The invention concerns a frame structure with ventilation arrangement for mounting of a window or door in a wall erected between an exterior environment and an interior environment, comprising: a window profile for framing the window or door; an outer flange for placing against the wall in the exterior environment; an inner flange for placing against the wall in the interior environment; and - a clamp connection for clamping the wall between the inner flange and the outer flange, by securely fixing the inner flange to the outer flange; wherein the clamp connection comprises an attachment cavity which is provided with at least one internal barbed element, and an insertion element which is provided with at least one external barbed element for engaging behind the internal barbed element in the attachment cavity when the insertion element is placed in the attachment cavity.

Such frame structures are used in so-called thin-walled systems, wherein the wall itself does not provide sufficient stiffness for installing windows and doors. The stability of the structure is ensured by the windows and doors, by clamping these around the wall using a so-called frame structure.

One example of such a frame structure is described and depicted in NL 6 903 850. Examples of such thin-walled systems are known in caravans, campervans, motorhomes, container buildings etc.

The clamp connection may here be achieved in many ways. Said barbed elements of the clamp connection are here not necessarily configured as hooks but may be any element which has the inherent function of a barb for secure fixing. Some examples of such clamp connections have already been described and shown in NL 6 903 850 A. Alternatives to these are known for example from DE 10 2009 005 177 Al,

DE 89 14329 Ul, and DE 101 16 359 B4.

The wall is erected between an interior environment and an exterior environment, wherein the ventilation arrangement provides an air supply from the exterior environment to the interior environment. A frame structure with a ventilation arrangement, as described and shown in NL 6 903 850, however has a low energy efficiency and makes acoustic damping difficult. Attempts to improve the energy efficiency and acoustic performance threaten the stability of the structure.

In order to increase the energy efficiency, acoustic performance and other physical performance of the ventilation device, extra volume is required. This is not present in such an installation, or at least cannot be achieved in an aesthetically responsible fashion.

In order to comply with the higher requirements for thermal insulation and sound insulation, today central mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery are integrated in such thin-walled systems.

Such a central mechanical ventilation system is however a costly solution.

It is an object of this invention to provide a cheaper solution for improving the thermal insulation and sound insulation in the ventilation arrangement in such thin- walled systems.

This object of the invention is achieved by the provision of a frame structure for mounting of a window or door in a wall erected between an interior environment and an exterior environment, comprising: a window profile for framing the window or door; a ventilation device as a ventilation arrangement which is attached by a first side to the window profile in order to extend between the window profile and the wall; an outer flange provided on the ventilation device and intended for placing against the wall in the exterior environment; an inner flange for placing against the wall in the interior environment; and a clamp connection for clamping the wall between the inner flange and the outer flange, by securely fixing the inner flange to the outer flange; wherein the clamp connection comprises an attachment cavity provided on a second side of the ventilation device opposite the first side, and provided with at least one internal barbed element; and an insertion element which is provided on the inner flange and provided with at least one external barbed element for engaging behind the internal barbed element in the attachment cavity when the insertion element is placed in the attachment cavity; wherein the outer flange, the attachment cavity and the insertion element each form part of a separate component of the frame structure.

The ventilation arrangement according to the invention is no longer surrounded by the window profile, together with the infill of the window or door. The ventilation arrangement is now arranged between the window profile and the wall. The ventilation arrangement is here preferably placed above the window or door, but in certain embodiments may also be arranged at the side of the window or door, or below the window or door.

A ventilation arrangement placed between the window profile and the wall may comprise a greater volume, whereby it is possible to substantially increase the energy efficiency and sound insulation of such a frame structure without threatening the stability of the installation.

Many types of ventilation devices may be attachable between the window profile and the wall in this fashion, and may ensure an increased energy efficiency and sound insulation. Both ventilation devices with natural ventilation and those with mechanical ventilation are considered here. Examples of suitable ventilation devices are described and depicted for example in NL 2 019 426 Bl, BE 1 023 751 Al, EP 26664865 and W012155913.

