Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02338803 2007-11-05
1 "PART OF FACADE, PARTITION WALL OR EQUAL CONSTRUCTION
2 WHICH CAN BE USED ON BOTH SIDES, AND MOUNTINGS
3 FOR THIS FACADE"
4
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
6 The present invention relates to parts of facades, partitions or the
7 like which can be used on both sides including those having properties on
each
8 rendering it desirable to be able to turn the part in its support and secure
it from
9 undesired rotation. The present invention also relates to hardware for such
swiveling or pivoting such parts including mountings, optionally fit with
friction
11 elements, and also fittings which facilitate the swiveling or pivoting of
the parts.
12
13 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
14 A great number of more or less complex devices are known in the
art for at least partly turning windows so as to make the outer surface
accessible
16 for maintenance from the inside of buildings. The aim has been to turn the
17 window as close to 180 as possible to allow easy access for maintenance.
18 However, in the cases where the pivoting has taken place through virtually
180 ,
19 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
21 can only be turned approximately 180 .
22 Today's building technology uses, not least when it comes to cladding
23 glass, highly specialized windows of double or multilayer type and having a
24 sophisticated system of coatings sometimes with highly selective reflection
and
transmission properties. The object of these energy-efficient windows is to
26 maximize or optimize both the transmission and reflection of heat and
light.
CA 02338803 2007-11-05
1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
2 In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention enables
3 a supported part to rotate through 1800 about opposing pivots placed either
4 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
6 partition. Connectors attached to opposing sides or faces of such a frame
permit
7 the frame to be releasably connected to a structure or casing in which it is
8 mounted. Corresponding connectors are provided on either face of the frame
9 and thus facilitate use of either face of the frame for purposes including
maintenance to thus garner full advantage of a frame having different
11 characteristics on each face.
12 The invention is described herein in the context of a window
13 supported in a frame and mounted within a casing, although one skilled in
the art
14 would appreciate that the invention is readily applicable to other
apparatus such
as doors, facades, partitions and the like.
16 Windows may be manufactured having different transmission and
17 absorption properties on opposing faces for us in different climatic
conditions
18 and thus employing the present invention, the window can be easily pivoted
to
19 take advantage of those characteristics without having to remove the window
from the casing.
21 In a broad aspect of the invention, apparatus is supported in a
22 frame and horizontally swiveled or vertically pivoted within a casing for
use on
23 either face and comprises: a pivot located between the casing and the frame
at
24 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;
2
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1 deformable sealing elements positioned about a periphery of the apparatus
2 attached to one of either the casing or the frame for sealing between the
casing
3 and the frame; and connectors located on opposing faces of the frame to
permit
4 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
6 and closing device to be alternately attached to either face of the frame
and thus
7 permit the window to be opened and closed and to be actuated to rotate fully
8 about the pivots and to be again locked into position having either face of
the
9 window exposed to the exterior of the structure.
Preferably, the deformable sealing elements are U-shaped strips
11 which are attached to either the casing or to the frame. The U-shaped
strips are
12 sized slightly larger than the gap between the casing and the frame,
causing the
13 sealing elements to deform and create an airtight seal therebetween. More
14 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
16 between the weather exposed face of the window and the pivot.
17 Preferably, the pivot is housed within a concealed hinge which is
18 mounted between the casing and the frame. Depending upon the embodiment of
19 the hinge, the bulkier portions are best recessed in the casing between the
deformable sealing elements.
21 More preferably, the concealed hinge further houses a friction
22 element which acts to increase the friction acting upon the pivot to
restrain the
23 window from free rotation about the pivot. This is of particular concern if
the
24 window is bumped or is subject to gusts of wind or pressure changes within
the
structure and the like.
