art for at least partly turning windows so as to make the outer surface accessible for maintenance from the inside of buildings. The aim has been to turn the window as close to 180° as possible to allow easy access for maintenance. However, in the cases where the pivoting has taken place through virtually 180°, the general plane through the window has been displaced so as to lie outside the general facade plane, whilst windows using the other conventional pivot means can only be turned approximately 180°. 
     Today&#39;s building technology uses, not least when it comes to cladding glass, highly specialized windows of double or multilayer type and having a sophisticated system of coatings sometimes with highly selective reflection and transmission properties. The object of these energy-efficient windows is to maximize or optimize both the transmission and reflection of heat and light. These are contrary purposes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     in one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention enables a supported part to rotation through 180° about opposing pivots, placed either vertically or horizontally along an axis which passes through the center of the part. A typical supported part is a frame such as that for a window, door or partition. Connectors attached to opposing sides or faces of such a frame permit the frame to be releasably connected to a structure or casing in which it is mounted. Corresponding connectors are provided on either face of the frame and thus facilitate use of either face of the frame for purposes including maintenance to thus garner full advantage of a frame having different characteristics on each face. 
     The invention is described herein in the context of a window supported in a frame and mounted within a casing, although one skilled in the art would appreciate that the invention is readily applicable to other apparatus such as doors, facades, partitions and the like. 
     Windows may be manufactured having different transmission and absorption properties on opposing faces for us in different climatic conditions and thus employing the present invention, the window can be easily pivoted to take advantage of those characteristics without having to remove the window from the casing. 
     In a broad aspect of the invention, apparatus is supported in a frame and horizontally swiveled or vertically pivoted within a casing for use on either face and comprises: a pivot located between the casing and the frame at opposing horizontal or vertical positions along an axis which passes through the center of the frame for rotating the frame thereabout from 0-180 degrees; deformable sealing elements positioned about a periphery of the apparatus attached to one of either the casing or the frame for sealing between the casing and the frame; and connectors located on opposing faces of the frame to permit the frame to be connected to the casing on one face of the frame or alternately to the opposing face of the frame. The connectors further enable an opening and closing device to be alternately attached to either face of the frame and thus permit the window to be opened and closed and to be actuated to rotate fully about the pivots and to be again locked into position having either face of the window exposed to the exterior of the structure. 
     Preferably, the deformable sealing elements are U-shaped strips which are attached to either the casing or to the frame. The U-shaped strips are sized slightly larger than the gap between the casing and the frame, causing the sealing elements to deform and create an airtight seal therebetween. More preferably, a U-shaped strip is mounted on either side of the pivot so that when the window is rotated about the pivot, a sealing element will be positioned between the weather exposed face of the window and the pivot. 
     Preferably, the pivot is housed within a concealed hinge which is mounted between the casing and the frame. Depending upon the embodiment of the hinge, the bulkier portions are best recessed in the casing between the deformable sealing elements. 
     More preferably, the concealed hinge further houses a friction element which acts to increase the friction, acting upon the pivot to restrain the window from free rotation about the pivot. This is of particular concern if the window is bumped or is subject to gusts of wind or pressure changes within the structure and the like. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial cutaway view of an apparatus according to the present invention wherein the apparatus is a window mounted in a casing, the window shown swiveled 90 degrees within the casing; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the window according to  FIG. 1  shown in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the window according to  FIG. 2  shown in an closed position and illustrating one embodiment of an opening and closing device; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a U-shaped strip illustrating a nailing strip used for attaching the U-shaped strip to either the casing or the frame; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional views according to  FIG. 1  illustrating U-shaped strips attached to the casing; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional views according to  FIG. 1  illustrating U-shaped strips attached to the window frame and illustrating one embodiment of an opening and closing device; 