The attachment cavity according to the invention is not formed by a profile which also forms the inner flange or outer flange, as was usually the case in the prior art. Because the outer flange, the attachment cavity and the insertion element are each formed by a separate component of the frame structure, thermal bridges are avoided. The connection which clamps the wall between the inner flange and the outer flange is thermally interrupted.

The outer flange of such a frame structure may here be implemented in many ways. The outer flange may for example be configured as one or more profiles which can be attached to the ventilation device. This outer flange may also form part of a profile which itself forms part of the housing of the ventilation device. Examples of how such an outer flange may be produced are described and depicted for example in NL 2019426 Bl, NL 2005 878 C, NL 1 029 154 C, andNL 1 010788 C.

Preferably, the insertion element is provided as part of the frame structure separately from the ventilation device. Because the insertion element is part of the frame structure which is provided separately from the ventilation device, the clamp connection has no influence on the energy efficiency or sound insulation of this ventilation device. The clamp connection is achieved with respect to the ventilation device but in no way influences the ventilation capacity.

The inner flange is provided with said insertion element and is attached in the frame structure by the placing of the insertion element in the attachment cavity.

The attachment cavity may here also be implemented in many ways. The attachment cavity may be created using one or more profiles which can be attached to the ventilation device. This attachment cavity may also be created by means of one or more profiles which help form the housing of the ventilation device.

More specifically, for this the frame structure may comprise a receiver leg which forms the attachment cavity and is provided with the internal barbed element.

The receiver leg may here be fixedly attached to the second side of the ventilation device and for example form part of a top profile of the ventilation device. Alternatively, the frame structure may comprise a fixing leg which is connected to the receiver leg and can be attached to the ventilation device in order to provide the attachment cavity on the second side.

The fixing leg may here be fixedly connected to the receiver leg, or may be fixably provided on the receiver leg in order to be connected to the receiver leg.

By means of a fixing leg for attaching the receiver leg to the ventilation device, in order thus to provide the attachment cavity on the second side, existing ventilation devices may easily be adapted to form part of an embodiment of the frame structure according to this invention.

The fixing leg may here be simply screwed to the ventilation device, for example on the second side. In certain embodiments, alternatively or additionally, the fixing leg may be clip-mounted.

Preferably, the fixing leg comprises a hook element for securing the fixing leg to the ventilation device in the interior environment. If the receiver leg can be attached to the ventilation device by means of such a hook element, this receiver leg constitutes no obstacle to the placing of the window or door in an opening in the wall. When the window or door has been brought to the desired position, the receiver leg may simply be fastened to the second side of the ventilation device, between the ventilation device and the wall, from the interior environment and secured by engagement of the hook element.

In a particular embodiment, the frame structure comprises an awning device with an awning which can be rolled onto and unrolled from an awning roller in order to shield the window or door, wherein this awning roller is installed in a protective casing which is attached to the window profile and on which the ventilation device is attached for fastening the ventilation device to the window profile, wherein the protective casing extends between the ventilation device and the window profile.

Such an awning device may be configured as a roller shutter or an awning device with a roll-up canvas.

In the prior art, protective casings of such awning devices are arranged between the window profile and the wall, and also shield the ventilation device, which is installed inside the window profile, together with the window or door.

By installing the protective casing between the ventilation device and the window profile, firstly shorter awnings are required for shielding the window or door. Secondly, this installation ensures that in unrolled state of the roller shutter or canvas, the ventilation opening is not closed by this roller shutter or canvas, and hence sufficient ventilation flow is possible. In particular in summer or in bright light, heat may accumulate between an unrolled shutter or unrolled canvas and a window or door. In the prior art, this hot air was drawn in through the ventilation device. Because the ventilation device is now arranged between the protective casing and the wall, cooler air is always introduced by the ventilation device.

The invention is now explained in more detail with reference to the following detailed description of some preferred frame structures according to this invention. The aim of this description is exclusively to give clarifying examples and indicate further advantages and features of these frame structures, and may thus in no sense be interpreted as a restriction of the area of application of the invention or of the protected rights claimed in the claims.

