A tilting window of this type is generally known and is marketed, for example, by Velux.

One drawback of the known tilting window is that the closure element for ventilation via the ventilation passage in the closed position of the tiltable frame can only be placed in one ventilation position. Since the flow rate of the ventilation airflow is dependent on the difference in air pressure between the two ends of the ventilation passage, if the difference in air pressures is low the flow of ventilating air will be relatively low, whereas if the difference in air pressures is high the flow of ventilation air will be relatively high. Since in particular the latter may be uncomfortable, for example in the event of a strong wind in winter, the cross-sectional area of the ventilation passage in the known tilting window is limited, and there are sometimes flow-inhibiting means. The result of this is that when the difference in air pressures is low, the flow of ventilation air will be undesirably low.

Therefore, with the known tilting window it is not possible to obtain a comfortable flow of ventilation air over a relatively wide range of differences in air pressure across the tilting window.

It should be noted that WO 03/001017 has disclosed a tilting window of the type described above, in which a relatively small circular ventilation opening is provided, in which there is arranged a circular rotary flap. The circular rotary flap comprises two bodies in disc form which are each provided with openings. Aligning the openings opens up a small ventilation passage. The cross section of the maximum openings in a rotary flap of this type are too small to obtain a comfortable ventilation flow even when there is a low difference in air pressures between the inlet side and outlet aide of the ventilation device.

The object of the invention is to provide a tilting window which does not have the abovementioned drawback.

This object is achieved by a tilting window in accordance with the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the tilting window is provided with control means which can be used to control a flow rate of an airflow passing through the ventilation passage.

By providing control means, it is possible to influence the flow of air through the ventilation passage in such a manner that a comfortable flow of ventilation air can be obtained with both a low and a high difference in air pressure between the two sides of the tilting window.

The control means can preferably be set in a plurality of open positions, preferably continuously, between a substantially completely closed position, in which the ventilation passage is substantially closed, and a substantially completely open position, in which the ventilation passage is substantially open to its maximum extent. With control means which can be set to a plurality of positions, preferably four or more positions, more preferably in a continuously variable manner, it is possible to obtain a comfortable flow of ventilation air with a large number of pressure differences.

The control means may, for example, comprise a hinged ventilation flap, a sliding grating or the like. It is also possible for the control means to enable the closure element to be placed in a plurality of open positions.

In the closed position, the control means advantageously take up at most half, more preferably at most a quarter, of the cross section of the ventilation passage. It is even more preferable for the control means, in the closed position, to occupy at most one tenth of the cross section of the ventilation passage. The cross section of the ventilation passage in this context is the dimension of the cross section in the plane perpendicular to the

direction in which the air flows through the ventilation passage.

It is advantageous for the ventilation opening to be elongate in the plane perpendicular to the direction in which air flows through, with the height of the ventilation opening being smaller than its width. The height of the ventilation opening is in this case preferably 3-8 centimetres. Furthermore, it is preferable for the ventilation opening to extend over at least a quarter, more preferably at least half, of the width of the tiltable frame. In a preferred embodiment, the ventilation opening in the frame extends over virtually the entire width of the frame, in which case the width of the ventilation opening substantially corresponds to the width of the window pane arranged in the frame.

In one possible embodiment, the ventilation opening may be composed of a plurality of smaller ventilation openings which are arranged next to one another. A group of smaller ventilation openings of this type is also considered as a single ventilation opening extending over the width in the context of the present application.

It is advantageous for the minimum surface area of the cross section of the ventilation passage to be at least a quarter, preferably at least half, the surface area of the cross section of the ventilation opening.

An embodiment of the ventilation opening and the ventilation passage of this type ensures that a sufficient flow of ventilation air to allow comfortable ventilation is obtained even with a low difference in the air pressures.

In a preferred embodiment, the control means comprise a hinged ventilation flap which extends substantially across the width of the ventilation passage, which ventilation flap can be placed in a closed position, in which the ventilation passage is substantially closed, and at least two open positions, in which the ventilation passage is completely or partially open. The

ventilation flap is preferably elongate, in such a manner that in the closed position it substantially closes off the elongate ventilation passage. It is preferable for the hinge axis of the hinged flap to run substantially parallel to the width direction of the ventilation opening. It is advantageous for the hinged ventilation flap to be arranged in the ventilation passage.

In one embodiment, the ventilation flap may be composed of a plurality of separate parts and/or may comprise a plurality of individual parts placed next to one another.

It is preferable for the tilting window to comprise a protective cap, which protective cap extends on an outer side of the tilting frame over the ventilation opening, the protective cap having an air inlet which, in a fitted position of the tilting window, is located on the low side of the protective cap, the ventilation passage running in part through the protective cap.

The protective cap is preferably secured to the casing of the tilting window. A protective cap of this type can be used to protect the ventilation opening from the ingress of precipitation, for example rain, the protective cap also comprising ah air inlet for admitting the flow of ventilation air.