         FIGS. 8   a-c  illustrate one embodiment of a concealed hinge, more particularly 
         FIG. 8   a  is a side view illustrating opposing portions of the concealed hinge prior to engagement; 
         FIG. 8   b  is a side view illustrating opposing portions of the concealed hinge in an engaged position; and 
         FIG. 8   c  is a plan view of a first mounting plate of one of the opposing portions of the concealed hinge; 
         FIGS. 9   a  to  9   f  illustrate a second embodiment of a concealed hinge further comprising friction elements; more particularly, 
         FIG. 9   a  is a side view illustrating friction elements and a disc spring in a housing positioned between the bolt plate and the first mounting plate; 
         FIG. 9   b  is a plan view of the friction element housing; 
         FIG. 9   c  is an end view according to  FIG. 9   b;    
         FIG. 9   d  is a bottom view according to  FIG. 9   b;    
         FIG. 9   e  is a side view according to  FIG. 9   b;    
         FIG. 9   f  is a plan view of a first embodiment of a friction disc; and 
         FIG. 9   g  is a plan view of a second embodiment of a friction disc; 
         FIGS. 10   a  to  10   c  illustrate an alternate embodiment of a pivot bolt and attached friction elements, more particularly; 
         FIG. 10   a  is a side sectional view of a pivot bolt with attached friction elements, an adjustment nut and a locking nut; 
         FIG. 10   b  is a side sectional view illustrating the pivot bolt according to  FIG. 10   a ; 
         FIG. 10   c  is a side sectional view of the friction elements, adjustment nut and locking nut according to  FIG. 10   a ; and 
         FIG. 10   d  is a bottom view according to  FIG. 10   b ; 
         FIGS. 11   a  to  11   c  illustrate another alternate embodiment of a concealed hinge having a pivot bolt and friction elements, more particularly; 
         FIG. 11   a  is a side sectional view illustrating a pivot bolt and friction element having a lever arm for adjusting the friction element; 
         FIG. 11   b  is a side view according to  FIG. 11   a ; and 
         FIG. 11   c  is a plan view according to  FIG. 11   a;    
         FIGS. 12   a  to  12   c  illustrate yet another alternate embodiment of a concealed hinge having a pivot bolt and friction elements, more particularly; 
         FIG. 12   a  is a sectional side view illustrating the pivot bolt and friction elements according to  FIG. 10   a  incorporated into a concealed hinge; 
         FIG. 12   b  is a side view according to  FIG. 12   a ; and 
         FIG. 12   c  is a plan view according to  FIG. 12   a;    
         FIGS. 13   a  to  13   g  illustrate one possible embodiment of a closing device, more particularly; 
         FIG. 13   a  is a side view of a bracket and actuation arm of one embodiment of an opening and closing device; 
         FIG. 13   b  is a plan view of the actuation arm illustrating a sliding track formed thereon; 
         FIG. 13   c  is a side view of a block and guide pin attached to a casing and supporting the actuation arm according to  FIG. 13   a  for connection to a connector on the window frame; 
         FIG. 13   d  is a front view of one embodiment of the connector located on the frame; 
         FIG. 13   e  is a side view illustrating one embodiment of a guide pin spring loaded in the block; 
         FIG. 13   f  is a plan view according to  FIG. 13   e ; and 
         FIG. 13   g  is an alternate embodiment of a guide pin threaded for engagement in an L-shaped block. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Having reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , apparatus  10  of the present invention is shown, It will be appreciated that the apparatus  10  is described herein in the context of a window  11  having a glazed portion  12  fit within a frame  13  and mounted in a casing  14 . The invention, as it is described, can be equally applied to other apparatus  10  such as doors, facades, partitions or walls that can be rotated within a casing  14  or other suitable opening in a structure, for use on either face. The term frame  13  herein is to be interpreted as any structure which is rotatably supported in the casing  14 . 
     The frame  13  is mounted on vertical or horizontal opposing concealed hinges  15 . Each hinge  15  comprises a pivot  16  located between the frame  13  and the casing  14  and are located and extend along an axis which passes through the center of the frame  13  as to permit the window  11  to be pivoted or swiveled through 180° while being retained within the casing  14  and without interference therewith. Thus one can take advantage of both faces of the glazed portion  12  of the window  11 , particularly if opposing faces  12   a ,  12   b  have different transmission or absorption properties and to permit cleaning and maintaining of both faces of the window  11  with convenient access from one face only. 
