The present invention relates to a support strip for sheet elements and a support frame with such support strips according to the introductory portions of the independent claims.

In particular, it relates to such a support strip for sheet elements and such a support frame with such support strips intended for receiving a pair of sheet elements.

Background of the invention

Double glass windows are often fully sealed, and if the gas between the glass sheets is water vapour free, condensation will not occur. Over time, water vapour diffuse through the seals and then condensation on the double glass window may appear, which is very hard to eliminate once it occurs.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide a support strip for sheet elements and a support frame with such support strips which reduce the risk of condensation to occur between a pair of sheet elements in such a frame.

These and other objects are attained by a support strip for sheet elements and a support frame with such support strips according to the characterising portions of the independent claims.

Summary of the invention

The invention relates to a support strip 1-2 for two sheet elements lOa-b, where the support strip comprises an elongated internal cavity. The support strip comprises a surface arranged to receive a first sheet element 10a along a first edge of the surface and a second sheet element 10a along a second edge of the surface, where the support strip. Inbetween the surfaces arranged to receive the sheet element, the support strip comprises at least one internal through opening 8a-b that sets the space between the sheet elements 1 Oa-b in communication with the internal cavity of the support strip. The support strip further comprises at least one external through opening 8c that sets the internal cavity of the support strip in communication with the surroundings. During pressure changes between the space between the sheet elements and their surroundings, this gives an air flow between the sheet elements which advantageously reduces potential condensation. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support strip comprises a foot part 2 and a support element 1 , where the support element 1 extends from the surface of the support strip arranged to receive the sheet elements lOa-b, where the support element 1 at its upper portion comprise edge elements 3a-b arranged to receive the sheet elements. This advantageously facilitates mounting of the sheet elements to the support strip.

The invention further relates to a support frame for two sheet elements 1 Oa-b, comprising four such support strips 1-2 arranged in a rectangular shape and attached to each other.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a support strip according to the invention in detail, with the same pressure outside the double glass as inside the double glass

Fig. 2 shows the support strip according to the invention in detail, with a lower pressure outside the double glass than inside the double glass

Fig. 3 shows the support strip according to the invention in detail, with a higher pressure outside the double glass than inside the double glass

Fig. 4 shows, in cross section, the double glass mounted on support strips according to the invention, with a lower pressure outside the double glass than inside the double glass

Fig. 5 shows, in cross section, the double glass mounted on support strips according to the invention, with a higher pressure outside the double glass than inside the double glass

Description of a preferred embodiment

The invention relates to a support strip 1 -2 intended to carry to sheets, typically two glass sheets, which form a double glass window. The support strips surround rectangular glass sheets on four sides and form a closed element. The figures only illustrate selected portions of the support strips and the glass sheets.

Fig. 1 shows a support strip according to the invention in detail, with the same pressure outside the double glass as inside the double glass. The support strip comprises a foot part 2, that in cross section has a rectangular shape and where the short side of the rectangle supports the glass sheets. A support element 1 extends upwards from the short side of the foot part. The support element is attached to the foot part with a snap-in attachment and extends from the centre of the upper surface of the foot part towards its edges. The support element extends from the centre of the upper surface of the foot part and reaches the furthest towards its edges 4a-b at the top of the support element, but does not fully reach the edges of the foot part and leaves one slot exposed on each side edge of the upper surface of the foot part.

A first glass sheet 10a rests on the left edge of the upper surface of the foot part, and a second glass sheet 10b rests on the right edge of the upper surface of the foot part. The glass sheets are held in place by a rubbery adhesive 9a-b such a silicone and this allows a degree of motion for the edges of the glass sheets. In the untensioned position illustrated in the figure, the glass sheets rest against the outer edges 4a-b of the support element, and this defines the positioning of the glass during mounting. Below the outer edges of the support element, which extend the furthest towards the edges of the foot part at the top of the support element, the support element is provided with a recess 3a-b, which allows the glass to move unhindered towards the support element during a very moderate bending. The elastic silicone is resilient and allows for a degree of motion. Concurrently, both glass sheets rest against the outer edges 4a-b of the support element and thus still sit firmly in place.

With the exception of the ends of the strips and through holes 8a-c, the support strip is closed and typically four such strips are attached to each other forming a frame. In the frame, the open ends are connected to each other and sealed, such that they with the exception of through holes 8a-b form a closed and air tight element.

