Window and door structures must fulfil various criteria, especially in relation to insulating, such that the temperature and humidity within the building in which the window or door is mounted can be kept at substantially constant levels independently of the outside weather. Furthermore, it is important that the window or door structure provides resistance against burglary by forcing the window or door structure open. Also, in recent years the demand for win- dow or door structures that appear visually attractive and fit quiet into the building has increased.

In conventional window or door structures, such as e. g. the one shown in EP- A1-0 627 539 the sash comprises a T-shaped profile section having a vertical external profile wall, which forms the foremost portion of the frame, and an inwardly projecting flange forming a peripheral sash part. The peripheral sash part projects from the external wall approximately from a centre line thereof which means that the vertical external profile wall extends beyond the loca- tion of the flange. The purpose of the vertical external profile wall is to pro- vide an attractive outer appearance of the window and to cover all the ele- ments that are located behind the sash, i. e. the frame, fittings, locking mechanisms, glazing beads, etc. , such that these elements are not visible from the outside and are not exposed to e. g. rain.

A disadvantage of the known sashes of this kind is, however, that by using appropriate tools the vertical external profile wall can be bent outwards such that access is provided to the fittings which are located between the frame and the sash, and in particular to the latches of a locking mechanism. The fittings are mounted in a flange part of the peripheral sash part, and also this flange part may, by use of appropriate tools, be deformed. From a safety point of view this is highly undesirable, since a potential thief may then pro- vide himself an opportunity to force entry to the fittings and further on to the interior of the building in which the window or door structure is mounted.

From US-A-4 796 933 and US-A-5 709 055 it is known in relation to a win- dow structure to arrange fittings that are provided with a supporting bracket with an extension that is located between the peripheral edge of the glass pane and the peripheral sash part. In US-A-4 796 933 the supporting bracket is secured to the sash by means of a leaf spring and in US-A-5 709 055 the supporting bracket is secured to the sash by means of screws. In either case the supporting bracket is secured only by means of external elements that force the supporting bracket towards the sash. This kind of fastening of the supporting bracket entails that if a force is applied to the window structure, e. g. in case of burglary, the external fastening elements must be able to re- sist the applied force. Therefore, the fastening means must be relatively heavy. Additionally, in order to ensure that the supporting bracket is not itself deformed if a large force is applied to the window structure, it must be made of a heavy material.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a window or door structure of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph, in which fittings are mounted in a much more safe and strong manner than previously known. Furthermore, the mounting should be applicable in window and door structures having a slim design.

This is achieved by arranging the window or door structure in such manner that at least a portion of the peripheral sash part extends between the exten- sion of the supporting bracket and the plate-shaped element.

Thereby is obtained that fittings provided on the sash are mounted much more stable and reliable than previously known fittings, since the supporting bracket is directly supported by the sash on two sides.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the peripheral sash part com- prises a profiled metal element, which, in a cross-section taken perpendicular to a longitudinal direction thereof, comprises a cavity, and the extension of the supporting bracket extends through an opening into the cavity and is se- cured thereto. By providing the peripheral sash part as a profiled metal ele- ment with a cavity a rigid and strong sash is achieved. Securing the exten- sion of the supporting bracket to the cavity entails a very strong and stable connection fastening of the supporting bracket.

The engagement between the sash and the supporting bracket preferably comprises a locking hook provided on the extension of the supporting bracket, which locking hook is in engagement with a locking bead in the cav- ity of the profiled metal element of the sash. It is hereby possible to obtain a connection that is strong and reliable and that requires only few, if any, extra elements in order to secure the supporting bracket to the sash.

In one embodiment the locking hook on the extension of the supporting bracket is preferably in snap engagement with the locking bead. Thereby mounting of the supporting bracket can be achieved readily and fast without use of extra elements.

Preferably, however, a wedge element is arranged to secure the engagement between the locking hook and the locking bead. This enables the supporting bracket to be released from the sash, if desired, by simply removing the wedge element.

