Hinge for a roof window and roof window with a set of hinges. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hinge for a roof window with a stationary primary frame having a plurality of frame members including at least two opposing side members, and at least one secondary frame including a sash having a plurality of sash members including at least two opposing side members and optionally an intermediate frame, said hinge being configured to be connected to the primary frame, or to the intermediate frame and to the secondary frame sash to define a hinge axis of the roof window, said hinge comprising a frame hinge part, a sash hinge part, and a movement supporting assembly comprising guiding means configured to allow the sash hinge part to assume an angle relative to the frame hinge part substantially around said hinge axis during an opening movement from a closed position to an open position and during a closing movement from the open position to the closed position, the guiding means comprising a linkage mechanism including at least two links providing connection between the sash hinge part and the frame hinge part, each link being connected to at least one of the frame hinge part and the sash hinge part at a joint and connected to each other, the frame hinge part comprises a base plate defining a hinge plane substantially perpendicular to the hinge axis of the roof window and the sash hinge part comprises a base plate substantially parallel to the base plate of the frame hinge part. The invention furthermore relates to a roof window including a set of hinges.

Background Art

Windows for installation in an inclined roof surface may be provided in a number of varieties and include more or less complicated operational structures to allow opening of the sash and to fulfil other functions, such as ventilation. Such roof windows include the pivoting type hinged at or near the centre, the top-hinged type, and finally the roof windows that are top-hinged during normal operation but which pivot for cleaning. Roof windows of the top- hinged type have a primary hinge axis provided by a top hinge and pivot for cleaning by means of an intermediate frame in which the sash is hinged to provide a secondary hinge axis.

Basically, the hinges in such a window need to fulfil a number of requirements, in particular with regard to the movement pattern required to allow an overlap between the cover members fastened to the frame and the counterpart cover members fastened to the sash to be established in the closed position of the roof window. To improve the user experience, lifting assistance by force transmission to selected parts of the hinge may be provided to assist in particular the opening movement. Furthermore, braking means may be provided to modulate the movement of the sash during opening and closing and/or to render parking of the sash in arbitrary open positions easy and uncomplicated. Typically, one hinge will be located at either side of the roof window to define a substantially horizontal hinge axis.

One very well-proven type of hinge providing the required pattern of movements is the pivot hinge, which includes a guidance on the frame hinge part cooperating with a slide rail on the sash hinge part. Such pivot hinges are for instance disclosed in Applicant’s EP 1 038 083 B1 and EP 1 781 883 B1 and are very versatile as regards operational areas and adaptation of components. Examples of roof windows incorporating such adapted hinges are shown in Applicant’s published European patent applications EP 2 770 146 A1 and EP 2770 149 A1.

However, as an alternative to the traditional pivot hinges in certain fields of application, so-called pantograph hinges are known, in which the desired pattern of movements is provided by a linkage mechanism. The use of hinges including linkage mechanisms is traditionally most often known from the furniture field, but such hinges are also well-known to use for roof windows. Prior art examples include Danish patent No. 114321, US patent No. 4,446,597, and Applicant’s European patents EP 22657 B1 and EP 89813 B1. In a modern update of this so-called pantograph hinge, Applicant’s international published application WO 2017/076416 A1 presents a hinge of the kind mentioned in the introduction.

Although the hinges in the above examples are to some extent capable of providing the kinetic and kinematic performances aimed at, there is still room for improvement.

Summary of Invention

With this background it is an object of the present invention to improve a hinge of the kind mentioned in the introduction with respect to controlling the output forces of the linkage mechanism of the hinge and enabling its relative movement and ease of operability.

This is achieved with a hinge of the kind mentioned in the introduction, which is further characterised in that the at least two links of the linkage mechanism are connected to each other in a bearing axle, that the at least two links comprise a sash link providing connection between the bearing axle and the frame hinge part, and a frame link providing connection between the bearing axle and the sash hinge part, and that at least one of the joints between the links and the frame and sash hinge parts comprises a sliding joint cooperating with a guide track and at least one other joint of said joints is selected from the group comprising a sliding joint and a hinged joint. By forming the links of the linkage mechanism, a more compact and secure connection is achieved between the hinge and the frame and/or sash of the roof window. Therefore, the opening of the roof window may be further facilitated.

