Patent Description:
Roof windows to be installed in inclined roof surfaces come in a variety of types, and are either installed as stand-alone window units, in which all sides of the roof window borders on the roofing, or in configurations in which several window units are built together to combine into larger arrays providing a larger light influx into a room of a building, and in which only outer sides of the outermost window units border on the surrounding roofing.

Typical configurations of twin or quadruple roof window arrangements installed side-by-side and/or above each other, respectively, are shown and described in Applicant's published international application <CIT> and European patent No. <CIT>. The window units are typically standard roof windows in which the right side frame member of the left-hand window unit is located adjacent to the left side frame member of the right-hand window unit, and/or the bottom frame member of the upper window unit is located adjacent to the top frame member of the lower window unit. In a roof structure comprising rafters and battens, at least one rafter and a number of battens will typically need to be removed to provide a sufficiently large aperture in the roof surface and roof structure, while specially designed gap trimmers are normally mounted between the window units and fastened to the roof structure in order to ensure sufficient strength and support for the roof window arrangement.

A more elaborate roof window arrangement is shown and described in Applicant's <CIT> and European patent No. <CIT>. In the latter document, corresponding to commercial counterpart VELUX® Dormer, two rows of each three window units are connected to a respective frame structure positioned at an obtuse angle relative to each other such that the roof window arrangement protrudes from the roof surface.

The standard roof windows constituting the window units of the prior art roof window arrangements are installed with a relatively small distance between adjacent side frame members, typically about <NUM>, which leaves sufficient space for trimmers etc. Common to all of the above roof window arrangements is that the window units are protected from the weather by means of a covering assembly comprising a combination of flashing, cover and cladding elements which provide a weather-tight transition to the surrounding roofing and ensure tightness around each window unit and between adjacent window units. Even though the prior art covering assemblies function well, they are dependent on a relatively large number of tailor-made components that must be manufactured, stored, transported, and assembled at the building site.

To alleviate these challenges, Applicant's published European patent application <CIT> shows and describes a roof window arrangement of the kind mentioned in the introduction. While providing a great degree of standardisation and a desired "slim look" due to the reduced distance between neighbouring window units, installation of the roof window arrangement has proven challenging.

With this background, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a roof window arrangement by which installation is facilitated.

In a first aspect, this and further objects are achieved with a roof window arrangement of the kind mentioned in the introduction which is furthermore characterised in that the common frame further comprises at least one mullion extending between the top member and the bottom member and being substantially parallel to the two side members of the common frame,
that in the mounted condition of the roof window arrangement, each side member of the pane-carrying frame of the first window unit is configured to be brought into abutment with a respective one of: a mullion and a side member of the common frame, and that at least the pane-carrying frame of the first window unit is configured to be releasably connected to the mullions, or to the mullion and the side member of the common frame, so as to allow the first window unit to be installed independently of the installation of the common frame.

In this way, the pane-carrying frame of the fixed, i.e. non-openable, window unit may be set aside while the common frame is installed in a first installation step. Typically, the secondary window unit or units may be dismantled from the common frame in any event, and hence, the installation of the common frame takes place without the added weight. The mullion or mullions provide(s) additional stability to the common frame such that the rectangularity is maintained more easily.

In a second aspect, a method of installing a roof window arrangement is provided.

In the figures of the drawings, embodiments of a roof window arrangement according to the invention are shown.

Referring initially to <FIG>, a first embodiment of a roof window arrangement <NUM> is presented, comprising a plurality of window units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> configured side-by-side, and as seen from the interior of a room of a building with a roof surface (not shown), in which the roof window arrangement <NUM> is installed in a mounted condition of the roof window arrangement <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, three window units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are present, but other configurations involving two or more than four window units are conceivable as will be described in connection with the second embodiment below.

Each window unit <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a pane-carrying frame <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and a pane <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. A common frame <NUM> acts as a single, stationary frame of all of the plurality of window units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in the side-by-side configuration. The common frame <NUM> is configured to be built into the roof surface and connected to the underlying roof structure by means of a set of fittings represented by mounting bracket <NUM>.

A covering assembly generally designated <NUM> is shown as well. The covering assembly <NUM> provides covering for each window unit as will be described in further detail below.

<FIG> shows the common frame <NUM>, comprising a frame top member <NUM> of the common frame <NUM>, spanning all three window units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in the mounted condition, two frame side members <NUM> and <NUM>, and a frame bottom member <NUM>.