3
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1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
2 Figure 1 is a partial cutaway view of an apparatus according to the
3 present invention wherein the apparatus is a window mounted in a casing, the
4 window shown swiveled 90 degrees within the casing;
Figure 2 is an isometric view of the window according to Fig. 1
6 shown in an open position;
7 Figure 3 is an isometric view of the window according to Fig. 2
8 shown in an closed position and illustrating one embodiment of an opening
and
9 closing device;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view according to Fig. 1;
11 Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a U-shaped strip illustrating a
12 nailing strip used for attaching the U-shaped strip to either the casing or
the
13 frame;
14 Figure 6 is a cross-sectional views according to Fig. 1 illustrating
U-shaped strips attached to the casing;
16 Figures 7 is a cross-sectional views according to Fig. I illustrating
17 U-shaped strips attached to the window frame and illustrating one
embodiment
18 of an opening and closing device;
19 Figures 8a-c illustrate one embodiment of a concealed hinge, more
particularly
21 Figure 8a is a side view illustrating opposing portions of the
22 concealed hinge prior to engagement;
23 Figure 8b is a side view illustrating opposing portions of the
24 concealed hinge in an engaged position; and
Figure 8c is a plan view of a first mounting plate of one of the
4
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1 opposing portions of the concealed hinge;
2 Figures 9a to 9f illustrate a second embodiment of a concealed
3 hinge further comprising friction elements; more particularly,
4 Figure 9a is a side view illustrating friction elements and a disc
spring in a housing positioned between the bolt plate and the first mounting
6 plate;
7 Figure 9b is a plan view of the friction element housing;
8 Figure 9c is an end view according to Fig. 9b;
9 Figure 9d is a bottom view according to Fig. 9b;
Figure 9e is a side view according to Fig. 9b;
11 Figure 9f is a plan view of a first embodiment of a friction disc; and
12 Figure 9g is a plan view of a second embodiment of a friction disc;
13 Figures 10a to 10c illustrate an alternate embodiment of a pivot
14 bolt and attached friction elements, more particularly;
Figure 10a is a side sectional view of a pivot bolt with attached
16 friction elements, an adjustment nut and a locking nut;
17 Figure 10b is a side sectional view illustrating the pivot bolt
18 according to Fig. 10a; and
19 Figure 10c is a side sectional view of the friction elements,
adjustment nut and locking nut according to Fig. 10a;
21 Figures 11 a to 11 c illustrate another altemate embodiment of a
22 concealed hinge having a pivot bolt and friction elements, more
particularly;
23 Figure 11 a is a side sectional view illustrating a pivot bolt and
24 friction element having a lever arm for adjusting the friction element;
Figure 11b is a side view according to Fig. 11a; and
5
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1 Figure 11c is a plan view according to Fig. 11a;
2 Figures 12a to 12c illustrate yet another alternate embodiment of a
3 concealed hinge having a pivot bolt and friction elements, more
particularly;
4 Figure 12a is a sectional side view illustrating the pivot bolt and
friction elements according to Fig. 10a incorporated into a concealed hinge;
6 Figure 12b is a side view according to Fig. 12a; and
7 Figure 12c is a plan view according to Fig. 12a;
8 Figures 13a to 13g illustrate one possible embodiment of a closing
9 device, more particularly;
Figure 13a is a side view of a bracket and actuation arm of one
11 embodiment of an opening and closing device;
12 Figure 13b is a plan view of the actuation arm illustrating a sliding
13 track formed thereon;
14 Figure 13c is a side view of a block and guide pin attached to a
casing and supporting the actuation arm according to Fig. 13a for connection
to
16 a connector on the window frame;
17 Figure 13d is a front view of one embodiment of the connector
18 located on the frame;
19 Figure 13e is a side view illustrating one embodiment of a guide pin
spring loaded in the block;
21 Figure 13f is a plan view according to Fig. 13e; and
22 Figure 13g is an alternate embodiment of a guide pin threaded for
23 engagement in an L-shaped block.
6
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1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
2 Having reference to Figs 1-3, apparatus 10 of the present invention
3 is shown. It will be appreciated that the apparatus 10 is described herein
in the
4 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 descnbed, can be equally
applied
6 to other apparatus 10 such as doors, facades, partitions or walls that can
be
7 rotated within a casing 14 or other suitable opening in a structure, for use
on
8 either face. The term frame 13 herein is to be interpreted as any structure
which
9 is rotatably supported in the casing 14.