     An opening and closing device  20  is connected between the frame  13  and the casing  14 . The device  20  is employed to both lock the frame  13  into a closed position and to actuate the window  11  to pivot about the hinge  15 . The window  11  can be pivoted to an open position at any angle between 0° and 180°. Further, the opening and closing device  20  can be disconnected from a connector  21   a  on one face of the frame  13  and reconnected to a connector  21   b  on an opposing face of the frame  13  to permit locking the window  11  into a closed position following 180° rotation. Due to the connectors  21   a ,  21   b , alternate openers can be applied and need not have a very extensive opening stroke. Conventional scissor-type openers or other openers could be employed. 
     The frame  13  and casing  14  are about their periphery and interface, with deformable sealing elements  30  positioned between the frame  13  and the casing  14  and affixed to one of either the frame  13  or the casing  14  to create an air tight seal when the window  11  is in the closed position. Preferably, the deformable sealing elements  30  are U-shaped strips  30  positioned on either face of the concealed hinge  15  so that when the window  11  is rotated, one of the U-shaped strips  30  positioned between a weather-exposed face of the window  11  and the hinges  15 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , the U-shaped strips  30  are preferably fastened to either the casing  14  or to the frame  13  in pre-formed grooves  31  by means of stripping  32  which is tacked or stapled in place. 
     With reference to FIG.  4  and in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame  13  is divided into two parts  13   a  and  13   b , preferably placed against one another with tongues and grooves  50  to ensure lateral stability and fastened to one another by means of screws (not shown). 
     The apparatus  10 , is intended to be turned about an axis perpendicular to the figure&#39;s paper plane and which lies in a plane in the centre of the casing/frame  14 ,  13  cross-section. Rotation through 180° of the frame  13  whilst it is in the casing  14  is allowed due to the clearance or space  51  between the frame  13  and casing  14 , the space  51  being typically and preferably between 3.2 mm and 20 mm. 
     As mentioned above, the air tightness takes place preferably by providing the U-shaped sections  30 , secured to the frame  13  or to the casing  14  and of a dimension such that the U-shaped sections  30  are in constant contact with the adjacent frame  13  or casing  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  6  and  7 , the U-shaped sections  30  are sufficiently deformable so as to allow sizing slightly larger than the space  51  to ensure adequate sealing therebetween. 
     Optionally, and typically applied where the frame  13  supports a window  11 , decorative fittings  53  are attached to the weather exposed face of the window  11  to improve the appearance of the window by covering up the space  51  between the frame  13  and the casing  14 . The fittings  53  are removable, at least in part, to permit the frame  13  to be rotated 180°. 
     In principle it is irrelevant which portions of the concealed hinge  15  are fastened to the frame  13  and which are fastened to the casing  14 , although owing to the thickness of material used to manufacture some embodiments of the hinge  15  it is generally preferable that the larger and more bulky portions which support the pivot  16 , are attached or embedded in the casing  14 , as will be described in greater detail below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the casing  14  is grooved or recessed to accommodate the bulkier portions of the hinge  15 . 
     Having reference to  FIGS. 8   a - 8   c , one embodiment of a concealed hinge  15  is illustrated. A bolt plate  60  supporting a pivot bolt  61  is connected to a first mounting plate  62  via adjusting screws  63 . The first mounting plate  62  has a hole  64  through which the pivot bolt  61  extends. The first mounting plate  62  is fastened to the frame  13  or preferably to the casing  14  by means such as screws (not shown), through holes  65 . The hinge  15  is positioned so that the axis of rotation runs through the longitudinal axis of the pivot bolt  61 . 
     A second mounting plate  66  is secured to the opposing of either the frame  13  or the casing  14  and preferably to the frame  13 , The second mounting plate has a socket  67  for receiving the pivot bolt  61  extending through the first mounting plate  62 . Holes  68  are provided in the second mounting plate  66  for securing it to the frame  13  using screws (not shown). 
     Once the pivot bolt plate and first mounting plate are mounted into the groove in the casing  14 , the adjustment screws  63  are adjusted to extend or retract the pivot bolt  61  along the axis. For securing the frame  13  for pivoting within the casing  14 , the pivot bolt is adjusted to extend sufficiently to engage the socket  67  in the second mounting plate on the frame  13 . In order to effect this adjustment, the window is positioned into the casing, rotated roughly 90° to the casing. The adjustment screws  63  are positioned sufficiently far apart so that they can be accessed with the window in the 90° position. Actuation of the adjustment screws  63  causes the bolt plate  60  to move towards the first mounting plate  62 , extending the attached pivot bolt  61  further through the hole  64 . and into engagement with the socket  67  in the second mounting plate  66 . Alternately, the pivot bolt  61  can be retracted from the socket  67  to release the frame  13  from the casing  14 , should it be necessary to completely remove the frame  13 , such as for repair or replacement. 
