Technical problem

Technical problem to be solved with present invention is loss of time used during assembly of current window or door frames aiming at attaching different side panels - be it either moveable panels such as door or window wing, or fixed panels such as side window. There are many solutions to this available on the market, with common theme of being too modular, i.e. fragmenting frames into several sub-frames or elements used to assemble them.

State of the art

CA2361786 describes a modular window and door assembly that can be custom assembled to provide for varied materials and/or colors between the interior side of the assembly and the exterior side generally includes an inner member forming an interior side of a window frame, window sash or door frame and an outer member forming an exterior side of the window frame, window sash or door frame. The inner and outer members are mechanically coupled together, preferably by a rail and slot arrangement to form the assembly. One of the members includes a longitudinal T-shaped rail and the other member includes a longitudinal slot that cooperates with the T-shaped rail for coupling the inner and outer members together. Thus, the inner and outer members can be made from different materials and/or colors to provide a variety of design choices.

Further, EP2031142 describes a system consisting of wooden elements that comprises modular panels, essentially consisting of two parallel sheets with longitudinal and transverse spacer battens disposed therebetween, said battens being inserted into the edge of the sheets at the top and the bottom thereof and on one side, while part of the corresponding batten projects out from the remaining side in order to be joined by means of a tongue and groove joint, to at least one adjacent lateral panel, a door pre-frame, multiple auxilliary stacked panels and/or a window pre-frame. The system includes a vertical batten which is positioned against the wall with the adjacent positioning of the first panel, a pre-frame and/or auxiliary panels, and also battens anchored to the ground, for fixing of successive panels, using a tongue and groove joint.

Further, Fig. 1 shows current design of a door frame which is very much along the line of CA2361786. Therein one sees vertical frame members in form of a profile (be it plastic or from Aluminum). To this profile another vertical profile s attached, and to this in- between profile, door wing. On the opposite side of the frame yet another vertical profile providing for various thicknesses of side window.

State of the art door frame assembly is shown in Fig. 5 showing fixed panel (8), door wing (9), sealing profile (10), seal (11), main profile (12), adapting profile (13).

While this is description for door wing the same is true for window sash having similar assembly.

Figure 5 shows state of the art as currently found on the market. During closing of doors door wing must seal at the edge, said edge having a seal (11). This seal is pressed against door frame. Said door frame is in state of the art comprised of a main profile (12), and of sealing profile (10). Said main profile (12) is manufactured by profile supplier for various purposes and is a general type of a profile. In order to enable said main profile to be used for purpose of door frame assembly it has to be adapted by use of sealing profile (10). Such adaptation is costly in terms of assembly time and in terms of ability of doors to seal properly. In state of the art as presented in Fig. 5, the seal (11) is attached to the door wing (9). This means that during opening and closing of doors as well as when the doors are in opened position, said seal (11) is exposed and can be damaged during entry of sharp goods through the doors or other circumstances in which something can get in contact with said seal (11). However, main drawback of such system is in plurality of additional elements needed to ensure door frame assembly is assembled in proper manner with said sealing profile (10) attached to main profile (12). In case that fixed panel (8) is required yet additional adapting profile (13) needs to be employed further complicating said door frame assembly. The solution is therefore needed to simplify the process, standardize attachment of both door wing as well as fixed profile, and provide for better sealing with seal attached to the door frame rather to the door wing.

Description of new invention

Technical problem of loss of time used during assembly of current door or window frame assembly aiming at attaching different side panels - be it either moveable panels such as door or window wing, or fixed panels such as side window is solved with novel door or window frame assembly arrangement, wherein there is an universal groove formed in a profile member, said groove having same cross section shape for both receipt of resilient member such as seal to provide for sealing between door wing or window sash and door or window frame assembly, or additional profile in order to secure fixed panels or similar attachments or elements of door or window frame assembly.

Said fixed panels can be elements such as prefabricated walls, fixed windows, glass panes or similar parts of door frame assembly.

This invention relates to a door or window frame assembly arrangement comprising first profile, said first profile having cross section comprising at least one groove, said groove adapted for receiving either second profile or seal, said second profile or seal forming essentially form-locked joint between said first profile, and either one of either second profile or seal, wherein said seal is used for essentially sealing space between closed door wing or window sash and said first profile, and wherein said second profile is used to secure fixed panel forming part of said door or window frame assembly in place.

State of the art does not provide for a single universal profile having a groove which is capable of either receiving of seal to provide for sealing between door wing or window sash and door or window frame assembly, or additional profile in order to secure fixed panels or similar attachments or elements of door or window frame assembly. Such a profile would solve above referenced technical problem and also provide for seal being formed in the door frame rather on door wing as well as provide uniform way of securing fixed panels as part of door or window assembly arrangement.

This invention describes door or window frame assembly arrangement comprising first profile, said first profile having cross section comprising at least two grooves, said grooves adapted for receiving at least one second profile and/or at least one seal, said second profile or seal forming essentially form-locked joint between said first profile, and either one of either second profile or seal, wherein said seal is used for essentially sealing space between closed door wing or window sash and said first profile, and wherein said second profile is used to secure fixed panel forming part of said door or window frame assembly in place.

This invention describes further describes a door or window frame assembly arrangement wherein said first profile comprises at least two grooves having either same or mirrored cross sections.

This invention describes further describes a door or window frame assembly arrangement according to any of previous claims further comprising said second profile or seal being attached to an element chosen from group consisting of: door frame, door wing, window frame, window sash.