In stead of being a wall of a cavity the peripheral sash part that extends be- tween the extension of the supporting bracket and the plate-shaped element may be a flange that protrudes inwardly from a front part of the sash. In this embodiment it is still possible to achieve a strong and reliable connection between the supporting bracket and the sash.

In one embodiment the supporting bracket supports a pasquil system. A pas- quil system requires a stable and strong connection to the sash in order not to become loose after long time use. The mounting in accordance with the invention by means of supporting brackets fulfils this requirement.

Preferably, a glazing bead is attached to the sash, and the pasquil system is concealed in the glazing bead with a plurality of supporting brackets con- nected to the pasquil system extending through a corresponding number of openings in the glazing bead. In this manner the pasquil system is concealed within the glazing bead.

In another embodiment the fittings comprise a part of a hinge. Also a hinge requires a stable and strong connection to the sash in order not to become loose after long time use. The mounting in accordance with the invention by means of supporting brackets fulfils this requirement.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the frame is at an inner side pro- vided with a forwardly protruding flange that conceals the fittings. Thereby is achieved a window or door structure that has a clean-cut appearance with only a few elements being visible. Furthermore, the inwardly end of the sup-

porting bracket is kept clear of the clearing of the window or door structure which is desirable since the supporting bracket may constitute a heat bridge.

Additionally, if the outer surface of the frame and the outer surface of the sash are substantially aligned it is possible to achieve a very slim design of the window or door structure.

Preferably, the peripheral sash part extends into close vicinity of the frame, and a weather stripping is arranged between the peripheral sash part and the frame. Thereby access to the fittings between the sash and frame is made very difficult, and the weather stripping moreover provides protection against wind and water.

It should be noted that the term"peripheral sash part"when used in this specification is intended to mean not only the outermost part of the sash, but the whole part of the sash that is located peripherally outside the plate- shaped element or glass pane. Thus, the peripheral sash part is not re- stricted to the outermost part of the sash, but also includes any possible sash part provided between the outermost part and the plate-shaped element.

The invention will be described in detail in the following with reference to the drawings in which Fig. 1 shows schematically a window structure according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a cross-section through a lower part of a first embodiment of the structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a part of the sash shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows a cross-section through a side part of a first embodiment of the structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 shows a cross-section through a lower part of a second embodiment of the structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a part of the sash shown in Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 shows a cross-section through a lower part of a third embodiment of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 shows schematically a structure 1 according to the invention. The structure 1 is an outwardly openable window comprising a frame 2 and a sash 3 that in the shown embodiment are interconnected by hinges 11 at the sides. However, the invention is not limited to this kind of structure, but is ap- pliable in other window or door structures in which the sash is either fixedly connected to the frame or is connected to the frame by other types of hinges than shown in Fig. 1. By way of example only, the invention will be described with reference to the structure 1 shown in Fig. 1.

The sash 3 is provided with a plate-shaped element that may be a glass pane 4 if the structure 1 is a window or a glazed door. Alternatively, the plate- shaped element may be a non-transparent panel if the structure 1 is a blind window or a blind door.

Fig. 2 shows schematically an enlarged view of a cross-section of a lower part of the structure 1 in a first embodiment of the invention. The sash 3 comprises an L-shaped, profiled metal element having a front part 3a and a peripheral part 3b that extends externally around the periphery of the glass pane 4. The cross-section shown is taken perpendicular to a longitudinal di- rection of the profiled metal element. The peripheral part 3b is provided with

a cavity 6 that provides strength and rigidity to the sash 3. The glass pane 4 comprises two window glasses 4a, 4b which form a double-glazing unit that is mounted in the sash 3 and supported by means of a hollow glazing bead 5 that is provided on the interior side of the sash 3. The glazing bead 5 is pref- erably made of plastics, but it might as well be made of metal or a composite material.

Inside the hollow glazing bead 5 a pasquil system is provided. The pasquil system comprises a displaceable striking plate 7 that is engageable with an undercut tap 9 that is secured to the frame 2. The undercut tap 9 is provided with an annular groove 10 that is engageable with the striking plate 7. The pasquil system as such is not a part of the present invention and will not be described further herein.

