TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and a device for dismounting mouldings, preferably window mouldings, snappable onto a frame and a method for manufacturing the device.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

The modern construction technique has resulted in an increased use of light metals in the constructions, e.g. in window frames. A window consists of a frame with grooves into which the glass is placed and fixed by means of mouldings, which cover all around the edges of the glass over the grooves. The moulding can be screwed firmly onto the frame or, in modern windows, it is snapped in a recess in the frame.

A problem with the later mentioned operation is the dismounting the moulding. At present, screwdrivers or chisels are used to dismount the moulding, which cause damages on the frame and the moulding, specially, when these surfaces are painted.

EP-A1-158162 shows a pliers to dismount the lid of a can or the like. The pliers has a first curved pointed jaw and a holding part extending towards the jaw portion on the other jaw. The pointed jaw is inserted under the lid edge and the holder part is pressed firmly above the lid, which by pulling movement is bent and disassembled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a device

for dismounting mouldings, preferably window mouldings, door mouldings or the like. The device can be manufactured with little cost, for example by modifying conventional tongs. The device must be ergonomically designed to simplify the work.

These objects are achieved by means of a device comprising two parts, movable in relation to each other, which form a jaw portion, consisting of a first and a second shank, the first shank of the first part being arranged with a support or holding means, which is movable in relation to the shank, and that the second shank of the second part is arranged with a tip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings, which show an embodiment, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a device for dismounting mouldings, according to the present invention, hereinafter called "moulding tongs". The dashed line shows the jaws of the moulding tongs in a second open position. Fig. la is an enlargement of the encircled part according to fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is an operation step for dismounting a moulding, shown in cross section, by means of moulding tongs, according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of moulding tongs 10 according to the invention. The moulding tongs 10 consists of two main parts 11 and 12, which are radially movable in relation to each other and rotate about a pivot 17. The main parts

terminate in a jaw portion 19, consisting of a first shank 13 of the first part 11 and a second shank 14 of the second part 12. The first shank 13 ends in a member 15, arranged movable in respect of the shank 13, for example by means of a second pivot 18. The second shank 14 is provided with a wedge-shaped tip 16.

Said main parts 11 and 12 end in their other end in a handle portion 21. The handle portion of the main part 12, is formed slightly curved and it is connected to the shank 14 through a neck portion 22, which is slightly wider than the shank 14 and the handle 23. In the neck portion 22, a slit 20 extending along the neck portion 22 is provided. The slit 20 consists of a number of circular holes 28, partly communicating with each other, which at the communicating areas form tapering sections 27.

The pivot 17 is arranged with a neck portion 24, shown in the enlargement in fig. la with dashed lines, arranged with two straight sides 25 and two partly curved sides 26. The distance between the straight sides 26 is somewhat shorter than the distance between the tapering sections 27 of the slit 20. The diameter of the curved sides 26 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the circular holes 28 of the slit. By displacing the main part 11 in slit 20, the distance between the shanks 13 and 14 can be varied. When displacing, the main parts 11 and 12 are rotated in relation to each other so that the straight sides 25 of the neck 24 of the pivot can pass through the tapering sections 27 of the slit 20. By turning the main parts 11 and 12 back in any one of the circular holes 28, the main parts are prevented to be displaced axially in relation to each other. Axial displacement of the main part 12 is shown by means of dashed lines in fig. 1.

Also, the main part 11 is arranged with a handle portion 29,

shaped slightly curved and connected to the shank 13 via a neck portion.

The moulding tongs 10 according to fig. 1 is designed as an adjustable pliers, but other shapes with respect to the field of the application may occur.

Fig. 2 shows how the moulding tongs 10 are used to dismount a moulding 30. The figure shows a cross-section through a part of a window frame 31, made of a light metal, such as aluminium or the like.

The window frame 31 is arranged with holding means 32, a recess 33 and lap 34. The recess 33 is provided with projections 36a and 36b. The moulding 30, being preferably U-shaped with elastic shanks, is arranged with hooks 37a and 37b. On the moulding 30 and the contact surface 34 insulation and protective material 35, for example of rubber is attached.

A pane of glass 39 or a package including one or more panes is placed in the holding part 32 and supported by the laps 34, extending around the frame 31, then the moulding 30 is snapped in the recess 33, first by inserting the hook 37a under the projection 36a and then pressing the hook 37b under the projection 36b. During the snapping operation the glass 39 protected by the protective material 35.

Dismounting the moulding 30 by pressing it in the direction of the lap 34 is easy, when the glass 39 is not installed in the frame 31. When the glass 39 is mounted, a pair of tongs according to the present invention must be used. When dismounting the moulding 30, the supporting means 15 is placed on the moulding, according to fig. 2. The inner side of the supporting means can be provided with a protective coating 38, for example of rubber.

As the moulding tongs and the support means 15 are arranged pivotally in relation to each other, the said tongs can be relocated so that the tip 16 is placed in the gap between the moulding 30 and the frame 31. By pressing the moulding 30 in the direction of the glass 39 the gap between the moulding 30 and the frame 31 can be expanded, to facilitate the insertion of the tip 15 between the moulding 30 and the frame 31. Usually, the insulation/protective material 35 is removed from the moulding to simplify the insertion of the tip under the moulding. Then the moulding can be manually slightly forced in the direction towards the glass 39 to provide a wider opening between the moulding and the frame so that the tip can be inserted easier.

When the tip 16 is once inserted under the moulding, the shanks 13 and 14 are pulled back, by pressing the handles 23 and 29 towards each other, whereby the moulding 30 is secured between the holder means 15 and the tip 16. By removing the handle portion 21 of the tongs in the direction of the glass 39, the jaw portion 19 rotates about the pivot 18 and provides a lever, whereby the tip 16 pulls up one side of the moulding so that the interlocking between the projection 36b and the hook 37b ceases and the moulding 30 can be removed from the frame 31.

Typically, the moulding is provided with a pocket 40, in which the tip 16 can interfere. The tip 16 can also be provided with friction surfaces (not shown) to increase the contact between the tip and the lower surface of the moulding.

If the moulding tongs 10 are provided with a slit 20, the distance between the jaws is adjusted and adapted to different moulding dimensions. By forming the handles according to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the displacement towards the glass is simplified, since there

will be room for the hand between the pane and the handle. The tip 16 can be arranged replaceable, to be able to change it because of wearing out or to adapt it to different material and gaps. The support/holder means 15 may also be arranged replaceable, by using a detachable pivot 18. Preferably, the support/holder means 15 may be provided U-formed, which is placed on the moulding to provide a better grip of it.

The moulding tongs according to the present invention can be made of tools, existing on the market, such as adjustable pliers, pipe tongs or the like. The manufacturing is done by sharpening the jaws of the pipe tong to a wedge-shaped tip. A part of the second jaw is then cut off and provided with a hole, so that it can be arranged with holder/support means through a pivot. Finally, the handles are curved to a desired shape through heating or the like.

The tongs may be made of any withstanding material, such as steel, aluminum, reinforced plastics or the like.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the described and shown embodiment and other embodiments within the scoop of the claims may occur.

Designation numeral

10 moulding tongs

11 first main part

12 second main part

13 first shank

14 second shank

15 holder/support means

16 tip

17 pivot

18 pivot

19 jaw portion

20 slit

21 handle portion

22 neck portion

23 lever

24 pivot neck

25 straight side

26 curved side

27 tapering area

28 hole

29 handle

30 moulding

31 arm

32 holding means

33 recess

34 lap

35 insolation material

36a,b projection

37a,b hook

38 protective surface

39 glass

40 pocket