Spring element and window sill system

Abstract

Spring element (1) for use in a window sill system (10), comprising a central section (2) and a first arm (4), wherein the central section (2) has a central support surface (22) which extends substantially parallel to a side plane (S), wherein the first arm (4) is integrally connected to the central section (2) and extends from the central section (2) predominantly along a longitudinal axis (L) lying in the side plane (S), wherein the first arm (4) has an inner support section (42) which is spaced from the side plane (S) by a first spring travel (A1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a spring element, in particular for use in a window sill system, and to a window sill system.

[0002] Window sill systems that accommodate and compensate for thermal expansion of the window sill due to temperature changes at the sill end are already known in the art. A compromise must always be found between sufficient rigidity in fixing the window sill to the masonry and sufficient movement of the window sill relative to the masonry. Ensuring adequate compensation for thermal expansion of the window sill has proven particularly problematic with window sill ends that are not embedded in plaster, such as those attached to brickwork.

[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a window sill system which improves and simplifies the storage of a window sill relative to masonry and, secondly, facilitates the installation of a window sill system.

[0004] These tasks are solved with a spring element according to claim 1 and a window sill system according to claim 13.

[0005] According to the invention, a spring element is provided for use in a window sill system, comprising a central section and a first arm, wherein the central section has a central support surface which extends substantially parallel to a lateral plane, wherein the first arm is integrally connected to the central section and extends from the central section predominantly along a longitudinal axis lying in the lateral plane, and wherein the first arm has an inner support section which is spaced from the lateral plane by a first spring travel. The spring element is particularly preferred for use between a fixed part of a window sill system, such as a window sill end cap, and a movable part of the window sill system, such as the window sill itself, which shifts relative to the fixed part due to thermal expansion in the area of ​​its suspension.The spring element comprises at least one central section and one first arm, which are integrally connected. The central section has a central support surface that lies essentially in a lateral plane, while the first arm has an inner support section that is spaced apart from the lateral plane. Since the spring element is made of elastically deformable material, this spacing of the central support surface from the inner support section, measured parallel to a line perpendicular to the lateral plane, allows the spring element to absorb length changes along this perpendicular.The inner support section is specifically designed to rest against an end face of a window sill, while the central support surface is specifically designed to rest against a window sill end cap, so that the spring element elastically absorbs any thermal expansion of the window sill. Furthermore, the use of a spring element according to the invention significantly simplifies the installation of the window sill system, as the spring element can establish a neutral installation position for the window sill relative to the window sill end cap. This is particularly advantageous when at least one spring element according to the present invention is used on both sides of the window sill between the respective window sill end and the window sill end cap located there. The window sill can then be advantageously positioned centrally relative to the two laterally arranged window sill end caps and subsequently installed with particular ease.The first arm is preferably designed to be relatively thin-walled compared to its lateral extent measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, which achieves advantageous spring properties, in particular a relatively low spring constant of the first arm. In the context of the present invention, an extension of the central support surface that is essentially parallel to the lateral plane means that local projections on the central support surface are certainly possible, but an overall flat support on a preferably also flat support surface of a window sill end is enabled.