     The axis of rotation runs along the longitudinal axis of the pivot bolt  61 , in addition to running in a plane approximately in the centre of the depth of the casing  14 , also, in projection, divides the casing opening into two identical, upper and lower or left and right geometric parts, as the case may be, so as to allow an approximately symmetrical rotation. 
     More preferably, as shown in  FIGS. 9   a-f ,  10   a-d ,  11   a-c  and  12   a-c  the frame  13  is restricted from free rotation, when in the open position, by a friction element  40  acting in each concealed hinge  15  to increase the friction in the hinge  15 . Adjustment of the friction in the hinge  15  acts to counteract rotation caused by undesirable impacts, gusts of wind and the like. Additional friction added to the concealed hinge  15  and pivot bolt  61  acts to resist pivoting of the window about the pivot bolt  61 . 
     A first embodiment for adjustment of the friction is simply to actuate the adjustment screws  63  and extend the pivot bolt  61  fully into the socket  67 , imposing sufficient friction therebetween so as to cause the frame  13  to maintain an open position. The pivot bolt  61  may be stepped so as to form a shoulder which cannot pass through the socket  67 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9   a - 9   f , a second embodiment of friction adjustment is shown, using a friction adjusting means  40 . The pivot bolt plate  60  is secured to the first mounting plate  62  via adjusting screws  63 . The pivot bolt  61  runs through the hole  64  in the first mounting plate  62  and extends into the socket  67  thereabove in the second mounting plate  66 . A housing  41  is arranged between the pivot bolt  61  and the pivot bolt plate  60 . The housing  41  is formed having a longitudinal groove  42  through which the bolt plate  60  passes. A plurality of friction discs  42 , connected to a disc spring  43 , are supported in the housing  41  below the pivot bolt  61 . When the pivot bolt plate  60  is drawn towards the first mounting plate  62  by means of the screws  63 , the friction discs  42  are pressed towards one another by the disc spring  43 , creating sufficient friction to resist rotation of the window and the pivot bolt  61  within the housing  41 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9   f , one embodiment of a friction disc  42 , has protrusions  44  extending from the disc  42  that are held in the housing  41  and which are prevented from rotating with the pivot bolt  61  by means of corresponding recesses  45  in the housing  41 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9   g , a second embodiment of a friction disc  42  is held in place by means of a rectangular hole  46  in the friction disc  42  which engages a rectangular protrusion in the bottom of the housing  41 . 
     As previously stated, using the embodiments of the friction elements shown in  FIGS. 8   a-c  and  9   a-g , the spacing between the adjustment screws  63  is slightly greater than the width of the frame  13  so that the adjustment screws  63  can be manipulated when the window  11  is positioned at 90° to the casing  14 . It may be desirable, however, to have a friction element  40  that can be adjusted more simply. 
     Having reference to  FIGS. 10   a-d , a third embodiment of a friction element  40  is shown which embodies a simple adjustment mechanism for adjusting the friction between the pivot bolt  61  and the hinge  15 . The pivot bolt  61  is formed as a double screw  70  with an upper threaded portion  71  having a relatively large diameter and a lower threaded portion  72  having a relatively small diameter and a square-cylindrical portion  73  arranged therebetween. A head  74  of the pivot bolt  61  engages the socket  67  in the second mounting plate  66 . An adjusting nut  75  is screwed onto the pivot bolt  61 , and more specifically onto the threaded portion  72 . A disc spring  76  is arranged under the adjusting nut  75  and a plurality of friction discs  42  as described in the second embodiment. The friction element  40  is locked together as a single unit by a locking nut  77  which is screwed onto the lower threaded portion  72 . When the pivot bolt  61  with friction element  40  is connected to the first mounting plate  62 , a portion of the adjusting nut  75  will be visible between the casing  14  and the frame  13  and can be grasped with a suitable tool for adjusting the tension. 