A supporting bracket 12 that is connected to the sash 3 supports the pasquil system as it will be described below. The supporting bracket 12 is provided with an extension 12a that extends through the bottom part of the glazing bead 5, through an opening 13 provided in the peripheral part 3b of the sash 3 into the cavity 6 where it is in snap engagement with the inner surface of the cavity 6 by means of a locking hook 14 on the extension 12a and a lock- ing bead 15 inside the cavity 6. Since the extension 12a of the supporting bracket 12 is positioned in the cavity 6 it is mounted in a concealed manner, i. e. it is not visible from the outside of the sash 3. This structure is shown in perspective in a pre-mounted position in Fig. 3 that shows the profiled metal element forming the sash 3 and the supporting bracket 12. The profiled metal element is shown with a cut-out for better illustration of the opening 13 that gives access for the extension 12a of the bracket 12 to the closed cavity 6 within the peripheral part 3b of the sash 3.

Fig. 2 also shows the frame 2 of the structure 1. The frame 2 may be made of wood, metal, plastics or a composite material and has a generally rectangular

cross-section, but is at its upper part provided with an integrated flange 16 that protrudes towards the glass pane 4 and leaves a recess 17 outside the flange 16 adapted to receive a portion of the sash 3, such as the glazing bead 5. Between the flange 16 and glass pane 4 a sealing member 18 is provided. The sealing member 18 is attached to a flap 19 provided on the glazing bead 5, preferably by co-extrusion. The flap 19 may, on the side fac- ing the window glass 4b, be coloured or provided with coloured tape such that it appears quiet when the structure 1 is seen from the outside through the glass pane 4. In a closed position of the structure 1 the flap 19 conceals the sealing member 18 when viewed from the outside through the glass pane 4.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 the outer surface 30 of the frame 2 and the outer surface 31 of the sash 3 are substantially aligned giving the struc- ture a very slim design. A weather stripping 20 is arranged between the sash 3 and the frame 2 at the outer surfaces 30,31. The weather stripping 20 is arranged on the sash 3 in the same manner as the sealing member 18, i. e. on the glazing bead 5, preferably by co-extrusion. The weather stripping 20 provides sealing against entrance of wind and water from the outside and furthermore provides an efficient noise reduction.

If the supporting bracket 12 is made of metal, such as steel, it constitutes a heat bridge that attempts to transfer the outdoor temperature towards the clearing of the window structure 1. However, as it appears from Fig. 2 the distance from the innermost end of the supporting bracket 12 to the clearing is relatively large and is covered by the flange 16 of the frame 2 which means that the risk of formation of condensation water in the inner window glass 4b at the area of the supporting bracket 12 is minimised. In fact, by the embodi- ment shown in Fig. 2 the innermost end of the supporting bracket 12 is not closer to the clearing than the spacer element between the two window glasses 4a, 4b of the glass pane 4.

Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of a side part of the structure 1 shown in Fig. 1.

Since numerous elements of the structure shown in Fig. 4 can also be found in Figs 2-3 the same reference numerals are used for same parts, even if they differ in details. Elements of the structure 1 that is also found in Fig. 2 will not be described further.

Fig. 4 shows the sash 3 comprising the front part 3a and the peripheral part 3b as described above. The glass pane 4 is supported at the interior side by the glazing bead 5 that in the shown area has been partly cut away in order to give room for a hinge 11. The hinge 11, which interconnects the sash 3 and the frame 2, comprises an angled mounting rail 21 secured to the frame 2 e. g. by means of screws (not shown), an intermediate rod 22 and a sup- porting bracket 12 secured to the sash 3. The intermediate rod 22 is pivotably connected to the mounting rail 21 and to the supporting bracket 12. The op- eration of the hinge 11 will not be described in further detail herein.