[0006] In one embodiment, the spring element has a second arm that is integrally connected to the central section on the side opposite the first arm and extends predominantly along the longitudinal axis from the central section. The second arm has an inner support section that is spaced from the side plane by a second spring travel. Advantageously, the second arm is mirror-symmetrical to the first arm and integrally formed with the central section on the opposite side. The second arm allows for a more uniform cushioning effect of the support provided by the spring element, since not only the first arm between the central section and the inner support section of the first arm, but also the second arm, through its elastic deformation, achieves a cushioning effect.Accordingly, a three-point support can be achieved with the central section and the two arms, whereby a first support area is located between the central support surface and a window sill end, and two spaced-apart second support areas are located on the two inner support sections of the first arm and the second arm.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first spring travel is equal to the second spring travel. By designing the first and second arms with the same spring travel, which represents the corresponding distance available for elastic deformation traveled by the respective inner support section, thermal expansion of the window sill results in approximately the same elastic deformation in both arms. This ensures a uniform distribution of stress and force within the spring element and increases its service life.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first arm has an inner arm section and an outer arm section, with the inner support section of the first arm being arranged between the inner and outer arm sections, and the first and second arm sections not extending parallel to each other. In addition to the inner arm section, the arm, or both arms, have an outer arm section, the outer arm section having a different main extension than the inner arm section. In other words, this means that the inner arm section is angled relative to the outer arm section, with the inner support section located in the angled area. The presence of an outer arm section allows the spring element to be positioned further against the window sill edge, which in turn achieves improved deformation and spring action.In the case of the present spring element, a rounded geometry of the respective bending areas is preferred as a bent arrangement in order to reduce local stress peaks. This applies in particular to all embodiments, whether with two or three arms. The radius of curvature in the bending area is preferably at least twice the minimum material thickness of the respective arm in this area. In this way, a good compromise between weight savings and stress reduction in the bending area is achieved.

[0009] In one embodiment, when the spring element is stress-free, the principal extension direction of the inner arm section of the first arm forms an angle of 100° to 170°, preferably 120° to 150°, with the principal extension direction of the outer arm section of the first arm. Alternatively, or more preferably, when the spring element is stress-free, the principal extension direction of the inner arm section of the second arm forms an angle of 100° to 170°, preferably 120° to 150°, with the principal extension direction of the outer arm section of the second arm. In one embodiment, the second arm has an inner arm section and an outer arm section, with the inner support section of the second arm being arranged between the inner and outer arm sections, and the first and second arm sections of the second arm not extending parallel to each other.The angled design of each arm allows it to have both an inner and an outer support section, thus providing even more uniform elastic support for the windowsill against the windowsill end cap. The steeper the angle between the arm sections, the greater the resulting available spring travel. However, a steeper angle also increases friction between both the inner and outer support sections and the windowsill and end cap materials, potentially leading to greater abrasive wear.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first arm has an outer support section at its distal end, opposite the central section, which is arranged closer to the lateral plane than the inner support section of the first arm and preferably intersects the lateral plane. In another embodiment, the second arm has an outer support section at its distal end, opposite the central section, which is arranged closer to the lateral plane than the inner support section of the second arm and preferably intersects the lateral plane. In this embodiment, the outer support section is designed such that, in the undeformed state of the spring element, it and the central section are both located in the lateral plane. The angled design of the arms allows for the formation of three contact areas on the window sill edge, which extends in the lateral plane when installed, and two support areas, i.e., the inner support areas, on the window sill.In this way, a particularly broad and large-area support is achieved by the spring element.

[0011] In one embodiment, the spring element has a third arm that is integrally connected to the central section and extends predominantly along a transverse axis from the central section, the transverse axis being orthogonal to the side plane. The third arm preferably has an inner support section and an outer support section, the latter being spaced from the side plane by a second spring travel. In addition to the first and second arms, the spring element preferably has a third arm that extends predominantly perpendicular to the side plane. The third arm serves, in particular, to support the windowsill from below in order to pre-tension the windowsill against a cover section of a windowsill termination.The third arm is also preferably designed with a bent overall extension, with the two arm sections of the third arm also being aligned at an angle of 100° to 170° to each other.

[0012] In one embodiment, the central section has at least one support lug that projects perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and substantially parallel to the lateral plane. To achieve improved fixation of the central section in a recess of a window sill end cap, the central section has at least one support lug that also allows for elastic spring action against the inside of the window sill end cap. By means of this at least one support lug, the spring element can be securely mounted in a substantially C- or U-shaped window sill end cap, and the force-fit fixing of the spring element, in particular its central section, to the window sill end cap can be easily overcome by hand.