The frame 13 is mounted on vertical or horizontal opposing
11 concealed hinges 15. Each hinge 15 comprises a pivot 16 located between the
12 frame 13 and the casing 14 and are located and extend along an axis which
13 passes through the center of the frame 13 as to permit the window 11 to be
14 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
16 the glazed portion 12 of the window 11, particularly if opposing faces 12a,
12b
17 have different transmission or absorption properties and to permit cleaning
and
18 maintaining of both faces of the window 11 with convenient access from one
19 face only.
An opening and closing device 20 is connected between the frame
21 13 and the casing 14. The device 20 is employed to both lock the frame 13
into a
22 closed position and to actuate the window 11 to pivot about the hinge 15.
The
23 window 11 can be pivoted to an open position at any angle between 0 and
24 180 . 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
7
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1 on an opposing face of the frame 13 to permit locking the window 11 into a
2 closed position following 1800 rotation. Due to the connectors 21a, 21b,
3 alternate openers can be applied and need not have a very extensive opening
4 stroke. Conventional scissor-type openers or other openers could be
employed.
The frame 13 and casing 14 are about their periphery and
6 interface, with deformable sealing elements 30 positioned between the frame
13
7 and the casing 14 and affixed to one of either the frame 13 or the casing 14
to
8 create an air tight seal when the window 11 is in the closed position.
Preferably,
9 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
11 U-shaped strips 30 positioned between a weather-exposed face of the window
12 11 and the hinges 15.
13 As shown in Figs. 4-7, the U-shaped strips 30 are preferably
14 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.
16 With reference to Fig. 4 and in a preferred embodiment of the
17 invention, the frame 13 is divided into two parts 13a and 13b, preferably
placed
18 against one another with tongues and grooves 50 to ensure lateral stability
and
19 fastened to one another by means of screws (not shown).
The apparatus 10, is intended to be turned about an axis
21 perpendicular to the figure's paper plane and which lies in a plane in the
centre
22 of the casing/frame 14, 13 cross-section. Rotation through 180 of the
frame 13
23 whilst it is in the casing 14 is allowed due to the clearance or space 51
between
24 the frame 13 and casing 14, the space 51 being typically and preferably
between
3.2 mm and 20 mm.
8
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1 As mentioned above, the air tightness takes place preferably by
2 providing the U-shaped sections 30, secured to the frame 13 or to the casing
14
3 and of a dimension such that the U-shaped sections 30 are in constant
contact
4 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
6 larger than the space 51 to ensure adequate sealing therebetween.
7 Optionally, and typically applied where the frame 13 supports a
8 window 11, decorative fittings 53 are attached to the weather exposed face
of
9 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
11 removable, at least in part, to permit the frame 13 to be rotated 180 .
12 In principle it is irrelevant which portions of the concealed hinge 15
13 are fastened to the frame 13 and which are fastened to the casing 14,
although
14 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
16 which support the pivot 16, are attached or embedded in the casing 14, as
will
17 be described in greater detail below.
18 As shown in Fig. 1, the casing 14 is grooved or recessed to
19 accommodate the bulkier portions of the hinge 15.
Having reference to Figs. 8a-8c, one embodiment of a concealed
21 hinge 15 is illustrated. A bolt plate 60 supporting a pivot bolt 61 is
connected to a
22 first mounting plate 62 via adjusting screws 63. The first mounting plate
62 has a
23 hole 64 through which the pivot bolt 61 extends. The first mounting plate
62 is
24 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
9
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1 rotation runs through the longitudinal axis of the pivot bolt 61.
2 A second mounting plate 66 is secured to the opposing of either
3 the frame 13 or the casing 14 and preferably to the frame 13. The second
4 mounting plate 66 has a socket 67 for receiving the pivot bolt 61 extending
through the first mounting plate 62. Holes 68 are provided in the second
6 mounting plate 66 for securing it to the frame 13 using screws (not shown).
