Abstract:
Covering element ( 7 ) to cover the edge of a glass pane ( 5 ), characterized in that the covering element ( 7 ) includes a leaf profile ( 6 ) for a leaf ( 3,4 ) of a window ( 1 ) or door and includes at least one adjustable setting piece ( 10 ), whereby the setting piece ( 10 ) is or can be fastened to an edge of the glass pane ( 5 ), whereby the leaf profile ( 6 ) is or can be connected to the setting piece ( 10 ), and whereby the setting piece ( 10 ) is arranged to be able to adjust the distance between the leaf profile ( 6 ) and the edge of the glass pane ( 5 ) when using the covering element ( 7 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a leaf profile for a window, a window and a method for installing a window. 
     More specifically, the invention concerns windows whereby a leaf of a window has a leaf profile along all or part of its edges that is fastened to the edge of a glass pane, for example by gluing. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     This can for example, but not exclusively, be ‘minimum profile windows’ in which the leaves are manufactured from very thin profiles that are essentially hidden from view because they are behind an outer frame placed in the wall. These leaf profiles are normally glued to the edge of the glass pane that also forms part of the leaf. 
     However, a problem arises here relating to the accommodation of tolerances. An outer frame of a window is made to a certain size, and then installed in a wall. The glass pane or the glass panes of a window is or are made to a certain size beforehand. 
     In practice both the frame and the glass panes may deviate from a specified target size by a few millimeters or more due to their production. There can also be differences relating to the formation of a perfect rectangle. 
     With non-glued leaf profiles, the differences are traditionally accommodated by pinning the glass in the leaves. However, this is not possible when the leaf profile and the glass are glued, and thus when the leaf profile is supported by the glass pane instead of the other way around as with conventional leaves. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution to a least one of the aforementioned and other disadvantages by providing a covering element to cover the edge of a glass pane, whereby the covering element comprises a leaf profile of a leaf of a window or door and comprises at least one adjustable setting piece, whereby the setting piece is or can be fastened to an edge of the glass pane, whereby the leaf profile is or can be connected to the setting piece, and whereby the setting piece is arranged to be able to adjust the distance between the leaf profile and the edge of the glass pane when using the covering element. 
     As specified above, it concerns a leaf profile that is supported by a glass pane, that thus does not form part of a frame that supports and surrounds the glass pane. 
     In other words, the leaf profile is freely adjustable with respect to the glass pane without restrictions that are caused by it being fastened to other leaf profiles that are fastened to the glass pane. 
     In this way the setting piece can be fastened to the glass pane while the positioning of the leaf profile with respect to the setting piece can be adjusted for the purpose of compensating for the manufacturing tolerances of the glass pane and a frame of the window. 
     To this end preferably a few setting pieces are provided along each edge of the glass pane along which a leaf profile has to be affixed, so that an accurate adjustment can be obtained. 
     Preferably the setting piece comprises a first part that is arranged to be mounted on the glass pane and a second part that is arranged to keep the leaf profile at a set minimum distance from the first part, whereby preferably the second part is adjustably fastened by means of a screw thread in the first part. 
     This is a practical embodiment of the setting piece. 
     In a preferred embodiment the leaf profile can be fastened to the first part of the setting piece and not, or only indirectly, to the second part of the setting piece. 
     In this way a good direct connection between the glass pane and the leaf profile is created that cannot vary over time due to variations of the setting of the setting piece. 
     In a further preferred embodiment the covering element also comprises a connecting profile that is intended to be fastened to an edge of a glass pane, whereby the connecting profile and the setting piece are arranged such that the setting piece is or can be fastened to an edge of the glass pane by means of the connecting profile. 
     In a further preferred embodiment the leaf profile is provided with an opening along which the second part of the setting piece can be driven. 
     As a result the setting piece can be driven more easily. 
     In a further preferred embodiment the first part of the setting piece is provided with two folded-over protruding ridges extending on either side that each define an L-shaped groove, and is provided with a first, second and third screw hole that is perpendicular to the direction in which the grooves extend, whereby the second part of the setting piece is a bolt or screw that fits in the second screw hole that is provided with a driving recess on the side turned away from the grooves. 
     This is a practical embodiment to manufacture such a setting piece. 
     The driving recess is a recess that is intended to enable the screw or bolt to be turned by means of a complementary tool, for example a straight slot, cross slot, socket or star. 
     The setting piece can be made from various different materials, whereby metal and high quality plastic are the most obvious. 
     The invention also relates to a setting piece for use in a covering element as described above and a window that comprises a glass pane and a covering element as described above, whereby the setting piece is fastened to the edge of the glass pane by means of the connecting profile if present. 
     Furthermore the invention concerns a method for installing a window that comprises an outer frame and at least one glass pane, whereby a leaf profile is affixed at an edge of the glass pane, whereby an adjustable setting piece is fastened directly or indirectly to the glass pane, whereby the leaf profile is fastened to the glass pane by means of the setting piece, whereby the distance between the edge of the glass pane and the leaf profile is adjusted by means of the setting piece. 