By the term “link” it is to be understood an element in the form of a substantially rigid body retaining its shape throughout its motion.

The bearing axle enables a rotational relative movement between the links and is not fixed relative to any of the hinge parts and is thus able to move freely during the opening and closing movements. The links are therefore movable relative to the respective base plates of the hinge parts. In this way, a compact configuration of the hinge is achieved while maintaining suitable degrees of freedom.

In a presently preferred embodiment, the frame link is connected to the sash hinge part in a sliding joint and/or the sash link is connected to the frame hinge part in a sliding joint cooperating with a respective guide track provided in the respective sash hinge part. This configuration enhances operability of the window and control of the force during movement of the sash hinge part and the frame hinge part.

In another presently preferred embodiment, the guide track is provided in the base plate of the respective sash hinge part or frame hinge part. The provision of the guide track in the respective base plate enhances a stable and smooth movement.

In another presently preferred embodiment, one guide track is provided in a respective link of the linkage mechanism.

Other presently preferred embodiments and further advantages will be apparent from the subsequent detailed description and drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

In the following description, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a roof window according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of details of a roof window, including frame and sash side members, in an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view of the frame side member of Fig. 2 and shows a hinge in a first embodiment of the invention;

Figs 4 and 5 are perspective views of the hinge in the first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a view of the hinge of Figs 4 and 5 seen from the above;

Figs 7, 8 and 9 are exploded perspective views of the details of Figs

4 and 5;

Figs 10 to 12 are partial side views showing a roof window in an embodiment of the invention with the hinge of the first embodiment, in three different positions of the sash relative to the frame;

Fig. 13 is a partial perspective view of details of a roof window, including frame and sash side members, in an open position of the sash relative to the frame and with a hinge in a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 14 is a partial perspective view of the frame side member of Fig. 13, including the hinge of the second embodiment of the invention;

Figs 15 and 16 are perspective views of the hinge in the second embodiment of the invention;

Figs 17 and 18 are perspective views of the hinge in another embodiment of the invention;

Figs 19 and 20 are perspective views of the hinge in a further embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the details of the hinge in the further embodiment of the invention shown in Figs 19 and 20;

Figs 22 and 23 are perspective views of the hinge in yet another embodiment of the invention; and

Figs 24 and 25 are perspective views of the hinge in a still yet further embodiment of the invention.

Description of Embodiments

In the following, embodiments of the inventive hinge and roof window will be described in further detail. When referring to the Figures, the terms up, down, upwards, downwards, top and bottom are taken relative to how the figures are displayed. A front view is taken from the hinge and viewing towards the frame. A view from behind is therefore taken as viewed from the frame towards the hinge. A longitudinal direction is, if nothing else is mentioned, longitudinal along the length of a member. It is to be understood that the arrangement shown in a horizontal orientation is not the normal orientation as the window is installed in an inclined roof.

Throughout the description of embodiments, reference will be made to a hinge carrying reference numerals 10; 110; 210; 710; 910; 1010; 1110. The hinge 10 shown in its mounted condition in a roof window is representative for all embodiments, and any one of the hinges 110; 210; 710; 910; 1010; 1110 may thus be put in the place of the hinge 10 shown in Fig. 1. While there may be differences between the embodiments, elements having the same or analogous function are denoted by the same reference numerals to which 100, 200... has been added.

Fig. 1

Initially, reference is made to Fig. 1 in which a roof window according to the invention is shown, including a set of hinges of which one hinge 10 is indicated. The hinge 10 is representative of the hinges of the below embodiments.