It is advantageous for the protective cap to comprise one or more profiled sections, at least a portion of which, on one and/or two sides of the ventilation passage, at least partially delimit the ventilation passage. The provision of a number of profiled sections which delimit the ventilation passage make it possible to obtain a relatively calm flow of air in the ventilation passage. A calm flow of air of this type increases the flow rate for a defined difference in air pressures, with the result that, in particular with relatively low differences in air pressure, it becomes more readily possible to obtain a comfortable flow of air.

It is preferable for the tilting window to comprise a water- collection cavity which is designed to collect in particular water which backs up over the window, in such a manner that this

water does not enter the ventilation passage.

The invention also relates to control means which are clearly intended for a tilting window according to one or more of claims 1-19 and to a protective cap which is clearly intended for a tilting window according to one or more of claims 1-19. In certain embodiments of control means of this type and if appropriate a protective cap of this type, it is possible for the known tilting window in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 to be adapted to produce a tilting window according to the invention.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of the description of a preferred embodiment of a tilting window according to the invention which is shown in the appended drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows a vertical cross section through a first embodiment of the region of a tilting window which comprises a ventilation passage.

Figure 1 shows the top part of a tilting window 1 according to the invention. The tilting window is denoted overall by reference numeral 1 and comprises a casing 2 and a tiltable frame 3. The tiltable frame 3 is hingedly connected to the casing 2, for example in the centre of the casing 2, and can be displaced from a closed position, in which the tilting window 1 is closed, to one or more open positions, in which the tilting window 1 is open and as a result fresh air can enter the room in which the tilting window 1 is placed through the window.

Figure 1 shows the tiltable frame 3 in its closed position.

The tiltable frame 3 is provided with a window pane 4 which is fixed to the tiltable frame 3 by a securing element 5. The casing 2 and the tiltable frame 3 are provided with sealing profiled sections 6, so that the space between the casing 2 and the tiltable frame 3 is substantially sealed against any flow of air between the casing 2 and the tiltable frame 3.

A ventilation opening 7a is arranged in the tiltable frame 3, which ventilation opening 7a forms part of a ventilation passage 7 which extends from one side of the tilting window 1 to the other, so that in the closed position of the tiltable frame 3 it is possible for a flow of air to pass from one side of the tilting window 1 to the other, in order to ventilate in this way the room in which the tilting window 1 is installed, even when the tilting window 1 itself is closed. The ventilation opening 7a extends substantially over virtually the entire width of the frame 3, i. e. in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing shown in Figure 1. Consequently, the width of the ventilation opening 7a will substantially correspond to the width of the window pane which is arranged in the frame.

In an alternative embodiment, it is possible for the ventilation opening 7a to extend only over a portion of the width of the frame 3. However, in order still to obtain a sufficient flow of ventilation air through the ventilation passage 7 even when the differences in air pressure across the outside wall are low, the width of the ventilation opening is preferably at least a quarter of the width of the frame 3, more preferably at least half the width of the frame 3.

Furthermore, the tiltable frame 3 comprises a closure element 8 which is hingedly connected to the tiltable frame 3. This closure element 8 has two functions. A first function is to lock the tiltable frame 3 in the closed position in the casing 2. A second function of the closure element 8 is to close off the ventilation passage. To perform these two functions, the closure element 8 can be placed in three positions. In a first position, the surface of the closure element 8 bears against an end of the ventilation opening 7a so as to close off the ventilation passage 7. In this position, the tiltable frame 3 is also locked in the casing 2. In a second position, the ventilation opening 7a is opened, so that a flow of air can pass through the ventilation passage 7. In this second position, the tiltable frame 3 remains locked in the casing 2 In a third position, the tiltable frame 3 is also unlocked from the casing 2 and can be tilted with respect to the casing 2, so that it can be moved

from the closed position into one or more open positions, in which the tilting window 1 is open. Figure 1 shows the closure element 8 in the second position. If the closure element 8 is pivoted towards the tiltable frame 3, it will move into the first position. On the other hand, if it is moved away from the tiltable frame 3, the closure element 8 will move into the third position.

Control means 9, which can be used to control a flow rate of a flow of air passing through the ventilation passage 7, are arranged in the ventilation opening. The control means 9 are designed as a ventilation flap 10 which is held hingedly in the ventilation opening 7a by means of one or more clamp elements 11. The clamp elements 11 are secured to the tiltable frame 3 by means of a screw or the like (as indicated by an axis marker).

The ventilation flap 10 is preferably made from a metal, such as alurninium. The clamp elements 11 are preferably made from a spring steel, so that they lose little if any of their clamping action over the course of time. If appropriate, ribs or the like may be provided on the clamp element 11 and/or the ventilation flap 10 at the location of the hinged connection, in order to ensure/improve the positional accuracy of the ventilation flap.

The clamping action of the clamp elements 11 allows a continuous adjustment of the ventilation flap 10 in the ventilation passage 7. As a result, it is also possible for the flow rate of air passing through the ventilation passage 7 to be adjusted continuously.