In this detailed description, by means of reference signs, reference is made to the appended drawings in which:

- figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a frame structure according to this invention in cross-section;

- figure 2 shows the cover profile of the frame structure from figure 1 which contains the outer flange, separately in cross-section;

- figure 3 shows the ventilation device of the frame structure from figure 1 separately in cross-section;

- figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a ventilation device of a frame structure according to this invention, separately in cross-section;

- figure 5 shows the attachment profile of the frame structure from figure 1 which forms the attachment cavity of this frame structure, separately in cross- section;

- figure 6 shows a second embodiment of an attachment profile which forms the attachment cavity of a frame structure according to this invention, separately in cross-section;

- figure 7 shows an insertion profile with the inner flange and insertion element of the frame structure from figure 1, separately in cross-section;

- figure 8 shows a second embodiment of an insertion profile with inner flange and insertion element of a frame structure according to this invention, separately in cross-section;

- figure 9 shows a third embodiment of an insertion profile with inner flange and insertion element of a frame structure according to this invention, separately in cross-section; - figure 10 shows a third embodiment of a ventilation device of a frame structure according to this invention, separately in cross-section, with integral outer flange and integral attachment cavity;

- figure 11 shows a fourth embodiment of a ventilation device of a frame structure according to this invention, separately in cross-section, with integral outer flange and integral attachment cavity;

- figure 12 shows a fifth embodiment of a ventilation device of a frame structure according to this invention, separately in cross-section, with integral outer flange and integral attachment cavity;

- figure 13 shows a second embodiment of a frame structure according to this invention in cross-section, with the cover profile from figure 2, the attachment profile from figure 6, the insertion profile from figure 8 and the ventilation device from figure 4;

- figure 14 shows a third embodiment of a frame structure according to this invention in cross-section, with an alternative cover profile, the attachment profile from figure 6, the insertion profile from figure 9 and the ventilation device from figure 3.

The frame structures (1) depicted are provided for mounting of a window (2) in a wall (3). Alternatively, such a frame structure (1) may be provided for mounting of e.g. a door in the wall.

The wall (3) is indicated purely schematically in figures 1, 13 and 14. This wall (3) separates an exterior environment (7) from an interior environment (8). Typically, such a wall (3) forms a wall as depicted. In specific embodiments, such a wall may however also form a ceiling or a floor.

The frame structure (1) comprises a window profile (4) for framing an infill of the window or door. In the embodiments depicted, the window profile (4) frames the glazing (19) as the infill. Other infills are however also conceivable, such as e.g. a solid panel as an infill for a door.

The window profile (4) is attached to the wall (3) by means of an outer flange (5) and an inner flange (6), wherein this wall (3) is clamped between said flanges (5, 6). The outer flange (5) is here placed against the wall (3) in the exterior environment (7). The inner flange (6) is here placed against the wall (3) in the interior environment (8). By means of a clamp connection, the inner flange (6) is securely attached to the outer flange (5) by clamping the wall (3) between the two flanges (5, 6).

A ventilation device (13) is installed directly between the window profile (4) and the wall (3).

The ventilation device (13) is for this attached to a first side (14) of the window profile (4). In the embodiments depicted, the ventilation device (13) is here in each case attached by screws (31) above the window profile (4). Other known fixing methods are also suitable here, such as for example using adhesives or with an intermediate plate or intermediate profile screwed to the window profile, over which the ventilation device clips into place.

With alternative installations, a ventilation device of a frame structure according to this invention may also be attached below a window profile, in order to install this ventilation device between the window profile and the wall below a window or door, or be attached to the window profile at the side in order to install this ventilation device between the window profile and the wall at the side of a window or door.