In a manner known perse, the window comprises a sash 2 carrying a glazing in the form of a pane 3 and a primary stationary frame 1. The window is intended to be built into a surface, which is inclined with respect to the horizontal, typically a roof, and the window will in the following be referred to as roof window. At a position between the top and centre of the window, there is a hinge connection between the frame 1 and the sash 2. The frame 1 and sash 2 are each formed by four members of which one frame side member 1a and one sash side member 2a are indicated. The sash 2 is openable with respect to the frame 1 , as the sash 2 may be moved from a closed position, in which e.g. the sash side member 2a is substantially parallel with the frame side member 1a, to an open position, in which the sash side member 2a forms an angle with the frame side member 1a. During this movement the sash 2 rotates about a hinge axis a situated at the hinge connection. As indicated in Fig. 1, the hinge axis a is located substantially at a centre axis of the roof window, as seen in the height direction. Other positions of the hinge axis are of course conceivable, for instance further upwards towards the top of the roof window. A corresponding operation of the window as described above and from here on is also true for the type of hinge described in the Applicant’s international application published under WO 2017/076416 A1.

To protect the interior and the components of the window itself and to ascertain weather-proof transition to the surrounding roofing, the roof window comprises a covering, including flashing members (not shown), cladding and covering elements of which a frame side covering element 1b and sash side covering element 2b are shown.

From a closed position, the user operates the operating device of the window. The operating device typically comprises a handle (not shown) connected with the sash bottom member and/or, as a shown here, an operating and locking assembly 4 including a ventilation flap at the sash top member with a lock mechanism to interact with a striking plate on the frame top member. The force, and hence moment, exerted by the user operating the operating device, is transferred to the hinge 10 which in turn exerts a moment on the sash 2, and the moment resulting from the weight of the sash 2 and pane 3 is overcome, along with any frictional forces present. All in all, the opening operation entails that the sash 2 is moved from a closed position to an open position as represented by Fig. 1 , in which the sash plane forms an opening angle with the frame plane. Closing the window from the open position entails the opposite movement of the sash 2. It is possible to position the sash 2 in a number of arbitrary opening positions, in which the sash 2 is held stable relative to the frame 1. The sash 2 is also able to be rotated to allow cleaning of the outside of the pane 3 from the inside of the building in which the roof window is installed. Depending on the position of the hinge axis in the window, the sash 2 may be rotated substantially through 180°.

Figs 2 to 12

Referring now first to Figs 2 to 9, a first embodiment of a hinge 110 according to the invention will be described in detail.

In Figs 2 and 3, the hinge 110 is shown in a position corresponding to a closed position of the sash 2 relative to the frame 1. The roof window is represented by frame side member 1a and sash side member 2a in Fig. 2, and by only the frame side member 1a in Fig. 3, while other parts of the roof window have been omitted for ease of reading. The hinge 110 comprises a frame hinge part 130 and a sash hinge part 140 configured to assume an angle relative to the frame hinge part 130. The hinge 110 forms part of a set of hinges, of which the frame hinge part 130 of each hinge 110 is configured to be connected to the frame side member 1a of the frame 1 of the roof window in a mounted condition, at a location chosen to provide the desired position of the hinge axis a, and the sash hinge part 140 is correspondingly configured to be connected to the sash side member 2a.

Turning now to Figs 4 and 5, a base plate 131 of the frame hinge part 130 defines a hinge plane substantially perpendicular to the hinge axis a of the window in the mounted condition of the hinge, and a base plate 141 of the sash hinge part 140 being is substantially parallel to the base plate 131 of the frame hinge part 130. The frame hinge part 130 has a receiver element 132 coupled to the base plate 131, the function of which will be described further below, and a distance piece 142 to keep the base plate 131 at an appropriate position relative to the frame side member 1a.

The frame hinge part 130 and the sash hinge part 140 comprise fastening means which can be for example pins or spigots 133, 143, or any type of threaded fastening means, for fastening to the frame side member 1 a and sash side member 2a, respectively. The spigots 133, 143 are fixed on the receiver element 132 and the base plate 141 of the sash hinge part 140, respectively, such that sash-side spigots 143 protrude through the distance piece 142. The receiver element 132 is fastened to the frame side member 1a either in the supply condition or in a first step of installation, and the remaining components of the hinge 110 including the base plate 131 of the frame hinge part 130 are all connected to the sash 2.