[0013] In one embodiment, the spring element is made of an elastically deformable plastic, preferably polyoxymethylene (POM). POM, as a preferred, particularly elastically deformable, durable and weather-resistant material, is ideally suited for use as a spring element according to the present invention.

[0014] According to the invention, a window sill system is further provided, comprising a window sill, a window sill end cap, and a spring element according to a previously described embodiment, wherein the spring element is arranged in a cavity provided in the window sill end cap, such that the central support surface is supported on the window sill end cap and the inner support section of at least the first arm, preferably of both arms, is supported on the window sill, wherein a displacement of the window sill parallel to the transverse axis in the direction of the window sill end cap causes an elastic deformation of the spring element, which is cushioned by it. According to the features described above, the window sill system benefits from the presence of at least one spring element per side of the window sill, which in particular facilitates the installation of the window sill and allows for good length compensation between the window sill and the window sill end cap in the long term.

[0015] In one embodiment of the window sill system, the spring element has a third arm with the properties described above, wherein the window sill is resiliently mounted on the third arm with its underside, and the third arm pre-tensions the window sill against a cover section of the window sill end cap. Pre-tensioning the window sill against the cover section of the window sill end cap ensures improved sealing of the window sill system, as water ingress through the gap between the window sill and the window sill end cap can be significantly reduced.

[0016] In one embodiment of the window sill system, a plurality of spring elements are spaced apart from one another and preferably evenly distributed within the cavity of the window sill end cap. Preferably, at least two, and particularly preferably three to four, spring elements are arranged substantially evenly distributed on each window sill end cap, thereby improving installation and achieving a corresponding elastic springback of the window sill to its neutral position.

[0017] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1 - a first preferred embodiment of a spring element in perspective view; Fig. 2 - a top view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Fig. 3 - a perspective view of a window sill system with a spring element provided therein; Fig. 4 - another preferred embodiment of a spring element in perspective view; and Fig. 5 - a perspective view of a window sill system with multiple spring elements.

[0018] The in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The embodiment of a spring element 1 shown in Figure 2 has a central section 2 with a central support surface 22. Improvement of the support inside a window sill termination 12 (see Figure 2). Fig. 3) The central section 2 has two support lugs 24 on its upper surface. It is understood that these support lugs 24 could also be provided on the underside of the central section 2. Furthermore, it would also be conceivable that the first arm 4 and the second arm 6 could also have support lugs similar to those on the central section 2. The support surface 22 extends essentially in a lateral plane S, with a longitudinal axis L running parallel to this lateral plane S. The first arm 4 and the second arm 6, which are each integrally formed on the central section 2, extend predominantly along a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The inner support sections 42, 62 of the first and second arms 4, 6 each have a spring travel A1, A2, by which they are spaced from the lateral plane S.Preferably, the spring element 1 is mirror-symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the lateral plane S and is formed centrally by the central section 2, such that the first spring travel A1 in the undeformed, i.e., stress-free, state of the spring element 1 is equal to the second spring travel A2. Each of the arms 4, 6 has an inner arm section 44, 46 and an outer arm section 46, 66, wherein the arm sections 44 and 46, as well as 64, 66, are each bent or angled relative to each other. In this way, each of the arms 4, 6 has an outer support section 43, 63 at its distal outer end, i.e., at the end of the respective outer arm section 46, 66, which is provided for bearing against a window sill end 12. Advantageously, the outer support sections 43, 63 are also located in the lateral plane S in the undeformed state of the spring element 1.In this way, the spring element can be positioned in a particularly uniform and large-area contact with the inside of the window sill end 12 during installation. In this embodiment of the spring element 1, in addition to the first and second arms 2, 4, a third arm 8 is provided, which has similar properties to the first and second arms 4, 6. However, the total extension length of the third arm 8, measured perpendicular to the side plane, is preferably smaller, and particularly preferably only about 0.4 to 0.7 times, the extension of the respective first or second arm 4, 6, measured parallel to the side plane. This allows the outer support section 83 of the third arm 8 to come into contact with the inside of the window sill end 12. Fig. Figure 2 shows in the top view of this embodiment the essentially W-shaped design of the central section and the two arm sections 4, 6, wherein the third arm 8 extends along the transverse axis Q from the central section 2.