The ventilation flap 10 can be placed in a desired position by being pivoted. In the embodiment shown, the ventilation flap is provided with an actuating button 12 which is secured to one of the ends of the ventilation flap 10, in such a manner that it projects beyond the closure element 8.

The ventilation flap 10 is advantageously positioned in the vicinity of the end of the ventilation opening 7a, so that as a result of the ventilation opening 7a being closed by the closure

element 8, i. e. the latter being placed in its first position, the ventilation flap 10 is also placed in the closed position.

When the closure element 8 is opened again, the ventilation flap 10 will remain in its closed position. If appropriate, it is also possible to provide means for returning the ventilation flap 10 to the original position, i. e. the position prior to the closure element 8 being closed.

As an alternative to the ventilation flap 10, it is also possible to provide a sliding grating or to adapt the closure element 8 in such a manner that it can be used to adjust the extent to which the ventilation passage 7 is closed.

Furthermore, the tilting window 1 comprises a protective cap 13 which extends over the ventilation opening 7a at least on the outer side of the tilting window 1, in order to ensure that it is impossible for any rain or other precipitation to enter the ventilation opening 7a. The ventilation passage 8 passes through the protective cap and opens out on the outer side of the tilting window 1.

The protective cap 13 comprises an outer profiled section 14 which runs substantially parallel to the surface of the window pane of the closed tilting window 1. The outer profiled section 14 extends to just beyond the start of the window pane 4.

Between the window pane 4 and the end of the outer profiled section 14 there is an air inlet 15 allowing air to enter the ventilation passage 7. In the fitted position of the tilting window 1, the air inlet 15 is located on the lower side of the protective cap 13, so that it is impossible for rain or other precipitation which has entered the air inlet 15 to continue to flow further into the ventilation passage 7.

To restrict the ingress of precipitation but also to ensure that the outer profiled section 14 does not project too far over the window pane 4, since this would restrict the passage of light through the window pane 4, the outer profiled section 14 is bent off towards the window pane 4 at its end which faces the window pane 4. In order, on the other hand, to ensure that the air

inlet 15 does not become too small, it is important that the outer profiled section 14 does not continue too far towards the window pane 4. The angle a between the surface of the window pane 4 in the closed position and the end of the outer profiled section, as indicated in the figure, will therefore in this case be between 0 and 90° and is preferably between 10 and 60°.

The outer profiled section 14 is provided with an insulation layer 16 to limit the noise caused by precipitation striking the protective cap.

A first inner profiled section 17, at least a portion 17a of which, on a first side, at least partially delimits the ventilation passage 7, is arranged in the protective cap 13. The portion 17a of the inner profiled section 17 is shaped in such a manner that the flow of air passing through the ventilation passage 7 is guided from the air inlet 15 towards the ventilation opening 7'in the tiltable frame 3. On the opposite side of the ventilation passage 7 there is a second inner profiled section 18, which second inner profiled section 18 comprises a portion 18a which at least in part delimits the ventilation passage 7. This first portion 18a of the second inner profiled section 18 is also shaped in such a manner that the air is guided from the air inlet 15 towards the ventilation opening 7'in the tiltable frame 3.

The second inner profiled section 18 comprises a second portion 18b which crosses the ventilation passage to the other side.

This second portion 18b has a number of openings and forms an insect grating to prevent insects and the like from being able to enter through the ventilation passage 7. Furthermore, the second inner profiled section 18 also comprises a third portion 18c, which, in line with the first profiled section 17, delimits part of the ventilation passage 7, and a fourth portion 18d of the second inner profiled section 18 bears against the casing 2 to enable the second inner profiled section 18 to be secured to the casing 2. The first inner profiled section 17 is secured to the second inner profiled section 18 via the connecting slot 17b.

The second inner profiled section 18 also has a securing clamp 19 for clamping a sealing profiled section 20 to it. The tiltable frame 3, in the closed position of the tiltable frame 3, is pressed in a sealing manner against this sealing profiled section 20 by the securing element 5.

It is advantageous for the first portion 18a of the second inner profiled section 18 to project a certain distance beyond the securing clamp 19, so that a space 21 is formed between the second inner profiled section 18 and the tiltable frame 3. This space 21 serves as a water-collection cavity 21 to collect in particular water which backs up over the window 4, so that water which backs up does not penetrate into the ventilation passage.

Water or any other precipitation which is collected in the water-collection cavity 21 will then run downwards back out of the water-collection cavity 21 over the tiltable frame 3 and will then be discharged from there in a known way.

To increase the size of the air inlet 15 of the ventilation passage 7, it is advantageous for at least the end of the first portion 18a of the second inner profiled section 18 to taper towards the tiltable frame 3. The angle P between the surface of the window pane in the closed position and the end of the first portion 18a is therefore greater than 0°, and is preferably 10-50°.

The drawing shows a cross section through a part of a tilting frame which shows various components of the tilting window 1 according to the invention, in particular relating to the ventilation means. It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that in practice these ventilation means will extend over a considerable proportion, preferably over substantially the entire width, of the tiltable frame.