7 Once the pivot bolt plate 60 and first mounting plate 62 are
8 mounted into the groove in the casing 14, the adjustment screws 63 are
adjusted
9 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
11 engage the socket 67 in the second mounting plate 66 on the frame 13. In
order
12 to effect this adjustment, the window is positioned into the casing,
rotated
13 roughly 90 to the casing. The adjustment screws 63 are positioned
sufficiently
14 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
16 the first mounting plate 62, extending the attached pivot bolt 61 further
through
17 the hole 64. and into engagement with the socket 67 in the second mounting
18 plate 66. Altemately, the pivot bolt 61 can be retracted from the socket 67
to
19 release the frame 13 from the casing 14, should it be necessary to
completely
remove the frame 13, such as for repair or replacement.
21 The axis of rotation runs along the longitudinal axis of the pivot bolt
22 61, in addition to running in a plane approximately in the centre of the
depth of
23 the casing 14, also, in projection, divides the casing opening into two
identical,
24 upper and lower or left and right geometric parts, as the case may be, so
as to
allow an approximately symmetrical rotation.
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1 More preferably, as shown in Figs. 9a-f, 10a-d, 11a-c and 12a-c
2 the frame 13 is restricted from free rotation, when in the open position, by
a
3 friction element 40 acting in each concealed hinge 15 to increase the
friction in
4 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
6 added to the concealed hinge 15 and pivot bolt 61 acts to resist pivoting of
the
7 window about the pivot bolt 61.
8 A first embodiment for adjustment of the friction is simply to actuate
9 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
11 an open position. The pivot bolt 61 may be stepped so as to form a shoulder
12 which cannot pass through the socket 67.
13 As shown in Figs. 9a-9f, a second embodiment of friction
14 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
16 61 runs through the hole 64 in the first mounting plate 62 and extends into
the
17 socket 67 thereabove in the second mounting plate 66. A housing 41 is
18 arranged between the pivot bolt 61 and the pivot bolt plate 60. The housing
41 is
19 formed having a longitudinal groove 47 through which the bolt plate 60
passes. A
plurality of friction discs 42, connected to a disc spring 43, are supported
in the
21 housing 41 below the pivot bolt 61. When the pivot bolt plate 60 is drawn
22 towards the first mounting plate 62 by means of the screws 63, the friction
discs
23 42 are pressed towards one another by the disc spring 43, creating
sufficient
24 friction to resist rotation of the window and the pivot bolt 61 within the
housing
41.
11
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1 As shown in Fig. 9f, one embodiment of a friction disc 42, has
2 protrusions 44 extending from the disc 42 that are held in the housing 41
and
3 which are prevented from rotating with the pivot bolt 61 by means of
4 corresponding recesses 45 in the housing 41.
As shown in Fig. 9g, a second embodiment of a friction disc 42 is
6 held in place by means of a rectangular hole 46 in the friction disc 42
which
7 engages a rectangular protrusion 44 in the bottom of the housing 41.
8 As previously stated, using the embodiments of the friction
9 elements 40 shown in Figs. 8a-c and 9a-g, the spacing between the adjustment
screws 63 is slightly greater than the width of the frame 13 so that the
11 adjustment screws 63 can be manipulated when the window 11 is positioned at
12 90 to the casing 14. It may be desirable, however, to have a friction
element 40
13 that can be adjusted more simply.
14 Having reference to Figs. 10a-d, a third embodiment of a friction
element 40 is shown which embodies a simple adjustment mechanism for
16 adjusting the friction between the pivot bolt 61 and the hinge 15. The
pivot bolt
17 61 is formed as a double screw 70 with an upper threaded portion 71 having
a
18 relatively large diameter and a lower threaded portion 72 having a
relatively
19 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
21 66. An adjusting nut 75 is screwed onto the pivot bolt 61, and more
specifically
22 onto the threaded portion 72. A disc spring 76 is arranged under the
adjusting
23 nut 75 and a plurality of friction discs 42 as described in the second
embodiment.