The supporting bracket 12 is provided with an extension 12a that extends through the bottom part of the glazing bead 5, through an opening 13 pro- vided in the peripheral part 3b of the sash 3 into the cavity 6 where it is in snap engagement with the inner surface of the cavity 6 by means of a locking hook 14 on the extension 12a and a locking bead 15 inside the cavity 6 in a manner similar to that described above with reference to Figs 2 and 3. Again, since the extension 12a of the supporting bracket 12 is positioned in the cav- ity 6 it is mounted in a concealed manner, i. e. it is not visible from the outside of the sash 3.

Fig. 4 also shows the frame 2 of the structure 1, but since the frame 2 and the interface between the frame 2 and the sash 3 are identical to those shown in Fig. 2 they will not be described again here.

Fig. 5 shows schematically an enlarged view of a cross-section of a lower part of the structure 1 in a second embodiment of the invention. Since nu- merous elements of the structure shown in Fig. 5 can also be found in Figs 2- 4 the same reference numerals are used for same parts, even if they differ in details.

Again, the sash 3 comprises an L-shaped, profiled metal element having a front part 3a and a peripheral part 3b that extends externally around the pe- riphery of the glass pane 4. The cross-section shown is taken perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the profiled metal element. The peripheral part 3b is provided with a cavity 6 that provides strength and rigidity to the sash 3.

The glass pane 4 comprises two window glasses 4a, 4b which form a double- glazing unit that is mounted in the sash 3 and supported by means of a hol- low glazing bead 5 that is provided on the interior side of the sash 3. The glazing bead 5 is preferably made of plastics, but it might as well be made of metal or a composite material.

Inside the hollow glazing bead 5 a pasquil system is provided. The pasquil system comprises a displaceable striking plate 7 that is engageable with an undercut tap 9 that is secured to the frame 2. The undercut tap 9 is provided with an annular groove 10 that is engageable with the striking plate 7. The pasquil system as such is not a part of the present invention and will not be described further herein.

As in the embodiment shown in Figs 2-3 a supporting bracket 12 that is con- nected to the sash 3 supports the pasquil system. The supporting bracket 12 is provided with an extension 12a that extends through the bottom part of the glazing bead 5, through an opening 13 provided in the peripheral part 3b of the sash 3 into the cavity 6 where it is in engagement with the inner surface of the cavity 6 by means of a locking hook 14 on the extension 12a and a locking bead 15 inside the cavity 6. In this embodiment the locking hook 14 is

not in snap-engagement with the locking bead 15 as it was the case in the first embodiment shown in Figs 2-4. In stead the extension 12a of the sup- porting bracket 12 is shaped to be freely manoeuvrable into the cavity 6 until the locking hook 14 engages the locking bead 15 provided inside the cavity 6. A wedge element 23 is then forced into the opening 13 underneath the extension 12a of the supporting bracket 12 until a groove 24 in the wedge element 23 engages and edge 25 of the peripheral sash part 3b. Again, since the extension 12a of the supporting bracket 12 is positioned in the cavity 6 it is mounted in a concealed manner, i. e. it is not visible from the outside of the sash 3.

This configuration is shown in perspective in a pre-mounted position in Fig. 6 that shows the profiled metal element forming the sash 3 and the supporting bracket 12. The profiled metal element is shown with a cut-out for better illus- tration of the opening 13 that gives access for the extension 12a of the bracket 12 to the closed cavity 6 within the peripheral part 3b of the sash 3. It is seen that the supporting bracket 12 is provided with a notch 26 at the un- derside, which notch is capable of receiving the wedge element 23. When the supporting bracket 12 is mounted on the sash 3 the extension 12a is first manoeuvred freely through the opening 13 in the profiled metal element until the locking hook 14 engages the locking bead 15 as shown in Fig. 5. Then the wedge element 23 is aligned with the notch 26 and is forced into the opening 13 underneath the supporting bracket 12 until the groove 24 en- gages the edge 25 as shown in Fig. 5. The wedge element 23 is preferably made of a plastics material that allows it to bend during insertion as it is illus- trated in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 also shows the frame 2 of the structure 1, but since the frame 2 and the interface between the frame 2 and the sash 3 are identical to those shown in Fig. 2 they will not be described again here.

