Patent Description:
The market requires increasingly high performance in terms of mechanical strength, burglar resistance, noise reduction and heat insulation. Relevant doors and windows of the prior art are shown in <CIT> and <CIT>.

Recently, moreover, there is an emerging trend of doors and windows with minimalist frames which leave as much space as possible to the glass panes to increase the brightness of the environment.

In addition to being more aesthetically pleasing, a door or window with a high ratio between the surface of the glass planes and the surface of the leaf can contribute to a reduction in the electrical consumption required for lighting the environment.

A multitude of solutions are known which, however, manage to meet only some of the performance specifications requested by the market.

The task of the present invention is to make a thermal break door or window which lacks the aforementioned technical drawbacks attributable to the prior art.

Within the scope of this task it is an object of the invention to make a thermal break door or window with improved performance in terms of mechanical strength, burglar resistance, noise reduction and heat insulation.

Still an object of the invention to make a thermal break door or window with leaf frame and stop frame of the minimalist leaves which do not affect the features of mechanical strength, burglar resistance, noise reduction and heat insulation.

This task as well as these and other objects are achieved by a thermal break door or window comprising at least one leaf and a stop frame for the leaf, in which said leaf comprises a leaf frame and at least one glass pane, in which said stop frame comprises an inner metal stop profile, an outer metal stop profile, at least one profile made of heat insulating material interconnecting between said inner stop profile and said outer stop profile, and said leaf frame comprises an inner metal leaf profile, an outer metal leaf profile, and a leaf profile made of heat insulating material interconnecting between said inner leaf profile and said outer leaf profile, characterised in that it comprises a first sealing gasket between said outer stop profile and said outer leaf profile, a second sealing gasket, and a third sealing gasket between said inner stop profile and said inner leaf profile, said second sealing gasket being configured and disposed so as to delimit, between said stop frame and said leaf frame, a first air chamber in cooperation with said first sealing gasket and a second air chamber in cooperation with said third sealing gasket.

According to the invention, in said closing position second sealing gasket is configured and disposed so as to engage with a tooth of said outer leaf profile.

According to the invention, said second sealing gasket is supported by a block which is made of a more rigid material compared thereto and heat insulating.

According to the invention, said block has a coupling seat for said second sealing gasket and teeth for coupling to said outer stop profile.

In an embodiment of the invention, said block has a coupling seat for a pad cooperating with a counter-pad so as to delimit a labyrinth air channel in said second air chamber.

In an embodiment of the invention, said pad and said counter-pad are positioned in a facing zone between the interconnecting profiles.

In an embodiment of the invention, said inner leaf profile has a longitudinal cavity for housing an arm of a fastening bracket, said cavity being delimited by a wall of said inner leaf profile having an outer recess for coupling to a glazing bead profile.

In an embodiment of the invention, at said recess said cavity is in a rearward position relative to one side of said interconnecting leaf profile facing said glass pane.

In an embodiment of the invention, said inner and outer stop profiles have a respective longitudinal cavity for housing an arm of a fastening bracket, where said cavity of said inner and outer stop profiles is in a rearward position relative to one side of said interconnecting profile between said inner and outer stop profiles facing said block.

In an embodiment of the invention, said inner and outer stop profiles have a longitudinal opening for access to said longitudinal cavity thereof.

Further features and advantages of the invention will more fully emerge from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a thermal break door or window according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the appended drawings, in which:.

Equivalent parts in the description will be indicated with the same numerical reference.

Hereinafter, the term "inner" means "facing the interior of the environment closed by the door or window", and the term "outer" means "facing the exterior of the environment closed by the door or window".

With particular reference to the figures described above, the thermal break door or window comprises at least one leaf <NUM> which can oscillate between an opening position and a closing position of the door or window, and a stop frame <NUM> for the leaf <NUM>.

In <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the door or window illustrated is with a single leaf <NUM>, while in <FIG> and <FIG> the door or window illustrated is with a double leaf <NUM>, 1A.

In both cases, the stop frame <NUM> comprises fixed elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

The leaf <NUM> comprises a leaf frame <NUM>, at least one glass pane <NUM> and an inner handle <NUM>.

The leaf 1A comprises a leaf frame <NUM>' and at least one glass pane <NUM>.

The structure of the side joint of the door or window with a single leaf <NUM> and the side joint of the door or window with a double leaf <NUM>, 1A is substantially identical; the structure of the central joint of the double-leaf door or window is instead different in that the leaf frame <NUM>' is adapted to act as a stop for the leaf frame <NUM>.

