Technology field

Present invention relates to a window frame assembly for mounting a window to a door blade. Also, present invention relates to a door blade comprising such a window frame assembly.

Background of the invention

In the field of entrance systems, windows are often mounted to the door leaf to allow vision through the door. The window is mounted to the door leaf by means of a frame and window clips for fixating the window.

To mount the door to the door leaf is associated with a number of challenges. For example the window has to be kept very stable during the mounting in order to not risk any damage to the window, frame or clip. Furthermore the mounting requires the operator to fixate the frames and clips by means of screws which may allow for assembling errors and damage to the components.

Summary

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a window frame assembly which seek to mitigate, alleviate, or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination.

According to an aspect a window frame assembly is provided. The window frame assembly is for mounting a window to a door blade. The window frame assembly comprises a first frame and a second frame arranged to be connected for receiving the window and mounted to the door blade on opposing sides of the window. The first frame is formed by frame elements and the second frame is formed by frame elements. Each frame element of the first or second frame comprises a fastening portion. The fastening portion comprises an elongated projection arranged to extend distally towards an opposing frame element of the opposing first or second frame when the first frame is connected to the second frame, and a first and second barb arranged in series along the elongated projection. The second barb is arranged distally along the elongated projection and forming a distal tip of the fastening portion.

The window frame assembly further comprises a plurality of fastening clips for attaching the first frame to the second frame, the fastening clips being in a resilient material and comprising a first portion and a second portion.

The first portion comprises a first portion aperture for receiving the fastening portion of a frame element of the frame elements of the first frame. The first portion aperture comprises a first phase arranged to interface with a proximal phase of the first barb and a second phase arranged to interface with a distal phase of the second barb to retain the fastening portion 260 to the fastening clip when the fastening portion is inserted into the first portion aperture.

The second portion comprises a second portion aperture for receiving the fastening portion of a frame element of the frame elements of the second frame. The second portion aperture comprises a first phase arranged to interface with a proximal phase of the first barb and a second phase arranged to interface with a distal phase of the second barb to retain the fastening portion to the fastening clip when the fastening portion is inserted into the second portion aperture.

According to an aspect a door blade is provided. The door blade comprises a window and a window frame assembly.

Brief description of the drawings

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of the example embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the example embodiments.

Fig. 1 discloses a schematic view of a window assembly according to an embodiment mounted to a door blade. Fig. 2 depicts an exploded view of a window assembly according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3 depicts a cross-section view of a window assembly according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4 discloses a schematic view of a window frame element and a fastening portion according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5 discloses a cross-section and perspective view of a fastening clip according to an embodiment.

Detailed description

Present invention relates to a frame assembly for attaching a panel to a door of an entrance system.

In Fig. 1 a section of a door blade 90 is shown. A window 100 is mounted to the door blade 90 by means of a frame assembly which will be described further with reference to Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 depicts an exploded view of the window frame assembly according to the present disclosure. The window frame assembly is for mounting the window 100 to the door blade 90. The window frame comprises a first frame 200 and a second frame 300. The first and second frame are arranged to be connected for receiving the window 100 and mounted to the door blade 90 on opposing sides of the window. The frames are thus arranged to be mounted facing each other on opposite sides of said window 90.

The first frame 200 is formed by frame elements, e.g. a first set of frame elements comprising a first frame element 201, a second frame element 202, a third frame element 203 and a fourth frame element 204. The frame elements are connected to each other, whereby the first frame element 201 is parallel to the second frame element 202. The first frame element 201 and the second frame element 202 are each connected to the third frame element 203 and the fourth frame element 204, the third frame element 203 being parallel to the fourth frame element 204 and orthogonal to the first and second frame element.

Similarly, the second frame 300 is formed by frame elements, e.g. a second set of frame elements comprising a first frame element 301, a second frame element 302, a third frame element 303 and a fourth frame element 304. The frame elements are connected to each other, whereby the first frame element 301 is parallel to the second frame element 302. The first frame element 301 and the second frame element 302 are each connected to the third frame element 303 and the fourth frame element 304, the third frame element 303 being parallel to the fourth frame element 304 and orthogonal to the first and second frame element.

The window frame assembly further comprises a plurality of comer elements 211 arranged to connect the frame elements of the first frame 200 to form said first frame 200 and the frame elements of the second frame of the second frame 300 to form said second frame 300, respectively. The comer fastening elements may be in the form of L-brackets. In one embodiment the comer fastening elements 211 and the frame elements may comprise through holes for receiving fastening elements, such as screws, for fastening the frame elements to the comer elements 211.

To enable fastening of the frames to each other the window frame assembly further comprises a plurality of fastening clips 600 for attaching the first frame 200 to the second frame 300. The fastening clips 600 may be arranged to interface with the frame elements of the first and second frame.

A fastening clip 600 is more closely depicted in Fig. 3 which shows the window 100 being mounted to the first frame element 201 of the first frame 200 and the first frame element 301 of the second frame 300. The frames are mounted together by means of the first frame elements both being attached to the fastening clip 600.