This invention describes further describes a door or window frame assembly arrangement according to any of previous claims wherein door wing is seal-less, and said seal is attached to said first profile by means of inserting said seal into said at least one groove of said first profile.

This invention describes a process of assembly of window or door frame arrangement, said process comprising the following steps:

- erecting first profile, said first profile having cross section comprising at least one groove, said groove adapted for receiving either second profile or seal, said second profile or said seal forming essentially form- locked joint between said first profile, and either one of either second profile or seal; - inserting either said second profile or said seal into said groove forming essentially form- locked joint between said first profile, and either one of either second profile or seal.

This invention further describes a process of assembly of window or door frame arrangement wherein said first profile is having cross section comprising at least two grooves having essentially either same or mirrored cross section, each of said grooves adapted for receiving either second profile or said seal forming form-locked joint between said first profile, said process comprising further step of:

- attaching said second profile into one of said grooves, or alternatively,

- attaching said seal into one of said grooves, or alternatively,

- attaching said second profile into one of said grooves, and at least one seal into at least one of remaining grooves, or alternatively,

- attaching said seal into one of said grooves, and at least one second profile into at least one of remaining grooves, or alternatively,

- attaching at least one seal into at least one of said grooves, and at least one second profile into at least one of remaining grooves.

This invention describes a process of assembly of window or door frame arrangement wherein said first profile is having cross section comprising two grooves having essentially either same or mirrored cross section, each of said grooves adapted for receiving either second profile or said seal forming form-locked joint between said first profile, said process comprising further step of attaching said seal into the first of said grooves, and attching said second profile into the second of said grooves.

Below, this invention is further explained with help of figures, said figures forming part of these specifications, as follows

Fig. 1 shows door frame assembly without assembled door wing or fixed panel, with detail X, Fig. 1 showing first profile (1), groove (2), second profile (3), seal (4). Fig. 2 shows door frame assembly with assembled door wing or fixed panel, with said door wing in closed position, with detail Y, Fig. 2 showing first profile (1), groove (2), second profile (3), seal (4), door wing (5), fixed panel (6).

Fig 3. shows cross section of door frame assembly with assembled door wing or fixed panel, said door wing in closed position, Fig. 3 showing first profile (1), groove (2), second profile (3), seal (4), door wing (5), fixed panel (6), fixed panel seals (14, 15).

Fig 4. shows cross section of door frame assembly with assembled door wing or fixed panel, said door wing in opened yet closing position, Fig. 3 showing first profile (1), groove (2), second profile (3), seal (4), door wing (5), fixed panel (6), direction of closing door wing (7).

Fig. 5 shows state of the cross section of door frame assembly with assembled door wing or fixed panel, Fig. 4 showing fixed panel (8), door wing (9), sealing profile (10), seal (11), main profile (12), adapting profile (13).

Fig. 1 shows door frame assembly formed of door wing part and of fixed panel part. It is clear that same system can be used only for door wing part, or fixed panel part, or both, and this invention is not limited in that regard. Door frame assembly in Fig. 1 is comprised of first profile (1) having at least one groove (2) for receiving either second profile (3) or seal (4).

In order to attach said seal (4) in timely and efficient manner, and also in order to replace said seal (4) if such needs being replaced, said seal (4) is attached, preferably essentially form- locked into at least one groove (2) forming part of said first profile (1). This groove (2) is formed in such way that it can accommodate either said seal (4) or additional second profile (3) used for assembling different fixed panels such as, for example, fixed window, panel, pre-assembled wall or other forms of fillers or decorative or other forms of attachments. The advantage of such system is clear from comparing it to Fig. 5 where state of the art door frame assembly is shown.

During opening or closing of door wing (5) in direction of opening or closing (7) said door wing (5) comes to rest by being pressed against a seal (4). As opposed to state of the art, in this case, the seal (4) is attached to first profile (1), said first profile (1) forming part of door frame assembly.

It is advantageous to having seal (4) attached to first profile (1) rather to said door wing (5). Said seal is stationary, and by essentially not protruding into door opening. As such it is not in the way of goods or persons entering or exiting through said door opening, and in this manner out of harm’s way. Further, it is much easier to replace said seal (4) during maintenance if such needs replacement. Said first profile is stationary and said seal can therefore be pressed into said groove (2) without resorting to block doors from moving during said maintenance. Further, from aesthetic point of view, seals on door wing represent design problem, and interfere with doors having completely smooth surface which this invention enables if so desired. Further, this arrangement is advantageous during testing of door sealing as such testing can be completed by pressing smooth surfaced slab against said seal (4) as inserted into said groove (2), and applying light from (for example) portable light source to contact between said slab and said seal (4), and checking whether said light penetrates through said contact between said slab and said seal (4).

It is further advantageous to having grooves with same or mirrored cross sections. This unifies and standardizes assembly elements. Same first profile (1) can be used regardless of whether door frame or window frame assembly is used for fixed panels, door wings, window sashes, and also regardless whether said door wing or window sash is opened into left hand or into right hand fashion. Same line elements (such as second profile (3) or seal (4)) can be used in grooves having same or mirrored cross section because, if mirrored cross section groove is used, the line element can simply be turned upside down to face in different direction as the one used in non-mirrored cross section groove. It is further advantageous to use second profile (3) for assembly of fixed panels. This means that no additional in-between structures such as sealing profiles (10) from state of the art must be employed but said second profile (3) can be used instead by simply applying one of fixed panel seal (14, 15) variety.