The stop frame <NUM> comprises an inner metal stop profile <NUM>, an outer metal stop profile <NUM>, and at least one profile made of heat insulating material <NUM> interconnecting between the inner stop profile <NUM> and the outer stop profile <NUM>.

In practice, both the single leaf <NUM> of the single-leaf door or window and each leaf <NUM>, 1A of the double-leaf door or window can be rotated to bring itself into the opening and closing position of the door or window.

Each interconnecting profile <NUM> has at the opposite ends dovetailed feet <NUM> provided with seats for an adhesive and retained by harpoons <NUM> specially connected by means of mechanical deformation by rolling to the inner stop profile <NUM> or to the outer stop profile <NUM>.

The leaf frame <NUM> comprises an inner metal leaf profile <NUM> disposed facing the inner stop profile <NUM> when the leaf <NUM> is in the closing position, an outer metal leaf profile <NUM> disposed facing the outer stop profile <NUM> when the leaf <NUM> is in the closing position, and a leaf profile in heat insulating material <NUM> interconnecting between the inner leaf profile <NUM> and the outer leaf profile <NUM>.

Each interconnecting leaf profile <NUM> has at the opposite ends of dovetailed feet <NUM> provided with seats for an adhesive and retained by harpoons <NUM> specially connected by means of mechanical deformation by rolling to the inner leaf profile <NUM> or to the outer leaf profile <NUM>.

The interconnecting leaf profile <NUM> is disposed facing the interconnecting leaf profile <NUM> when the leaf <NUM> is in the closing position.

The interconnecting leaf profile <NUM> and the interconnecting profile <NUM> can be made of polymer, for example polyamide.

The door or window comprises a first sealing gasket <NUM> between the outer stop profile <NUM> and the outer leaf profile <NUM>, a second sealing gasket <NUM>, and a third sealing gasket <NUM> between the inner stop profile <NUM> and the inner leaf profile <NUM>.

The second sealing gasket <NUM> separates a first air chamber <NUM> and a second air chamber <NUM> when the leaf <NUM> is in the closing position.

The second sealing gasket <NUM> is more precisely configured and disposed to delimit a first air chamber <NUM> in cooperation with the first sealing gasket <NUM> between the stop frame <NUM> and the leaf frame <NUM> and a second air chamber <NUM> in cooperation with the third sealing gasket <NUM>.

The second sealing gasket <NUM> engages a tooth <NUM> of the outer leaf profile <NUM> when the leaf <NUM> is in the closing position.

This solution helps to reduce the total case of the side joint of the door or window.

In particular, the total case of the side joint of the door or window shown in <FIG> and <FIG> can be reduced to <NUM>.

Furthermore, since the second sealing gasket <NUM> does not cooperate with the interconnecting leaf profile <NUM>, the latter must not have configuration constraints to ensure the sealing and consequently it can be identical to the interconnecting leaf profile <NUM> in the side joint of the door or window.

This leads to a simplification in logistics and warehouse management.

In their preferred illustrated form, the interconnecting profile <NUM> and the interconnecting leaf profile <NUM> employed in the side joint of the door or window have a closed polygonal-section cavity internally provided with one or more partitioning septa.

The second sealing gasket <NUM> is supported by a block <NUM> which is made of a more rigid material compared thereto and heat insulating, for example a polymer, in particular ABS.

The block <NUM> has a coupling seat <NUM> for the second sealing gasket <NUM> and coupling teeth <NUM> for the outer stop profile <NUM>.

The seat <NUM> is configured for a shape and force snap connection of the second sealing gasket <NUM>. The outer stop profile <NUM> also has a seat <NUM> configured for a shape and force snap connection of the teeth <NUM>.

The block <NUM> has in particular a first portion 17a provided with the coupling teeth <NUM> in the seat <NUM> obtained on the outer stop profile <NUM> and a second portion 17b covering the interconnecting profile <NUM>.

The second portion 17b of the block <NUM> has a flat surface <NUM> preferably fastened by means of a layer of adhesive <NUM> to a flat surface <NUM> of the interconnecting profile <NUM>.

The first portion 17a of the block <NUM> has the coupling seat <NUM> for the second sealing gasket <NUM> on the opposite side to the coupling teeth <NUM> for the outer stop profile <NUM>.

The block <NUM> further has a coupling seat <NUM> for a pad <NUM> cooperating with a counter-pad <NUM> so as to delimit a labyrinth air channel <NUM> in the second air chamber <NUM>.

The coupling seat <NUM> for the pad <NUM> is present on the second portion 17b of the block <NUM> on the side opposite the flat surface <NUM> for fastening to the interconnecting profile <NUM>.