To allow for the fastening of the frames to each other, each frame element comprises a fastening portion 260. The fastening portion comprises an elongated projection 263 arranged to extend distally towards an opposing frame element of the opposing first or second frame when the first frame 200 is connected to the second frame 300.

The fastening portions of opposing frame elements are each arranged to interface with the fastening clip 600 and be retained by means of said fastening clip 600 to connect the first and the second frame.

Turning to Fig. 4a, the fastening portion and frame element are more closely depicted.

The fastening portion 260 further comprises a first barb 261 and a second barb 262, the first and second barb are arranged in series along the elongated projection. The second barb 262 is arranged distally along the elongated projection 263 and forms a distal tip of the fastening portion 260.

The first barb 261 and the second barb 262 are arranged to be distally facing, i.e. towards the opposing frame element of the opposing frame. Accordingly the tip of each of the first barb 261 and the second barb 262 is arranged to be distally facing in relation to the frame element 201.

The frame element 201 comprises a first sealing seat 221 and a second sealing seat 222 each arranged to receive a sealing member 80 (as depicted in Fig. 3). The first and second sealing seat allows for press-fitting of the sealing member, further reducing the complexity of the window frame assembly as well as allows for faster and easier mounting. Each frame element may comprise a first sealing seat and second sealing seat.

The first sealing seat 221 is arranged to face the window when the frames are mounted together on opposite sides of the window 100, hence it may be arranged to receive a first sealing member which abuts to the window 100 when the frames are mounted together from opposite sides of the window 100.

The second sealing seat is arranged to face the door blade 90 when the frames are mounted together on opposite sides of the window 100, hence it may be arranged to receive a second sealing member which abuts to the door blade 90 when the frames are mounted together from opposite sides of the window 100.

With reference to Fig. 4b, the first barb 261 may comprise a pair of barb flanges 291 and 292 extending from opposite sides of the elongated projection 263. The barb flanges 291 and 292 extend diagonally from the elongated projection 263 and forms the proximal and distal phase of the first barb 261.

Similarly, the second barb 262 may comprise a pair of barb flanges 293 and 294 extending from opposite sides of the elongated projection 263. The barb flanges 293 and 294 extend diagonally from the elongated projection 263 and forms the proximal and distal phase of the second barb 262.

Each of the first barb and second barb has a first flange angle b2 defined by the proximal phase of the barb in relation to a centreline Cl of the elongated projection 263 extending along said elongated projection 263. Preferably said first flange angle b2 may be between 20 and 60 degrees and more preferably approximately 40 degrees for each of the first and second barb.

Each of the first barb and second barb has a second flange angle b3 the distal phase of the barb in relation to a centreline Cl of the elongated projection 263 extending along said elongated projection 263. Preferably said first flange angle b3 may be between 20 and 40 degrees and more preferably approximately 30 degrees for each of the first and second barb.

The second barb 262 may have a distal tip angle bΐ between 40-70 degrees, more preferably between 50 and 70 degrees and most preferably approximately 60 degrees.

Turning to Fig. 5a-b, the fastening clip 600 is depicted in further detail. The fastening clips 600 of the window frame assembly may be in a resilient material, such as rubber. The fastening clips 600 comprises a first portion 601 and a second portion 602.

The first portion 601 comprises a first portion 621 for receiving the fastening portion 260 of a frame element of the frame elements of the first frame. The first portion aperture 621 comprises a first phase arranged to interface with a proximal phase of the first barb 261 and a second phase arranged to interface a distal phase of the second barb 262 to retain the fastening portion to the fastening clip 600 when the fastening portion 260 is inserted into the first portion aperture.

Correspondingly, the second portion 602 comprises a second portion aperture 622 for receiving the fastening portion 260 of a frame element of the frame elements of the second frame. The second portion aperture 622 comprising a first phase arranged to interface with a proximal phase of the first barb 251 and a second phase arranged to interface with a distal phase of the second barb 262 to retain the fastening portion 260 to the fastening clip 600 when the fastening portion inserted into the second portion aperture 622.

Hence, the fastening portions of the frame elements are mounted together by means of insertion of the fastening portion of said frame elements into opposing sides of the fastening clip. The operator may thus mount the entire door blade by mounting the window by means of first attaching the fastening clips to the first frame by attaching a plurality of fastening clips to the fastening portions of the frame elements of the first frame. The window may then be positioned onto the first frame, the fastening clips being disposed around the window, whereby the second frame may be utilised to fixate the window to the first frame meanwhile the fastening portions of the frame elements of the second frame entering and being retained by the fastening clip thereby establishing the attaching of the first frame to the second frame.

Due to the resilient locking of the window frames by means of the fastening clips the window may be mounted in a manner which does not require any screws or other additional fastening elements. Thereby the entire mounting process is simplified and the mounting of the window frame may be performed faster.