The at least one mullion <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be fastened to the common frame <NUM> by fastening means such as screws. In other reliable embodiments the common frame <NUM> and the mullions <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM> are integrally formed, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In such embodiments, the common frame and mullions are preferably made from a suitable polymer, such as polyurethan. The common frame may be manufactured by cast moulding. Alternatively, in not shown embodiments, the engagement between the mullion or mullions and the common frame could be provided by for instance form-locking engagement such that the use of separate fastening means is avoided.

The dimensions of the window units forming part of the roof window arrangement are typically chosen in accordance with specific installation conditions, including the area of the room of the building, the available roof surface etc. In the below configuration with three window units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the overall outer measures wf, hf of the common frame <NUM> generally present a substantially reduced width wf compared to the total width of three standard roof windows having the same size panes. The height hf generally corresponds to that of a standard roof window.

In the first embodiment, the common frame <NUM> further comprises two mullions <NUM>, <NUM> extending between the top member <NUM> and the bottom member <NUM> and being substantially parallel to the two side members <NUM>, <NUM> of the common frame <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in these figures, the three window units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> have the following configuration:
Referring to <FIG>, the first window unit <NUM> has a pane-carrying frame <NUM> with a top member <NUM>, two side members <NUM> and <NUM>, and a bottom member <NUM>. As will be described in further detail below, the pane-carrying frame <NUM> constitutes a fixed, i.e. not openable structure, and is configured to be mounted independently of the remaining components of the roof window arrangement <NUM>. In the following, reference will be made to the first window unit <NUM> as "fixed". This is to be construed as synonymous to "non-openable"; as will be apparent, at least parts of the first window unit <NUM> are configured to be releasably connected to other parts of the roof window arrangement <NUM>. The parts of the first window unit <NUM> that are to be connected to the common frame <NUM> independently include at least the pane-carrying frame <NUM>. The pane <NUM> is by some distance the heaviest element of the first window unit <NUM>.

The second window unit <NUM> has a pane-carrying frame in the form of an openable sash <NUM> with a top member <NUM>, two side members <NUM>, <NUM>, and a bottom member <NUM>, and the third window unit <NUM> has a pane-carrying frame in the form of an openable sash <NUM>.

The general configuration of the third window unit <NUM> substantially corresponds to the openable sash <NUM>, and elements of the third window unit <NUM> will only be described where suitable. In the embodiment shown, the second window unit <NUM> is positioned between the first window unit <NUM> and the third window unit <NUM>.

The openable second and third window units <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to be top-hung during normal use, representing a first operational condition, in which each openable sash <NUM>, <NUM> is able to rotate about a primary hinge axis α1 (shown in <FIG>), but which is able to assume a second operational condition in which the openable sash <NUM>, <NUM> pivots for cleaning purposes, about a secondary hinge axis α2. Details of the principles allowing such operations and coupling to a lifting device are found in Applicant's <CIT> and international published application <CIT>.

Opening and closing of the openable sash <NUM>, <NUM> during normal use is carried out by means of a handle <NUM>, <NUM> connected to the respective bottom member <NUM>, <NUM>. Activating the second operational condition is carried out by a ventilation flap <NUM>, <NUM> at the respective top member <NUM>, <NUM> (shown in <FIG>).

Also visible in <FIG> are reinforcement members <NUM> at the frame top member <NUM>. Such a reinforcement member is known as such from Applicant's <CIT>.

Referring now to <FIG>, views corresponding to <FIG> are shown, of a second embodiment, in which two window units <NUM> and <NUM> are present in common frame <NUM>. Reference numerals having the same or analogous function are denoted by the same reference numerals in the first and second embodiments, and only differences will be discussed in detail.

The common frame <NUM> here comprises a single mullion <NUM>.

In the second embodiment, the first window unit <NUM> is fixed and the second window unit <NUM> openable. The openable sash <NUM> of the second window unit <NUM> opens about a hinge axis α (shown in <FIG>) defined by a set of hinges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The hinges may be of any suitable kind, here shown as pivot hinges as for instance disclosed in Applicant's <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>, or as a so-called pantograph hinge as described in Applicant's -pending international application <CIT>. The set of hinges of each of the first window unit <NUM> and the third window unit <NUM> comprises two sash hinge parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> connected to the respective openable sash <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the first window unit <NUM> is shown, where each side member <NUM>, <NUM> of the pane-carrying frame <NUM> of the first window unit <NUM> is brought into abutment with the mullion <NUM>, and the side member <NUM> of the common frame. The pane-carrying frame <NUM> of the first window unit <NUM> is releasably connected to the mullion <NUM> and the side member <NUM> of the common frame <NUM>, so as to allow the first window unit <NUM> to be installed independently of the installation of the common frame <NUM>.