Due to the configuration of the hinge 110, the sash link 150 and the frame link 160 are provided connected with each other by means of the bearing axle 155, and thus form a coherent structure constituting the “remaining components of the hinge 110”.

Following correct positioning of the remaining components of the hinge 110 relative to the frame side member 1a with the receiver element 132, the base plate 131 of the frame hinge part 130 is brought into connection with the receiver element 132 in that a base plate rivet 131a is brought into engagement with a receiver element slot 132a. The frame hinge part 130 and the sash hinge part 140 are furthermore provided with holding clips 134, 144 for connecting the covering elements 1 b, 2b of the frame and sash side members 1 a, 2a.

It is noted that during the entire opening and closure movement, the respective planes of the base plates 131, 141 of the frame hinge part 130 and the sash hinge part 140 are at all times kept substantially parallel, thus avoiding transverse movements perpendicular to the hinge plane as defined by the base plates 131, 141.

In order to render the necessary movement between the parts of the hinge possible, each hinge comprises a movement supporting assembly. The movement supporting assembly comprises guiding means configured to allow the sash hinge part 140 to assume an angle relative to the frame hinge part 130 substantially around the hinge axis a during an opening movement from a closed position to an open position and during a closing movement from the open position to the closed position. In the type of hinge according to the invention, the guiding means comprise a linkage mechanism including at least two links 150, 160 providing connection between the sash hinge part 140 and the frame hinge part 130, and each link is connected to at least one of the frame hinge part and the sash hinge part at a joint and connected to each other as will be described in the following for the first embodiment.

According to the invention, the linkage mechanism comprises two links, namely a sash link 150 and a frame link 160 providing connection between the sash hinge part 140 and the frame hinge part 130.

The frame link 160 is connected to the sash hinge part 140 in a sliding joint 162. The sliding joint 162 cooperates with a guide track 145. Here, the guide track 145 is provided in the sash hinge part 140, more specifically in the base plate 141 of the sash hinge part 140. The sliding joint may in principle comprise a pin or an axle, but is here formed as a sliding block 163. The sliding block 163 is connected to an engagement part 164. Suitable materials of the components of the sliding joint, and of other components of the hinge, are given in Applicant’s above-mentioned WO 2017/076416 A1. The sliding connection may also include a pin and/or an axle, either alone or in combination with the sliding block.

The sash link 150 is connected to the frame hinge part 130 by means of an additional link 165 via a hinged joint 153. In turn, the additional link 165 is connected to the frame hinge part 130 at a hinged joint 166 located eccentrically relative to the hinged joint 153 forming the connection between the sash link 150 and the additional link 165.

The sash link 150 and the frame link 160 are connected to each other in a bearing axle 155.

Furthermore, the frame link 160 is connected to the frame hinge part 130 in a hinged joint 161, and the sash link 150 is connected to the sash hinge part 140 in a hinged joint 151.

A force transmission device 170 is provided for exerting lifting assistance to the movement of the sash 2 relative to the frame 1 during opening of the roof window in the mounted condition of the hinge 110. The force transmission device 170 is provided with biasing means, which in general may be selected from the group comprising leaf springs, torsion springs and tension/compression springs. In the embodiment shown, the biasing means is a tension spring 172. The tension spring 172 is connected to the base plate 141 of the sash hinge part 140 and acts on a pick-up 171 connected to the sash hinge part 140 in a hinged joint 173 such that the pick up 171 acts on the sliding joint 162, at the engagement part 164 thereof.

Finally, the hinge 110 comprises a braking device 180 acting on an element of the movement supporting assembly over a part of the opening and/or closing movement. In its most simple form, the braking device 180 comprises a friction element configured to provide a frictional force on a link of the linkage mechanism and/or at a joint between the linkage mechanism and the frame hinge part.