By means of the ventilation device (13), air is supplied from the exterior environment (7) to the interior environment (8). The ventilation devices (13) depicted are in each case ventilation devices (13) in which a self-regulating valve is installed to ensure natural ventilation. Alternatively, other ventilation devices may also be received in a frame structure according to this invention, such as for example ventilation devices with mechanical ventilation.

In the embodiments of a frame structure (1) depicted in figures 1, 13 and 14, a cover profile (32) is attached to the outside of the ventilation device (13). This cover profile (32) serves as a rain cap for the ventilation device (13), to prevent rain which falls in the exterior environment from being drawn in with the ventilation air and conducted to the interior environment. In figure 2, the cover profile (32) from figures 1 and 13 is shown separately. Figure 14 shows a variant of this cover profile (32).

The outer flange (5) in this embodiment is designed as part of the cover profile (32). In the embodiment depicted, the cover profile (32) is engaged by means of a hook element (22) onto a hook element (25) of an outer profile (28) of the ventilation device (13), and is held by a spacer (23) at a desired position with respect to the ventilation device (13). The cover profile (32) is provided with screw channels (24) so that said cover profile (32) can be fixedly screwed by means of screws onto front caps of the ventilation device (13) which are not shown. Furthermore, the cover profile (32) is provided with an attachment groove (21) for holding an elastic seal (20) which is clamped between the outer flange (5) and the wall (3) when the wall (3) is clamped between the outer flange (5) and the inner flange (6).

Figures 10, 11 and 12 show a variant of this cover profile (32), wherein this cover profile (32) is integrated in an outer profile (28') of the ventilation device (13). In this way, the outer flange (5) is integrated in the ventilation device (13).

Figure 12 shows a variant for such a cover profile (32) which is integrated in an outer profile (28') of the ventilation device (13), wherein an alternative embodiment of the outer flange (5) is integrated in the ventilation device (13).

Alternatively, the outer flange (5) may also be provided so that it can be attached to the ventilation device (13) as a completely separate component.

Examples of further possible designs of an outer flange (5) are described and depicted in NL 2 019 426 Bl, NL 2 005 878 C, NL 1 0129 154 C and NL 1 010 788 C.

An attachment profile (33) is attached to the inside and to the top side of the ventilation devices (13) of the embodiments of a frame structure (1) shown in figures 1, 13 and 14. Figure 5 shows the attachment profile (33) from figure 1 separately. Figure 6 shows the attachment profile (33) from figures 13 and 14 separately.

The attachment profile (33) comprises a receiver leg (16) and a fixing leg (17). The receiver leg (16) forms an attachment cavity (9) and is provided with one or more internal barbed elements (10) which are arranged in the attachment cavity (9). Alternatively or additionally, the fixing leg (17) may also be provided with one or more internal barbed elements which are arranged in the attachment cavity (9).

The fixing leg (17) is provided with a hook element (18) for hooking this fixing leg (17) behind a hook element (27) on the front of the ventilation device (13). In addition, the fixing leg (17) is provided with a hook element (30) for hooking the fixing leg (17) behind a hook element (26) on the top side of the ventilation device (13). Said hook elements (18, 28, 30, 26) here also form clip fasteners for clip mounting the attachment profile (33) on the ventilation device (13).

Alternatively or additionally, the attachment profile (33) may for example also be simply screwed to the ventilation device (13), e.g. to a top profile (29) of the ventilation device. For this, said attachment profile (33) may for example also be attached to the ventilation device (13) by screws (31) via which the ventilation device (13) is fastened to the window profile (4).

Figures 10 to 12 show variants of the attachment profile (33), wherein said attachment profile (33) is integrated in a top profile (29') of the ventilation device (13).

In figures 10 to 12, both the outer flange (5) and the attachment profile (33) are integrated in the ventilation device (13). Alternatively, it is also possible that only one of these profiles (5, 33) is integrated in the ventilation device (13), instead of both profiles (5, 33). Such integrated profiles (5, 33) provide a simpler embodiment of frame structures with increased stiffness.

