FRAME WITH INTEGRATED VENTILATION The invention relates to a frame for a window comprising a head of frame, a sill of frame, a curtain which can extend between the head and the sill on the inner side of the frame, wherein the curtain is displaceable into a position substantially covering the window and a position substantially leaving the window clear, and wherein in the opened position the curtain is substantially received into the frame.

Such a frame according to the invention provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance and moreover has the advantage that after fitting of the frame no additional provisions have to be made for hanging a curtain. This has the effect of saving time, for instance during the renovation of buildings.

In a preferred embodiment of a frame according to the invention the curtain is a raisable blind and in the raised position is substantially received in the head of frame. The blind can herein be at least partially air permeable.

It is important for the indoor climate of a space that there is sufficient ventilation. In old buildings it may occur that ventilation no longer comes up to requirements. If such a building is renovated, window frames can then be applied with an integrated ventilation. This integrated ventilation can consist of a grating arranged on the top of the window-pane in the frame or in the head of the frame.

In order to further improve the indoor climate a cooling device can be provided to prevent warming of the indoor space as a consequence of incident solar radiation.

However, such cooling devices entail high costs.

In a preferred embodiment the invention provides a frame with which ventilation is possible and warming as a consequence of incident sunlight is limited.

This is achieved according to the invention with a frame wherein at least in the head of frame there are arranged first ventilating means comprising a first opening debouching on the outer side of the frame, a second opening debouching on the inner side of the frame, a third opening debouching in the space between the curtain and a pane placeable in the frame, and valve means for opening and closing the openings.

The valve means make it possible to allow outside air to flow to the inside via the first and second openings, and to further discharge air which is heated between the panes and the curtain to either the outside or the inside via the third opening.

In an embodiment of the frame wherein the curtain is a raisable blind and in the raised position is substantially received in the head of frame, this has the advantage that the connection of the top part of the blind onto the third opening is good and that no leakage can therefore occur.

In a preferred embodiment of the frame according to the invention, second ventilating means are arranged in the sill of frame, which comprise a fourth opening debouching on the outer side of the frame, a fifth opening debouching on the inner side of the frame, a sixth opening debouching in the space between the curtain and a pane placeable in the frame, and valve means for opening and closing the openings.

With such a frame it becomes possible to have fresh outside air warmed between the curtain and the pane and, as desired, then have it discharged to the outside again or discharged to the inside. In the first situation this is advantageous if the space is further cooled by a cooling device. The second situation has the advantage that when an indoor space is heated the inflowing fresh air does not result in heating losses.

In the embodiment of the frame according to the invention wherein the curtain is at least partially air permeable, the heat in the curtain can also be discharged in that the air can flow through the curtain.

In yet another embodiment of a frame according to the invention, at least one of the first and second ventilating means comprises a fan. Such'a fan can be driven by a solar panel. Such a fan can enhance the natural air flow resulting from convection.

These and other features are further elucidated with reference to the annexed drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view with partly cut- away parts of a first embodiment of a frame according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows the frame of figure 1 in cross- section and in different positions.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of a frame according to the invention in different positions.

Figure 1 shows frame 1 according to the invention.

A window-pane 2 is arranged in frame 1. Ventilation openings 4 and 6 are arranged in respectively the head of frame 3 and the sill of frame 5.

Figures 2a to 2f show cross-sections of the frame 1 according to figure 1.

A roller blind 7 is integrated into head of frame 3. Further arranged in head 3 is a valve 8 which connects to each other the first opening 4 on the outer side of the frame, the second opening 9 on the inner side of the frame and a third opening 10. This third opening 10 debouches between the pane 2 and the blind 7.

Provided on the underside is a second valve 11 which connects to each other a fourth opening 6 on the outer side of frame 1, a fifth opening 12 on the inner side of the frame and a sixth opening 13.

In figure 2a the first valve 8 is closed and the second valve 11 is placed in a position such that the second opening 12 is connected to the third opening 13.

In figure 2b the first valve 8 is rotated such that it connects the first opening 4 to the second opening 9.

Fresh air from outside can thus flow to the inside, or vice versa.

In figure 2c the first valve 8 is placed in a position wherein the third opening 10 is connected to the second opening 9. Incident sunlight Z heats the air between blind 7 and pane 2, whereby a natural convection flow is created. The air thus flows to the inside via the fifth opening 12, is then heated in the space between blind 7 and pane 2, whereafter it flows back into the space via second opening 9. A warming of the inside air thus takes place while a blind is lowered.

In figure 2d the first valve 8 is placed in a position wherein the third opening 10 is connected to the first opening 4. Air warmed in the space between blind 7 and pane 2 is thus discharged to the outside via the first opening 4. The radiant heat of sunlight Z is thus prevented from penetrating into the space.

In figure 2e the first valve 8 is placed in the same position as in figure 2c, and the second valve 11 is placed in a position wherein the fourth opening 6 connects to the sixth opening 13. Fresh inside air thus flows into the space between blind 7 and pane 2, where this air is warmed as a result of sunlight Z. This warmed air then flows via the second opening 9 into the space. Fresh air is thus first heated before it flows into a space. This is a particular advantage in the winter months.

In figure 2f the first valve 8 is placed in the position corresponding to figure 2d. The second valve 11 is adjusted such that the fourth opening 6 is connected to the sixth opening 13. Outside air is then warmed and subsequently discharged again to the outside. The temperature of the inside air is thus not influenced and radiant heat resulting from sunlight Z is discharged.

Figures 3a to 3d show a second embodiment 20 of a frame according to the invention. Parts corresponding with the first embodiment 1 are designated with the same reference numeral.

In contrast to the first embodiment 1, the sill 5 in this second embodiment 20 is embodied as a closed space.

On the underside of blind 7 is arranged a beam 21 along which air can flow. Blind 7 can optionally be given a porous form so that air can also flow through the blind itself.

In figure 3a the valve 8 is placed in a closed position. In figure 3b this valve is placed such that it connects the first opening 4 to the second opening 9. Air from outside can thus flow inside, and vice versa. In figure 3c the valve 8 is placed such that the third opening 10 is connected to the second opening 9. Incident sunlight Z warms the air between blind 7 and pane 2, whereby a convection flow is created. Air is hereby carried along the lower beam 21 of blind 7, warmed in the space between blind 7 and pane 2 and then admitted once again into the inside space via opening 9.

In figure 3d the valve 8 is displaced such that the third opening 10 is connected to the first opening 4. The warmed air is thus discharged to the outside. Such a position is particularly advantageous in the summer months.