In the shown first embodiment, the braking device 180 comprises a friction element in the form of a friction disc 181, biased by a plate spring 182 acting on the sash link 150 via a washer 183. The friction disc 181 is provided between the sash link 150 and the additional link 165. The friction disc 181 is made of a suitable material which is able to apply a braking force on the sash link 150 and consequently on the entire linkage mechanism. The person skilled in the art is aware of materials which are able to withstand wear over long periods of time, for instance suitable plastic materials.

Turning now to Figs 10 to 12, a sequence of positions during the opening movement of the hinge 110 and thus of the sash 2 relative to the frame 1 of the entire roof window is shown.

From the closed position shown in Fig. 10, the sash 2 is rotated relative to the frame 1 when the user operates the operating device. The particular movement pattern of the linkage mechanism of the guiding means ensures that the sash side covering element 2b moves out of engagement with the frame side covering element 1b without conflict into an open position as represented by Fig. 11 or Fig. 12. The force transmission device 170 assists during the lifting operation, and the braking device 180 is configured such that it modulates the movement of the sash hinge part 140 relative to the frame hinge part 130, and thus of the entire sash 2 relative to the frame 1 in order to keep any exaggerated movement in check.

Figs 13 to 16

Turning now to the remaining Figures of the drawings, it is again noted that elements having the same or analogous function are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, to which 100, 200... has been added. Only differences will be described in detail.

In a second embodiment, the force transmission device 270 of the hinge 210 comprises a pick-up 271 connected to the sash hinge part 240 in a hinged joint 273 and configured to act on the sliding joint 262 via a separate pick-up link 274. This provides for an alternative set-up of the force transmission device 270.

Figs 17 to 18

In an alternative embodiment, a guide track 752 is provided in the sash link 750, and the sliding joint 735 is provided on the frame hinge part 730 of the hinge 710. The friction element of the braking device 780 comprises two squeeze blocks 781, 782. The squeeze blocks 781, 782 are provided in connection with the sliding joint 735 and interact with the sash link 750 at the guide track 752 therein. Alternatively, a single squeeze block may be provided. The provision of squeeze blocks has proven to function well as an alternative braking solution.

A leaf spring 772 acts directly on the sliding joint 762. Specifically, the leaf spring 772 acts on the engagement part 764 connected to the sliding block 763 of the sliding joint 762. The leaf spring 772 is formed substantially as an S-shaped hook.

The force transmission device 770 comprises an engagement portion 772a of the leaf spring 772, as well as a first fastening protrusion 775a and a second fastening protrusion 775 b. The leaf spring 772 attaches to the two protrusions 775a and 775b.

Figs 19 to 21

In a still further embodiment shown in Figs 19-21, the force transmission device 970 is biased by two leaf springs 972a, 972b, positioned oppositely. A protrusion 975 is comprised at an end of each leaf spring 972a, 972b.

The frame link 960 is connected to the frame hinge part 930 in a hinged joint 961. The sash link 950 is connected to the sash hinge part 940 in a hinged joint 951.

A guide track 952, 967 is provided in the sash link 950 and the frame link 960, respectively. A sliding joint 935 is provided on the frame hinge part 930 and the sash hinge part 940.

Figs 22 to 23

In an alternative embodiment, two guide tracks 1045, 1036 are provided on the sash hinge part 1040 and the frame hinge part 1030. Each of the tracks 1045, 1036 comprises a curved portion.

The sash link 1050 comprises a hinged joint 1051 and a sliding joint 1056. The two links 1050, 1060 of the linkage mechanism are connected to each other in the bearing axle 1055. The sliding joints 1056, 1062 cooperate with the guide tracks 1036, 1045.

The force transmission device 1070 is biased by the spring 1072. An additional link 1065 is connected with the frame link 1060. The force transmission device 1070 comprises a pick-up 1071 connected to the frame hinge part, which is configured to act on the sliding joint 1062.

Figs 24 to 25

In a still further embodiment, two guide tracks 1145, 1136 are provided on the sash hinge part 1140 and the frame hinge part 1130. Each of the tracks 1145, 1136 comprises a curved portion.