If the closed double glass window encloses air with water vapour, the vapour may condense on the interior sides of the glass, and this may be hard to remove. If a pressure change occurs outside the window, the pair of glass sheets will contract or be pulled apart and the design of the support strip allows for this. From the space that is delimited by the glass sheets lOa-b, the upper surface of the foot part 2 and the support element 1 , air may pass into the interior of the hollow foot part via two through holes 8a-b. The first through hole 8a extends through the upper surface of the support element and the second through hole 8b extends through the surface of the foot part and into the interior of the foot part. If the pressure increases occurs outside the window, the pair of glass sheets will be pushed together and air from the space between the glass sheets will flow through the first and second through holes 8a-b and into the frame.

The foot part is further provided with a third through hole 8c that extends through the side of the foot par from its interior to its surroundings. If the double glass window with the frame made form support strips constitute part of a wall in an air tight room, and a pressure change between the interior of the room and its surroundings occur, air may thus pass through the three holes 8a-c from the space between the glass sheets to the double glass window's surroundings. In such a way the risk of condensation between the glass sheets is eliminated or reduced.

Fig. 2 shows the support strip according to the invention in detail, with a lower pressure outside the double glass than inside the double glass. The glass sheets here bulge apart from each other to a degree that is not realistic, but is intended to illustrate the principle. Air from the space between the glass sheets will now pass into the space between the glass sheets through the three through holes until pressure equalization has taken place. This air motion in itself increases evaporation of any potential condensation on the inner surfaces of the glass sheets. Despite the lower edges of the glass sheets having moved somewhat inwards and having compressed the silicone somewhat, the edge of the glass sheet still do not reach the bottom of the recess 3a-b in the support element.

Fig. 3 shows the support strip according to the invention in detail, with a higher pressure outside the double glass than inside the double glass. The glass sheets here bulge towards each other to a degree that is not realistic, but is intended to illustrate the principle. Air from the space between the glass sheets will now pass out of the space between the glass sheets through the three through holes until pressure equalization has taken place. This air motion in itself increases evaporation of any potential condensation on the inner surfaces of the glass sheets. Despite the lower edges of the glass sheets having forced the silicone to extend somewhat, the glass sheets still rest solidly on the outer edges 4a-b of the support element.

Fig. 4 shows, in cross section, the double glass mounted on support strips according to the invention, with a lower pressure outside the double glass than inside the double glass. The glass sheets now bulge apart from each other and pull air into the space between the glass sheets. This generates air movement in the air between the glass sheets directed towards the centre of the double glass and this is what is illustrated by the arrows in the figure. The air movement in itself causes any potentially present condensed water to evaporate away faster than it otherwise would have done, and the air movement also gives an exchange of air between the interior of the double glass and its surroundings through the third through hole 8c, such that the difference in water vapour content between the interior of the double glass and its surroundings is being equalized faster than it otherwise would have done.

Fig. 5 shows, in cross section, the double glass mounted on support strips according to the invention, with a higher pressure outside the double glass than inside the double glass. The glass sheets now bulge towards each other and push air out of the space between the glass sheets. This generates air movement in the air between the glass sheets directed away from the centre of the double glass and this is what is illustrated by the arrows in the figure. The air movement in itself causes any potentially present condensed water to evaporate away faster than it otherwise would have done, and the air movement also gives an exchange of air between the interior of the double glass and its surroundings through the third through hole 8c, such that the difference in water vapour content between the interior of the double glass and its surroundings is being equalized faster than it otherwise would have done.

The invention relates to a support strip 1-2 intended to carry to sheets, typically two glass sheets, which form a double glass window, but obviously the sheets may be constituted by other types of transparent or intransparent sheets.

In the presented embodiment, the support element is attached to the foot part with a snap-in attachment, but obviously the support strip 1-2 may be embodied a single solid strip element. In the presented embodiment of the support strip, it comprises a third through hole 8c that sets the space between the glass sheets in communication with the surroundings of the double glass, but this is not necessary. The third through hole 8c may be absent, and the space between the glass sheets is then in communication only with the interior of the frame, but even this allows for a certain degree of air movement. In the presented embodiment of the support strip, it comprises a third through hole 8c only on one side of the support strip, but it may be advantageous with a fourth through hole on the opposite side of the support strip.

In the presented embodiment, the upper surface of the foot part 2 meets the support element 1 , and the support element is suitable during mounting of glass sheets, but it is not absolutely necessary. The outer edges 4a-b of the support element rest against the glass sheets some distance above the outer edges of the glass sheets as this leave an opportunity for the outer edges of the glass sheets to move, but a corresponding freedom to move, albeit somewhat reduced, may be achieved even if the outer edges of the support element reach the glass sheets immediately adjacent their outer edges.