The figures furthermore depict some variants for the inner flange (6). In the embodiments depicted, this inner flange (6) forms part of an insertion profile (34) which furthermore comprises an insertion element (11) which can be inserted in the corresponding attachment cavity (9). Alternatively, the insertion element (11) may be provided on the inner flange (6) as a separate element. On its outer periphery, this insertion element (11) is provided with one or more external barbed elements (12) for engaging behind the one or more internal barbed elements (10) in the attachment cavity (9). By the engagement of the one or more external barbed elements (12) behind the internal barbed elements (10), a type of clamp connection is created with which the wall (3) can be clamped between the inner flange (6) and the outer flange

(5)·

The one or more internal barbed elements (10) and the one or more external barbed elements (12) are not necessarily configured in the form of hooks, but may be any element with the inherent function of a barb for secure fixing. Some alternative examples of barbed elements are known from NL 6 903 850 A.

The insertion element (11) is provided as part of the frame structure (1) separately from the ventilation device (13). In the embodiments depicted, for this the insertion profile (34) is provided as part of the frame structure (1) separately from the ventilation device (13). Because the insertion element (11) is part of the frame structure (1) which is provided separately from the ventilation device (13), the clamp connection has no influence on the energy efficiency or sound insulation of said ventilation device (13). The clamp connection is achieved with respect to said ventilation device (13) but in no way influences the ventilation capacity.

The attachment profiles (33) depicted and the insertion profiles (34) depicted always extend over the length of the ventilation device (13) and are configured as one piece. Alternatively, one or more parts may be provided for forming one or more attachment cavities, and one or more parts may be provided for forming one or more corresponding insertion elements.

Thus for example several attachment elements may be provided which each delimit an attachment cavity and are distributed over the length of the ventilation device (13). Furthermore, attachment elements may for example also comprise a separately configured receiver leg and a separately configured fixing leg.

Also, for example, several insertion elements may be provided which are distributed over the length of the ventilation device (13). Furthermore, it is also possible to configure insertion profiles with a separate insertion element and a separate inner flange.

For aesthetic reasons and in order to ensure the necessary seals, both thermal and acoustic, the outer flange (5) and the inner flange (6) preferably extend over the length of the ventilation device (13).

Figures 1, 13 and 14 show, for illustration, frame structures (1) with only some possible combinations of the components depicted in the other figures for frame structures (1) according to this invention. To receive different wall thicknesses of the walls (3), and to ensure the necessary stability of the structure when receiving different ventilation devices (13) and in different situations, many further combinations are possible. Also, said alternative embodiments of the different components may be used here, as long as the outer flange (5), the attachment cavity (9) and the insertion element (11) each form part of a separate component of the frame structure (1).

The various components of the frame structure (1) may, as known, be made from different materials. The profiles from which the housing of the ventilation device (13) is constructed are preferably made of plastic. The outer flange (5) and the inner flange (6) are preferably made of aluminium, but may also be made of a suitable plastic, for example if the outer flange (5) is integrated in the ventilation device (13). The attachment profile (33) is preferably made of plastic. The various components may each be made of one material. It is however also possible for a component to be made from various materials.

Existing frame structures without ventilation device in the window profile may easily be adapted to form a frame structure according to this invention, without the need for new windows or doors and associated window profiles. A part of the wall (3) adjacent to the window profile (4) may be removed here, in order to be able to attach the ventilation unit (13) to said window profile (4) so as to install the ventilation unit (13) between the window profile (4) and the wall (3). The erect flange of the existing window profile may simply be cut away. The remaining part of the wall (3) may then be clamped between the outer flange (5) and the inner flange (6) of the frame structure (1) according to the invention in order to form a depicted frame structure (1) or variant thereof.

In an embodiment which is not shown, the frame structure may furthermore comprise an awning device with an awning which can be rolled onto and unrolled from an awning roller in order to shield the window or door. This awning roller is for this installed in a protective casing which is attached to the window profile and on which the ventilation device is attached for fastening the ventilation device to the window profile. The protective casing then extends between the ventilation device and the window profile.