24 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
12
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1 friction element 40 is connected to the first mounting plate 62, a portion
of the
2 adjusting nut 75 will be visible between the casing 14 and the frame 13 and
can
3 be grasped with a suitable tool for adjusting the tension.
4 Having reference to Figs. 11a-c, a fourth embodiment of a friction
element 40 is shown. A lever arm 80, through which the top of the pivot bolt
61
6 extends is connected to the friction element 40 such that when an adjustment
is
7 made to an adjustment screw 81 at a first end 82, the lever arm 80 is caused
to
8 pivot about a second end 83 which applies or releases friction through
9 compression or release of the disc spring 43 on the friction elements 42
about
the pivot bolt 61.
11 Having reference to Figs. 12a-c, a fifth embodiment of a friction
12 element 40 is shown, comprising the elements of the third embodiment,
however
13 arranged slightly differently. The arm 80 of the fourth embodiment is
replaced by
14 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
16 pivot bolt 61 on the other side of the friction element 40. Adjustment of
nut 75
17 causes an altemation in the friction applied between the pivot bolt 61 and
the
18 hinge 15.
19 The embodiments, which are shown in Figs. 11 a-11 c and Figs.
12a-12c, are distinguished by a simple assembly, the hinge 15 incorporating
21 these embodiments is less bulky than those previously disclosed herein and
can
22 easily be assembled in milled-out grooves (not shown) between the U-shaped
23 strips 30.
24 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
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1 to actuate the window 11 to pivot about the hinge 15.
2 Having reference to Figs. 2, 3, 7 and 13a-h, one embodiment of an
3 opening and closing device 20 is shown although others are known. The
4 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
6 stops for positioning. The block 90 is screwed into the casing 14 adjacent
the
7 connector 21 a,21 b(collectively 21) on the frame 13. A first end 94 of the
8 actuation arm 92 is pivotally connected a bracket 95, which is removably
9 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
11 a number or preset positions.
12 Shown in greater detail in Figs. 7g-h, a slide rod 96 is mounted to
13 the connector 21a,21b on the frame 13 and is secured thereon by a locking
plate
14 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,
16 prior to securing the slide rod 96 into the connector 21.
17 The sliding track 93 is formed having a plurality of slightly enlarged
18 indexing areas 99 and a larger release opening 100, through which the guide
pin
19 91 is inserted.
Preferably, as shown in Figs 13d-e, the guide pin 91 is slightly
21 stepped in profile, having a collar area 101, which has the smallest
diameter
22 corresponding to the non-enlarged areas 102 of the sliding track 93 in the
23 actuation arm 92. A lower and larger area 103 of the guide pin 91
corresponds to
24 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
14
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1 position or a chosen and variable open airing position, without any
possibility of
2 accessibility from the outside of the window 11.
3 The arm 92 is temporarily released from connection to the block 90
4 by removing the guide pin 91 through the release opening 100, which is
larger
than the largest diameter of the guide pin 91.
6 As shown in Figs 13d-f, further embodiments of the pin 91 are
7 contemplated, allowing the pin 91 to be readily released from the sliding
track
8 93. In one such embodiment, best seen in Figs. 13d and 13f, the guide pin 91
is
9 spring-loaded in the block 90. In a second embodiment best seen in Fig. 7e,
the
pin 91 is unscrewed from the block 90 in the form of an angle element 104.
11 By means of the inventive idea, it is for the first time possible to be
12 able to utilize all the technical possibilities represented by different
types of
13 glazing in terms of light and heat reflection and transmission. This is
achieved
14 through enabling the tuming of the window 11, or door or combinations
thereof,
parts of facades, partitions and the like, exactly 180 so that the whole unit
16 remains in place and in sealing engagement with the surrounding casing 14,
and
17 by means of the outlined types of hardware which permit this,.
18 Because cladding panels, for example, are capable of being turned
19 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
21 advertising, since all these features can be put in place with relative
ease and
22 further by turning the panel, can also be easily removed.