Also, that ensures that the first window unit <NUM> is configured to be installed independently of the installation of the neighbouring secondary window unit <NUM>.

The pane-carrying frame <NUM> of the first window unit <NUM> may alternatively and/or additionally be releasably connected to the top member <NUM> of the common frame <NUM> and/or to the bottom member <NUM> of the common frame <NUM>. Thus, in some very reliable embodiments, the pane-carrying frame <NUM> of the first window unit <NUM> is releasably connected to the top member <NUM> of the common frame <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. By being only releasably connected to the top member <NUM> of the common frame <NUM>, the window is securely fastened while reducing the number of fastening means and reducing installation time.

The inner sides of the side member <NUM> and the mullion <NUM> facing the pane-carrying frame <NUM> of the first window unit <NUM> are configured to allow the pane-carrying frame <NUM> to be installed from an interior side of the roof window arrangement <NUM>, when the common frame <NUM> is in its mounted condition.

As shown in <FIG>, the side member <NUM> of the pane-carrying frame <NUM> of the first window unit <NUM> is fixed to mullion <NUM> by releasable fastening means <NUM>, comprising a set of screws <NUM> and cover plugs <NUM>. The pane-carrying frame <NUM> of the first window unit <NUM> is detachable from the common frame <NUM> from the interior side of the roof window arrangement <NUM> in the absence of the fastening means <NUM>. The pane-carrying frame <NUM> may be fixed to the top member <NUM> of the common frame <NUM> and/or the bottom member <NUM> of the common frame <NUM>, by releasable fastening means <NUM> comprising a set of screws <NUM> and cover plugs <NUM>.

The covering assembly <NUM> of the roof window arrangement <NUM> in the first embodiment shown in <FIG> will now be described in some detail. Reference is also briefly made to <FIG> and <FIG>. The description will be made in conjunction with the description of the covering assembly <NUM> of the second embodiment, shown in <FIG>.

The set of coverings of the covering assembly <NUM> associated with the first window unit <NUM> are fastened to components of the common frame <NUM> and to the neighbouring secondary window unit <NUM>, <NUM>.

The neighbouring secondary window units <NUM>, <NUM> are top-hung about a primary hinge axis α1 in a first operational condition. The secondary window units comprise a handle <NUM>, <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) comprising an espagnolette mechanism (shown in <FIG>) cooperating with one striking plate 142a, 142b, 143a, 143b. As shown in <FIG>, the secondary units <NUM>, <NUM> further comprise a ventilation flap <NUM>, <NUM> to provide ventilation and to allow activation of a second operational condition in which the sash <NUM>, <NUM> of the secondary window unit <NUM>, <NUM> is pivotable around a secondary hinge axis α2.

In <FIG>, the covering assembly <NUM> comprises a top casing <NUM>, <NUM>, two side sash coverings 5221a, 5222a, 5231a, 5232a, two side frame coverings 5221b, 5222b, 5231b, 5232b and a bottom sash covering <NUM>, <NUM> for each secondary window unit <NUM>, <NUM>. The covering assembly further comprises a top casing <NUM> and a bottom covering <NUM> for the first window unit <NUM>. The top casing <NUM> is connected to the frame top member <NUM> of the common frame <NUM>. The bottom covering <NUM> is connected to the frame bottom member <NUM> of the common frame <NUM>.

Each of the neighbouring secondary window units <NUM> is pivot-hung about a hinge axis α by means of a hinge assembly <NUM> (shown in <FIG>).