The two links 1150, 1160 of the linkage mechanism are connected to each other in the bearing axle 1155. The sash link 1150 comprises a hinged joint 1151 and a sliding joint 1156. The sliding joints 1156, 1162 cooperate with the guide tracks 1136, 1145.

In this embodiment, the two links 1150, 1160 have a substantially triangular shape. Each guide track thus comprises at least two portions forming an angle relative to each other, for instance an angle of 135° to 170° relative to each other

Non-shown embodiments

The hinge of the embodiments described in the above is also applicable in roof windows which are top-hinged during normal operation and which pivots for cleaning. It is understood that in such a roof window, the stationary frame 1 constitutes a primary frame, and the sash 2 functions as a first secondary frame and an intermediate frame functions as a second secondary frame. The intermediate frame is fastened to the stationary frame at a top mounting fitting and the sash is hinged at the top of the roof window, via the intermediate frame to the stationary frame, to render the roof window top-hinged during normal operation. The sash is also pivotally connected to the intermediate frame in order to be able to rotate the sash to provide access to the exterior of the pane, for instance for cleaning purposes. To that end, the intermediate frame is provided with a frame hinge part of the hinge and the sash with the counterpart sash hinge part.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and described in the above, but various modifications and combinations may be carried out.

List of reference numerals

1 frame

1a frame side member 1 b frame side covering element

2 sash

2a sash side member 2b sash side covering element

3 pane

4 operating and locking assembly a hinge axis

10 hinge

110 hinge

130 frame hinge part

131 base plate 131a base plate rivet

132 receiver element 132a receiver element slot

133 spigot

134 holding clip

140 sash hinge part

141 base plate

142 distance piece

143 spigot

144 holding clip

145 guide track

150 sash link

151 hinged joint (to base plate 141 )

153 hinged joint (to additional link 165)

155 bearing axle

160 frame link

161 hinged joint (to base plate 131 )

162 sliding joint (to guide track 145)

163 sliding block

164 engagement part

165 additional link

166 hinged joint of friction link 165 (to base plate 131 ) 170 force transmission device 171 pick-up

172 spring

173 hinged joint braking device

181 friction disc

182 plate spring

183 washer hinge frame hinge part sash hinge part 245 guide track sash link

251 hinged joint bearing axle frame link

261 hinged joint (to base plate 231 )

262 sliding joint (to guide track 245)

263 sliding block force transmission device

271 pick-up

272 spring

273 hinged joint

274 pick-up link braking device hinge frame hinge part 735 sliding joint sash hinge part 745 guide track sash link

751 hinged joint

752 guide track (to sliding joint 735) 755 bearing axle

760 frame link

761 hinged joint

762 sliding joint (to guide track 745)

763 sliding block

764 engagement part

770 force transmission device 772 leaf spring

772a engagement portion of leaf spring 775a first fastening protrusion 775b second fastening protrusion

780 braking device

781 first squeeze block

782 second squeeze block

910 hinge

930 frame hinge part 935 sliding joint

940 sash hinge part 946 sliding joint

950 sash link

951 hinged joint

952 guide track (to sliding joint 935)

955 bearing axle

960 frame link

961 hinged joint

967 guide track (to sliding joint 946)

970 force transmission device 972a leaf spring 972b leaf spring 975 protrusion

1010 hinge

1030 frame hinge part 1036 guide track 1040 sash hinge part 1045 guide track

1050 sash link

1051 hinged joint

1056 sliding joint (to guide track 1036) 1055 bearing axle

1060 frame link

1061 hinged joint

1062 sliding joint (to guide track 1045) 1065 additional link

1070 force transmission device

1071 pick-up

1072 spring

1073 hinged joint

1110 hinge

1130 frame hinge part 1136 guide track

1140 sash hinge part 1145 guide track

1150 sash link

1151 hinged joint

1156 sliding joint (to guide track 1136) 1155 bearing axle

1160 frame link

1161 hinged joint

1162 sliding joint (to guide track 1145)