     Having reference to  FIGS. 11   a-c , a fourth embodiment of a friction element  40  is shown. A lever arm  80 , through which the top of the pivot bolt  61  extends is connected to the friction element  40  such that when an adjustment is made to an adjustment screw  81  at a first end  82 , the lever arm  80  is caused to pivot about a second end  83  which applies or releases friction through compression or release of the disc spring  43  on the friction elements  42  about the pivot bolt  61 . 
     Having reference to  FIGS. 12   a-c , a fifth embodiment of a friction element  40  is shown, comprising the elements of the third embodiment, however arranged slightly differently. The arm  80  of the fourth embodiment is replaced by a retaining nut  77  attached to one end of the pivot bolt  61  on one side of the friction element  40 . An adjustment nut  75  is attached to a second end  72  of the pivot bolt  61  on the other side of the friction element  40 . Adjustment of nut  75  causes an alternation in the friction applied between the pivot bolt  61  and the hinge  15 . 
     The embodiments, which are shown in  FIGS. 11   a - 11   c  and  FIGS. 12   a - 12   c , are distinguished by a simple assembly, the hinge  15  incorporating these embodiments is less bulky than those previously disclosed herein and can easily be assembled in milled-out grooves (not shown) between the U-shaped strips  30 . 
     The opening and closing device  20  is connected between the frame  13  and the casing  14  to both lock the window  11  into a closed position and to actuate the window  11  to pivot about the hinge  15 . 
     Having reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  7  and  13   a-h , one embodiment of an opening and closing device  20  is shown although others are known. The opening and closing device  20  comprises a block  90  which supports a guide pin  91  connected to an actuation arm  92  having a sliding track  93  with indexing stops for positioning. The block  90  is screwed into the casing  14  adjacent the connector  21   a , 21   b  (collectively  21 ) on the frame  13 . A first end  94  of the actuation arm  92  is pivotally connected a bracket  95 , which is removably connected to the connector  21   a , 21   b . The guide pin  91  protrudes into the sliding track  93  in the actuation arm  92  to permit opening and locking the window  11  to a number or preset positions. 
     Shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 7   g-h , a slide rod  96  is mounted to the connector  21   a , 21   b  on the frame  13  and is secured thereon by a locking plate  97  which is readily removed to permit the window to be pivoted 180°. The bracket  95  has a tubular channel  98  through which the slide rod  96  is installed, prior to securing the slide rod  96  into the connector  21 . 
     The sliding track  93  is formed having a plurality of slightly enlarged indexing areas  99  and a larger release opening  100 , through which the guide pin  91  is inserted. 
     Preferably, as shown in  FIGS. 13   d-e , the guide pin  91  is slightly stepped in profile, having a collar area  101 , which has the smallest diameter corresponding to the non-enlarged areas  102  of the sliding track  93  in the actuation arm  92 . A lower and larger area  103  of the guide pin  91  corresponds to the diameter in the slightly enlarged track areas  99  which, when engaged in the slightly enlarged indexing areas  99 , act to lock the window  11  in either a closed position or a chosen and variable open airing position, without any possibility of accessibility from the outside of the window  11 . 
     The arm  92  is temporarily released from connection to the block  90  by removing the guide pin  91  through the release opening  100 , which is larger than the largest diameter of the guide pin  91 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13   d-f , further embodiments of the pin  91  are contemplated, allowing the pin  91  to be readily released from the sliding track  93 . In one such embodiment, best seen in  FIGS. 13   d  and  f , the guide pin  91  is spring-loaded in the block  90 . In a second embodiment best seen in  FIG. 7   e , the pin  91  is unscrewed from the block  90  in the form of an angle element  104 . 
     By means of the inventive idea, it is for the first time possible to be able to utilize all the technical possibilities represented by different types of glazing in terms of light and heat reflection and transmission. This is achieved through enabling the turning of the window  11 , or door or combinations thereof, parts of facades, partitions and the like, exactly 180° so that the whole unit remains in place and in sealing engagement with the surrounding casing  14 , and by means of the outlined types of hardware which permit this,. 
     Because cladding panels, for example, are capable of being turned in a simple manner, these can be used both decoratively and commercially, with the possibility of, for instance, color variations, patterned facades and not least advertising, since all these features can be put in place with relative ease and further by turning the panel, can also be easily removed.