Patent Abstract:
A double-glazing insulation panel having a pair of panes which define an intermediate space in which is mounted a drum for use in vertically adjusting a screen and which the drive mechanism for the drum is removably mounted through an opening in the frame of the panel and supported relative thereto by a stopper assembly which is used to seal the opening through the frame.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to double-glazing insulating panels. 
     HISTORY OF THE RELATED ART 
     For dressing facades, particularly in office buildings, modern architecture calls upon transparent panels appropriately fixed on a virtually invisible frame, such panels comprising two panes of glass, double-glazing, mounted in a tight manner on a peripheral chassis. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide such panels with a motorized screen device directly incorporated inside the tight intermediate space formed between the double-glazing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To that end, the invention consists essentially in providing the upper part of the the intermediate space with a cradle element forming an envelope for a rotating drum to which is secured the upper horizontal edge of a supple screen engaged through a longitudinal slot in the cradle element. The rotation of this drum in the two directions is accomplished by a drive mechanism introduced in the drum by axial slide from one of the ends thereof. The corresponding end of the drive mechanism is fixed in dismountable manner to a removable stopper tightly engaged in an opening made laterally in the chassis or frame of the panel. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be more readily understood on reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical section of the upper part of a panel according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a horizontal section of a detail, on a larger scale, along the plane indicated at II--II in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates in perspective the arrangement of the cradle element and its fixation inside the panel. 
     FIG. 4 shows in perspective and exploded, the elements which serve to obturate the opening made laterally in the frame for assembling the drive mechanism of the screen device. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, the insulating panel shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises in manner known per se, two transparent sheets or panes 1 and 2 of which the edges are secured within a square or rectangular frame 3, with the interposition of O-rings 4. It will be observed that the thickness of this panel is slightly greater than that of the conventional panels of the same type, so that the intermediate space formed between the panes 1 and 2 is capable of receiving the motorized screen mechanism which will be described hereinbelow. Of course, the atmosphere of this intermediate space, treated to avoid any condensation, is sealed from the outside atmosphere. 
     When the panel is constructed, it is provided with a cradle element 5 which, as shown in FIG. 3, is of substantially circular cross-section. The cradle element 5 includes a longitudinal slot 5a which extends over its entire length and which faces obliquely downwardly. Opposite this slot 5, the cradle element 5 is provided with two vertical extensions 5b of which the upper edge includes a flange 5c sectioned to from a longitudinal groove. This groove is adapted to cooperate, by axially sliding the cradle element 5, with two corresponding longitudinal guide flanges 3a provided at the inner face of a section of the frame consequently supporting of the cradle element in the frame. 
     In the cradle element 5 is mounted a winding drum 6, on the periphery of which is fixed the upper edge of a blind or like screen shown schematically at 7 in FIG. 1, which screen is engaged through the lower slot 5a so as to allow vertical displacement thereof inside the intermediate space, by rotation of the drum 6. The drum is centred in rotation in the cradle element 5; to that end, one of its ends is closed by an endpiece 8 mounted on a pin 8a on the projecting end of which is idly mounted a side element 9 of circular section, secured at its periphery to the inner wall of the cradle element 5. 
     Drum 6 is driven in rotation by a mechanism housed inside the drum and which comprises, in conventional manner, an electric motor 10 associated with a speed reducer 11. The driven shaft 11a of the reducer 11 is sectioned so as to be fitted, by axial displacement of assembly 10-11, inside the hub of a drive member 12 which is secured to drum 6. 
     Opposite reducer 11, the motor 10 is supported in removable manner inside the drum 6 by an endpiece 13a of square section, adapted to fit axially in the central part of the casing of the motor. This endpiece 13a is secured to a support 13 arranged in the manner of a removable stopper adapted to be engaged by force inside an annular seal 14 which is mounted inside an opening 3b provided laterally in the frame 3. 
     FIGS. 2 and 4 clearly show the arrangement of the stopper 13 and seal 14. The axial opening of this seal 14 presents a truncated section to which corresponds on the stopper 13 a conjugate part, followed by a cylindrical axial extension adapted to engage in the opening of a guide ring 15 fitted by force inside the corresponding opening of the cradle element 5, which ring thus ensures the centering of the end of the drum 6. 
     For the passage of the cable 16 which provides electrical power to the motor 10, there is arranged in the stopper 13 a longitudinal bore 13b which must, of course, be rendered tight after assembly of motor-reducer assembly 10-11 in the drum 6. To that end, a bushing 17 is employed, made of a deformable material in order to serve as stuffing box. This bushing 17 is carried by a pusher 18 of half-moon section, introduced in a recess 13c in the stopper 13 and retained in place by screws. 
     To avoid any untimely axial displacement of stopper 13 once positioned with the pusher 18, the invention provides a key 19 having an elongated opening 19a cut therein, intended to overlap the cable 16. This key 19 is introduced, by vertically sliding from an inlet 3d (FIG. 4) made in the frame 3, in a recess defined by outer longitudinal ribs 3e of the frame. 
     It will be observed that the stopper 13 is advantageously provided, on its outer face, with projections 13d identical to ribs 3e of the outer face of the frame 3. Consequently, a continuous profile is obtained which allows the conventional seal associated with each panel to be positioned. 
     The advantages offered by the structure which has just been described will be readily understood. The insulating panel obtained is equipped with a motorized screen device which is incorporated in the panel and which can be manoeuvred by a reversible switch of conventional type, it being, however, noted that, in the case in question, adjustment of the ends-of-stroke of the screen must be able to be effected by means of the reversible switch mentioned. In the event of failure, the drive mechanism 10-11 may be replaced by extracting the key 19 and the stopper 13 with its pusher 18 and the stuffing box 17; after a new assembly has been positioned, the internal atmosphere is treated before closing of the opening of the frame by the stopper 13 and its related components.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4