The seat <NUM> is configured for a shape and force snap connection of the pad <NUM>.

The labyrinth air channel <NUM> is delimited by an irregular surface with reliefs and depressions of at least one between the pad <NUM> and the counter-pad <NUM>, with only the pad <NUM> in the case illustrated.

The pad <NUM> and the counter-pad <NUM> are positioned in a facing zone between the interconnecting profile <NUM> and the interconnecting leaf profile <NUM> when the leaf <NUM> is in the closing position.

The counter-pad <NUM> covers the interconnecting leaf profile <NUM> and is clamped against it by means of a shape and force snap coupling in a seat delimited by the tooth <NUM> of the outer leaf profile <NUM> and by a tooth <NUM> of the inner leaf profile <NUM>.

In particular, the counter-pad <NUM> has a first shaped end thereof coupled to the tooth <NUM> of the outer leaf profile <NUM>, on the side of the latter opposite that against which the second sealing gasket <NUM> engages, and a second shaped end thereof coupled to the tooth <NUM> of the inner leaf profile <NUM>. Preferably, the two gaskets <NUM> and <NUM>, the pad <NUM> and the counter-pad <NUM> can be made of the same elastomeric material.

The gasket <NUM> can be made of different material, for example compact EPDM.

The second air chamber <NUM> provides, laterally to the labyrinth channel <NUM>, a free space <NUM> available for a hardware (not shown) of the door or window.

The leaf profiles <NUM>, <NUM> have respective longitudinal cavities <NUM>, <NUM> for housing an arm of respective fastening brackets <NUM>, <NUM>.

The fastening brackets <NUM>, <NUM> can be made of extruded aluminium or die-cast aluminium.

The fastening brackets <NUM>, <NUM> advantageously have a surface finish treatment layer consisting of an anodic oxidation. The oxide layer, obtained by means of an irreversible electrochemical process, allows to improve the mechanical surface features of the material surface and avoid the corrosion thereof. The oxide layer has red-coloured organic pigments which confer a characteristic chromatic effect aimed at also visually indicating the special corrosion resistance features of the product.

The brackets <NUM>, <NUM> are used to fasten the four sections to the four corners, two opposing horizontals and two opposing verticals, of which the inner leaf profile <NUM> and the outer leaf profile <NUM> are composed.

The stop profiles <NUM>, <NUM> also have respective longitudinal cavities <NUM>, <NUM> for housing an arm of respective fastening brackets <NUM>, <NUM>.

The fastening brackets <NUM>, <NUM> also advantageously have a surface finish treatment layer consisting of an anodic oxidation. The oxide layer, obtained by means of an irreversible electrochemical process, allows to improve the mechanical surface features of the material surface and avoid the corrosion thereof. The oxide layer has red-coloured organic pigments which confer a characteristic chromatic effect aimed at also visually indicating the special corrosion resistance features of the product.

In this case, the brackets <NUM>, <NUM> are used to fasten the four sections to the four corners, two opposing horizontals and two opposing verticals, of which the inner stop profile <NUM> and the outer stop profile <NUM> are composed.

The cavity <NUM> of the inner leaf profile <NUM> is delimited by a wall of the inner leaf profile <NUM> having an outer recess <NUM> for coupling to a glazing bead profile <NUM>.

At the recess <NUM>, the cavity <NUM> of the inner leaf profile <NUM> is in a rearward position relative to the side of the interconnecting leaf profile <NUM> facing the glass pane <NUM>.

As said, the total case of the side joint of the door or window shown in <FIG> and <FIG> can be reduced to <NUM>.

The metal profiles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can be made of an aluminium alloy, for example an aluminium magnesium silicon alloy, in particular alloy <NUM>, which confers suitable mechanical strength and burglary resistance properties.

The two separate air chambers <NUM>, <NUM> which are created between the stop frame <NUM> and the leaf frame <NUM> when the leaf <NUM> is closed, thanks also to the labyrinth channel <NUM> which is formed in the zone of the second chamber <NUM> adjacent to the first chamber <NUM>, contribute to improving the heat and acoustic insulation and the watertightness.

The special configuration of the stop frame <NUM> and the leaf frame <NUM> allows a considerable reduction in the case of the side joint of the door or window.

This means, in addition to a valuable minimalist effect now particularly sought after in the field of thermal break glass doors or windows, a greater brightness of the environment in which the door or window is installed.

The increase in the glass surface of the door or window offers a further contribution to energy savings due to the excellent heat insulating properties of the glass panes currently on the market. Finally, they are present both in the frame and on the leaf of the alignment brackets <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The central joint of the door or window of <FIG>, <FIG> defined by the frame of the two leaves <NUM>, <NUM>' is also structured so as to reduce the case.