Finally, Fig. 7 shows schematically an enlarged view of a cross-section of a lower part of the structure 1 in a third embodiment of the invention. Since numerous elements of the structure shown in Fig. 5 can also be found in Figs 2-6 the same reference numerals are used for same parts, even if they differ in details.

Again, the sash 3 comprises an L-shaped, profiled metal element having a front part 3a and a peripheral part 3b that extends externally around the pe- riphery of the glass pane 4. The cross-section shown is taken perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the profiled metal element. Contrary to the first and second embodiment the peripheral part 3b is not provided with a cavity, but with a thickened outer wall 27 and a flange 28 that protrudes inwardly from the front part 3a of the sash 3. The glass pane 4 comprises two window glasses 4a, 4b which form a double-glazing unit that is mounted in the sash 3 and supported by means of a hollow glazing bead 5 that is provided on the interior side of the sash 3. The glazing bead 5 is preferably made of plastics, but it might as well be made of metal or a composite material.

Inside the hollow glazing bead 5 a pasquil system is provided. The pasquil system comprises a displaceable striking plate 7 that is engageable with an undercut tap 9 that is secured to the frame 2. The undercut tap 9 is provided with an annular groove 10 that is engageable with the striking plate 7. The pasquil system as such is not a part of the present invention and will not be described further herein.

As in the embodiment shown in Figs 2-3 and 5-6 a supporting bracket 12 that is connected to the sash 3 supports the pasquil system. The supporting bracket 12 is provided with an extension 12a that extends through the bottom part of the glazing bead 5 and into the space between the upper surface of the outer wall 27 and the inwardly protruding flange 28. The supporting bracket 12 is secured to the outer wall 27 of the sash 3 by means of a screw

29. By this arrangement comprising an inwardly protruding flange 28 that supports the distant end of the supporting bracket 12 it is possible to achieve a very strong and reliable interconnection that is not visible from the outside of the sash 3. Of course, the screw 29 could be replaced by any other suit- able fastening means, such as a welding between the extension 12a of the supporting bracket 12 or a bridge arranged on the inner surface of the outer wall 27 and spanning over the extension 12a of the supporting bracket 12.

Fig. 7 also shows the frame 2 of the structure 1, but since the frame 2 and the interface between the frame 2 and the sash 3 are identical to those shown in Fig. 2 they will not be described again here.

The invention has been described with reference to embodiments in which the extension 12a of the supporting bracket 12 either extends into a cavity 6 provided in the peripheral part 3b of the sash 3 or between an outer wall 27 and an inwardly protruding flange 28. In either case the mounting of the sup- porting bracket 12 is supported on opposite sides which provide a strong and reliable interconnection. Furthermore, the supporting bracket 12 is concealed and an appealing outer appearance of the sash 3 is maintained.

The invention is of course applicable in other sashes having different struc- tures than the ones shown. For instance, the sash may comprise U-shaped metal profiles that span across the peripheral edges of the glass pane, or it may be provided with an outer glazing bead. In either case it is still possible to secure a supporting bracket to the peripheral sash part in a concealed manner. The sash may also be made of other materials than metal, e. g. wood, plastics or a composite material.

The fittings that are mounted on the sash by means of a supporting bracket that has an extension that is secured to the sash peripherally outside the glass pane may comprise other elements than a hinge or a support for a

pasquil system. For instance, the fittings could be arranged to fixedly secure the sash to the frame. However, all such fittings are conventionally the struc- tural elements that require a stable and strong mounting on the sash and the invention is therefore particularly relevant for these parts.

The invention has also been described in relation to an outwardly openable window, but it is applicable in any kind of window or door structure, it being a fixed structure or an inwardly or outwardly openable structure, that comprises a peripheral sash part where a supporting bracket can be securely mounted.