     The invention also concerns the use of an adjustable setting piece that is fastened to a glass pane in order to mount a leaf profile at a specific distance from an edge of the glass pane. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, a preferred embodiment of a window with a leaf profile according to the invention is described hereinafter by way of an example, without any limiting nature, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  schematically shows a window according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-section according to line II-II through the window of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross-section according to line III-III through the window of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  show a component of a window according to  FIG. 1  in detail in two different views; and 
         FIG. 6  shows a part of the cross-section of  FIG. 3  in an alternative usage state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The window  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3  is a sliding window and essentially consists of a frame  2  and two leaves  3  and  4  affixed in the frame  2 , more specifically a slidable leaf that can be slid in the direction of the arrow P and a non-slidable leaf  4 . 
     The leaves  3 , 4  essentially consist of a glass pane  5  that is provided on one or more of its edges with a leaf profile  6 . The leaf profile  6  forms part of a covering element  7  that further comprises a connecting profile  8  and a covering profile  9  that are practically parallel to one another. The covering element also comprises a number of setting pieces  10 , for example three of four. 
     The covering profile  9  is snapped onto the leaf profile  6  by means of a snap connection. On the side of the connecting profile  8  turned away from the glass pane  5  there are two L-shaped teeth  11  in the longitudinal direction of the connecting profile  8 . 
     The connecting profile  8  fits over an edge of the glass pane  5  and is glued to it. The connecting profile  8  and the leaf profile  6  are fastened together by means of the setting pieces  10 , that are affixed spread over the length of the edge concerned of the glass pane  5 . 
     A separate setting piece  10  is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . This consists of a first part  12  and a second part  13 . 
     In this example, but not necessarily, the first part  12  is an aluminium body that is provided with two parallel grooves  14 , with a form that is complementary to the teeth  11 , and which is formed by folded-over ridges  15  on the body. The first part  12  is provided with three holes with a screw thread that go completely through the first part  12 , i.e. a first screw hole  16 , a second screw hole  17  and a third screw hole  18 . 
     The second part  13  of the setting piece  10  is formed by a bolt with a socket  19 . 
     The setting pieces  10  are mounted on the connecting profile  8  by placing the teeth  11  in the grooves  14 , and by affixing a pressure screw (not shown) in the first screw hole  16 . This pressure screw is turned such that it pushes against the connecting profile  8 , and thereby secures the teeth  11  in the grooves  14 . 
     The leaf profile  8  is mounted on the setting pieces  11  by means of a bolt  20  that fits in the third screw hole  18  that is turned until the leaf profile  6  rests against the second part  13  of the setting pieces  10 . 
     In order to gain access to the socket  19  of the second part  13 , the leaf profile  8  is provided with holes at the places where the second part  13  of the setting pieces  10  are located. 
     The use of the covering element according to the invention during the assembly of the window  1  is as follows. 
     At the places where leaf profiles  6  are desired, connecting profiles  8  are glued over the edge of the glass panes  5 . The setting pieces  10  and the leaf profiles  6  are then affixed. 
     The covering elements  7  can also be affixed in a pre-assembled state over the edge of the glass panes  5 . 
     The frame  2  and the wings  3 , 4  are fitted in the traditional way. The covering elements are then adjusted by loosening the bolts  20 , via the holes provided in the leaf profile  6 , and turning the second parts  13  of the setting pieces  10  further in or out of the first parts  12  of the setting pieces  10 , and when the adjustment is as desired, the bolts  20  are tightened again. Then the covering profile  9  is snapped in its place in order to conceal the holes for accessing the sockets  19  and the bolts  20  from view. 
       FIG. 6  shows a situation in which the leaf profile  6  is fastened as closely as possible to the glass pane  5 , which means that the second part  13  of the setting piece  10  is screwed into the first part  12  to a maximum. 
     The opposite situation is shown in  FIG. 3 . All intermediate situations, thus intermediate distances between the leaf profile  6  and the glass pane  5  are also possible. 
     As part of the function of the covering element  7  consists of compensating for manufacturing differences, not all setting pieces  10  have the same position at an edge of a leaf  3 ,  4 . 
     During adjustment the following considerations are made: in the closed position of the window  2  this window  2  must be properly closable. The visible parts of the leaf profiles  6  must also run parallel to the sides of the frame  2  and one another. 
     Preferably the leaf profiles  6  also have to be precisely behind one another at the places where two leaves  3 , 4  connect together, in a view perpendicular to the glass panes  5 , so that the complete leaf profiles  6  appear narrower. 
     Although in the above example the setting pieces are fastened to the glass pane via a connecting profile, it is also possible within the scope of the invention to fasten the setting pieces to a glass pane in another way, such as for example by directly gluing the setting pieces to the glass pane, or by a clamping mechanism that forms part of or is connected to the setting pieces. 
     Although a setting piece with a first part and one, centrally placed, second part is described above, the setting piece can also be constructed with a second part that is not on the central axis, thus not in line with the first and third screw hole. 
     The setting piece can also be constructed with two or more second parts that do not necessarily have to be on the central axis. 
     This has the advantage that the leaf profile can be somewhat rotated locally or entirely around an axis, defined by the edge of the glass pane, before being secured. In this way any mutual differences in the size of the glass plates, which together form a multilayered glass pane, are compensated for. 
     The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiment described as an example and shown in the drawings, but a covering element, setting piece and window according to the invention can be realised in all kinds of variants, without departing from the scope of the invention.