In particular, at the central joint of the door or window of <FIG>, <FIG> the leaf frame <NUM> has a construction corresponding to that already described for the side joint.

Instead at the central joint of the door or window of <FIG>, <FIG>, the leaf frame <NUM>' comprises an inner metal leaf profile <NUM>' disposed facing the inner metal leaf profile <NUM> of the leaf frame <NUM> when the door or window is closed, an outer metal leaf profile <NUM>' disposed facing the outer metal leaf profile <NUM> of the leaf frame <NUM> when the door or window is closed, and at least one or, as shown, multiple leaf profiles in heat insulating material <NUM>' interconnecting between the inner leaf profile <NUM>' and the outer leaf profile <NUM>'.

Each interconnecting leaf profile <NUM> has at the opposite ends dovetailed feet <NUM>' provided with seats for an adhesive and retained by harpoons <NUM>' specially connected by means of mechanical deformation by rolling to the inner leaf profile <NUM>' or to the outer leaf profile <NUM>'.

The interconnecting leaf profile <NUM>' can be made of polymer, for example polyamide.

The door or window comprises a first sealing gasket <NUM>' between the outer leaf profiles <NUM>, <NUM>', a second sealing gasket <NUM>', and a third sealing gasket <NUM>' between the inner leaf profiles <NUM>, <NUM>'. The second sealing gasket <NUM>' separates a first air chamber <NUM>' and a second air chamber <NUM>' when the door or window is closed.

The second sealing gasket <NUM>' is more precisely configured and disposed to delimit a first air chamber <NUM>' in cooperation with the first sealing gasket <NUM>' between the leaf frames <NUM>, <NUM>' and a second air chamber <NUM>' in cooperation with the third sealing gasket <NUM>'.

Also in this case, the second sealing gasket <NUM>' is supported by a block <NUM> which is made of a more rigid material compared thereto and heat insulating, for example a polymer, in particular ABS.

The block <NUM> has a coupling seat <NUM> for the second sealing gasket <NUM>' and coupling teeth <NUM> for the outer stop profile <NUM>'.

The seat <NUM> is configured for a shape and force snap connection of the second sealing gasket <NUM>'. The block <NUM> further has a coupling seat <NUM> for a pad <NUM> cooperating with a counter-pad <NUM> so as to delimit a labyrinth air channel in the second air chamber <NUM>'.

Overall, this solution helps to reduce the total case of the side joint of the door or window.

In particular, the total case of the central joint of the door or window shown in <FIG> and <FIG> can be reduced to <NUM>.

The thermal break door or window as conceived herein is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants all falling within the scope of the inventive concept and all the details are replaceable by technically equivalent elements.

Claim 1:
A thermal break door or window comprising at least one leaf (<NUM>) and a stop frame (<NUM>) for the leaf (<NUM>), wherein said leaf (<NUM>) comprises a leaf frame (<NUM>) and at least one glass pane (<NUM>), wherein said stop frame (<NUM>) comprises an inner metal stop profile (<NUM>), an outer metal stop profile (<NUM>), at least one profile made of heat insulating material (<NUM>) interconnecting between said inner stop profile (<NUM>) and said outer stop profile (<NUM>), and said leaf frame (<NUM>) comprises an inner metal leaf profile (<NUM>), an outer metal leaf profile (<NUM>), and a leaf profile made of heat insulating material (<NUM>) interconnecting between said inner leaf profile (<NUM>) and said outer leaf profile (<NUM>), and wherein a first sealing gasket (<NUM>) between said outer stop profile (<NUM>) and said outer leaf profile (<NUM>), a second sealing gasket (<NUM>), and a third sealing gasket (<NUM>) between said inner stop profile (<NUM>) and said inner leaf profile (<NUM>) are provided, said second sealing gasket (<NUM>) being configured and disposed so as to delimit, between said stop frame (<NUM>) and said leaf frame (<NUM>), a first air chamber (<NUM>) in cooperation with said first sealing gasket (<NUM>) and a second air chamber (<NUM>) in cooperation with said third sealing gasket (<NUM>), said second sealing gasket (<NUM>) being supported by a block (<NUM>) which is made of a more rigid material compared thereto and heat insulating, said block (<NUM>) having a coupling seat (<NUM>) for said second sealing gasket (<NUM>), characterised in that said second sealing gasket (<NUM>) is configured and disposed so as to engage with a tooth (<NUM>) of said outer leaf profile (<NUM>) and said block (<NUM>) has teeth (<NUM>) for coupling to said outer stop profile.