Furthermore, the initial insertion of the second barb provides an indication regarding the orientation of the fastening clip and/or profile element before the frame is fixated to the fastening clip. By first inserting a single barb the correct alignment is indicated by the interfacing between the fastening portion and the receiving aperture, i.e. the first or second portion aperture. After the correct alignment is ensured the remaining fastening portion may be inserted whereby the remaining barb ensures the retaining of the fastening portion into the aperture and the attaching operation is completed.

Without the dual barb arrangement any misalignment during said operation would cause an improper fixating of the frame element to the fastening clip which may lead to the fastening clip breaking during mounting or an improperly mounted frame. Accordingly, the dual barb arrangement further allows for a window frame assembly which is more user friendly to assemble and reduces the risk for assembling errors.

Also, the window frame assembly according to the above allows for a stronger retaining effect due to the fastening portion interfacing with the phases of each barb and deforming accordingly. This allows for a stronger and more robust connection between the frames which increases the overall performance of the door blade as well as simplifies the mounting of the window frame assembly onto the door blade.

Again referring to Fig. 5a-b, the fastening clips 600 may comprise a notched section 603, 604 interconnecting the first portion 601 and the second portion 602. The notched section may be formed by means of a first recess 603 and a second recess 604 extending parallel and orthogonal to the centreline C of the fastening clip 600.

The notched section enables further deformation of the fastening clip 600, thereby increasing the retaining effect holding the barbs of the fastening portions in place in the apertures of the fastening clip 600. Hence, a more robust attachment is achieved. The first portion aperture 621 is formed by a pair of parallel first portion walls 641 and 642 disposed at a distance from each other along the first portion aperture 601, e.g. along a centreline C of the fastening clip 600. The parallel walls are interconnected by a first portion intermediate wall 643 extending orthogonally to said pair of parallel first portion walls 641, 642. The intermediate first portion wall 643 forms the second phase of the first portion aperture 621.

As seen in Fig. 5a, the pair of parallel first portion walls 641, 642 each comprises a retaining lip 651 and 652 extending substantially diagonally towards the centreline C of the fastening clip 600 and the intermediate wall 643. Said retaining lips 651 and 652 forms the first phase of the first aperture 621 and forms a passage pi for allowing insertion of the fastening portion 260. The passage pi defines a minimum distance between the retaining lips 651 and 652 which may be approximately between 0,5 and 4 mm and more preferably 2 mm.

The intermediate wall portion 643 may comprise a rounded indentation 648. Further, each of the pair of parallel first portion walls 641 and 642 may comprises a rounded chamfer 646 and 647 disposed adjacent to the first portion intermediate wall 643. The rounded indentation 648 is arranged to receive the distal tip of the fastening portion 260 formed by the distal phase of the second barb 262 and the rounded chamfers 646 and 647 are arranged to retain a proximal phase of said second barb 262 when the fastening portion 260 is inserted into the first portion aperture 621.

The retaining lips 651 and 652 inclination may together define an insertion angle a in relation to the centreline C of approximately between 45 and 75 degrees and more preferably approximately 60 degrees.

Still referring to Fig. 5a, the second portion 602 is formed by a pair of parallel second portion walls 683 and 684 disposed at a distance from each other along the second portion aperture 622, i.e. along the centreline C. The pair of parallel second portion walls 683 and 684 are interconnected by a second portion intermediate wall 685 extending orthogonally to said pair of parallel second portion walls 683 and 684. The pair of second portion parallel walls each comprises a chamfered wall section 681 and 682 extending from each of the pair of second portion parallel walls 683 and 684 towards the centreline C of the fastening clip 600 to form a second portion passage p2 for allowing insertion of the fastening portion 260. The chamfered wall sections 681 and 682 each has an inner wall phase facing the second portion intermediate wall 685 extending diagonally towards the centreline C and the second portion intermediate wall 685. The second portion intermediate wall 685 is substantially wedge-shaped to receive the distal tip of the fastening portion 260 formed by the distal phase of the second barb 262 and the inner wall sections of the chamfered wall sections 681 and 682 is arranged to retain the proximal phase of the first barb 261 when the fastening portion 260 is inserted into the first portion aperture 621. The second portion passage p2 defines a minimum distance between the chamfered wall sections 681 and 682 which may be approximately between 0,5 and 5 mm and more preferably approximately about 2 mm.

The asymmetric fastening interface of the fastening clip allows for the second portion being connected to the second frame first in a simple manner which does not require substantial clamping force due to the second portion aperture replicating that of the fastening portion. When the entire window frame is assembled by means of fixating the window by connecting the first frames fastening portions to the fastening clamps the design of the first portion apertures allows for greater deformation than the second portion which allows for a stronger bonding between the frames when the entire frame assembly is mounted together. According to an aspect a door blade is provided. The door blade 90 comprises a window

100 and a window frame assembly according to any of the aforementioned embodiments.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments. However, many variations and modifications can be made to these embodiments. Accordingly, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the embodiments being defined by the following claims.