Referring to <FIG>, the covering assembly <NUM> further comprises a common top casing <NUM> connected to the frame top member <NUM> of the common frame <NUM>, two lower side sash coverings <NUM>, <NUM>, an upper side frame covering <NUM> and a mullion side frame covering <NUM>. The covering assembly <NUM> further comprises a bottom sash covering <NUM> for each secondary window unit <NUM>, two side coverings 512a, 512b and a bottom covering <NUM> for the first window unit <NUM>. The side coverings 512a, 512b are connected to a frame side member <NUM> (not shown) of the common frame <NUM>. The bottom covering <NUM> is connected to the frame bottom member <NUM> (not shown) of the common frame <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the frame side member <NUM> of the common frame <NUM> comprises a frame insert element <NUM>. The side covering 512a is connected to the frame insert element <NUM>.

Each pane <NUM>, <NUM> is associated to a set of sash profiles <NUM>, <NUM> functioning as glazing beads at border portions of the pane <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The glazing bead <NUM> of the pane-carrying frame <NUM> of the first window unit <NUM> cooperates with an adapter profile <NUM> connected to an adjacent mullion <NUM>. The adapter profile <NUM> cooperates in turn with a side sash covering <NUM>, 5222a of the neighbouring secondary window unit <NUM>.

A lifting device <NUM> better shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is accommodated by the mullion <NUM> or a side frame member of the common frame <NUM>.

The adapter profile <NUM> is connected to the mullion <NUM> by means of a support element <NUM> better shown in <FIG>. The support element <NUM> comprises a carrier part <NUM> and a bush part <NUM>. The carrier part <NUM> comprises a base portion 191a, an upstanding portion 191b, a depending portion 191c and a top portion 191d with an opening. The bush part <NUM> comprises a wall portion 192a, side portions 192b, front portions 192c, protrusions 192d and a snap hook 192e such that the bush part <NUM> is held to the carrier part <NUM>.

A further aspect is achieved with a roof window arrangement of the kind mentioned in the introduction which is furthermore characterised in that the common frame <NUM> further comprises at least one mullion <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM> extending between the top member <NUM> and the bottom member <NUM> and being substantially parallel to the two side members <NUM>, <NUM> of the common frame <NUM>,.

In this further aspect, inner sides of the top member <NUM> and/or the bottom member <NUM> facing the pane-carrying frame <NUM> of the first window unit <NUM> may be configured to allow said pane-carrying frame <NUM> to be installed from an interior side of the roof window arrangement <NUM>, the common frame <NUM> being in its mounted condition.

The top member <NUM> and/or the bottom member <NUM> of the first window <NUM> may be fixed to the top member <NUM> and/ or bottom member <NUM> of the common frame, respectively, by releasable fastening means <NUM>, preferably comprising a set of screws <NUM> and cover plugs <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A roof window arrangement (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of window units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in a side-by-side configuration in a mounted condition of the roof window arrangement (<NUM>), and a covering assembly (<NUM>) including a set of coverings, each window unit comprising at least one pane-carrying frame (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a pane (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), in which at least one window unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the roof window arrangement comprises a pane-carrying frame in the form of an openable sash (<NUM>, <NUM>) which opens about a hinge axis (α) defined by a set of hinges, and in which a common frame (<NUM>) is provided to act as a single, stationary frame of all of the plurality of window units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in side-by-side configuration, said common frame (<NUM>) being configured to be built into a roof surface and comprising a top member (<NUM>), two side members (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a bottom member (<NUM>), and said plurality of window units comprising a first window unit (<NUM>) with a non-openable pane-carrying frame (<NUM>) with a top member (<NUM>), two side members (<NUM>, <NUM>), and a bottom member (<NUM>), and at least one neighbouring secondary window unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) with a pane-carrying frame in the form of an openable sash (<NUM>, <NUM>) with a top member (<NUM>), two side members (<NUM>, <NUM>), and a bottom member (<NUM>),
characterised in that
the common frame (<NUM>) further comprises at least one mullion (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>) extending between the top member (<NUM>) and the bottom member (<NUM>) and being substantially parallel to the two side members (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the common frame (<NUM>),
that in the mounted condition of the roof window arrangement (<NUM>), each side member (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the pane-carrying frame (<NUM>) of the first window unit (<NUM>) is configured to be brought into abutment with a respective one of:
a mullion (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>), and
a side member (<NUM>) of the common frame,
and that at least the pane-carrying frame (<NUM>) of the first window unit (<NUM>) is configured to be releasably connected to the mullions (<NUM>, <NUM>), or to the mullion (<NUM>) and the side member (<NUM>) of the common frame (<NUM>), so as to allow the first window unit (<NUM>) to be installed independently of the installation of the common frame (<NUM>).