[0019] Fig. Figure 3 shows a partially cutaway view of a window sill system 10, in which a window sill F is arranged and fixed to a window sill end cap 12, wherein a spring element 1 with the properties described above, in particular according to the first embodiment, is arranged between the blunt end of the window sill F and the inside of the window sill end cap 12. The spring element dampens and cushions movements of the window sill F along the transverse axis Q in the direction of the window sill end cap 12. In addition, the third arm 8 presses the window sill against the cover section 13 of the window sill end cap 12.

[0020] Fig. Figure 4 shows another preferred embodiment of a spring element 1, the only difference being that of the one described in the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the embodiments shown in Figure 2, the spring element does not have a third arm 8. This embodiment is particularly preferred when weight and manufacturing costs are to be reduced by saving material. Furthermore, this embodiment is preferred for use in window sill systems where the extension of the window sill end in the transverse axis Q is so small that further support by a third arm section 8 would be superfluous or even impossible. In this embodiment, the spring element 1 merely provides support for the missing window sill F against the window sill end 12, along or substantially parallel to the transverse axis Q. Reference symbol list: 1 spring element 2 Central section 22 central support surface 24 Support nose 4 first arm 42 inner support section 43 outer support section 44 inner arm section 46 outer arm section 6 second arm 62 inner support section 63 outer support section 64 inner arm section 66 outer arm section 8 third arm 82 inner support section 83 outer support section 10 Window sill systems 12 Window sill end cap 13 Cover section A1 first suspension travel F Window sill L Longitudinal axis Q transverse axis S side level

Claims

[1] Spring element (1) for use in a window sill system (10), comprising a central section (2) and a first arm (4), wherein the central section (2) has a central support surface (22) which extends substantially parallel to a side plane (S), wherein the first arm (4) is integrally connected to the central section (2) and extends from the central section (2) predominantly along a longitudinal axis (L) lying in the side plane (S), wherein the first arm (4) has an inner support section (42) which is spaced from the side plane (S) by a first spring travel (A1). [2] Spring element (1) according to claim 1, having a second arm (6) which is integrally connected to the central section (2) on the side facing away from the first arm (4) and extends predominantly along the longitudinal axis (L) from the central section (2), wherein the second arm (6) has an inner support section (62) which is spaced from the side plane (S) by a second spring travel (A2). [3] Spring element (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first spring travel (A1) is equal to the second spring travel (A2). [4] Spring element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm (4) has an inner arm section (44) and an outer arm section (46), wherein the inner support section (42) of the first arm (4) is arranged between the inner and the outer arm sections (44, 46), the first and second arm sections (44, 46) do not extend parallel to each other. [5] Spring element (1) according to claim 4, wherein in a stress-free state of the spring element (1) the principal extension direction of the inner arm section (44) of the first arm (4) forms an angle of 100° to 170°, preferably 120° to 150° with the principal extension direction of the outer arm section (46) of the first arm (4). [6] Spring element (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the second arm (6) has an inner arm section (64) and an outer arm section (66), wherein the inner support section (62) of the second arm (6) is arranged between the inner and the outer arm sections (64, 66), wherein the first and second arm sections (64, 66) of the second arm (6) do not extend parallel to each other. [7] Spring element (1) according to claim 6, wherein in a stress-free state of the spring element (1) the principal extension direction of the inner arm section (64) of the second arm (6) forms an angle of 100° to 170°, preferably 120° to 150° with the principal extension direction of the outer arm section (66) of the second arm (6). [8] Spring element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm (4) has at its distal end, away from the central section (2), an outer support section (43) which is arranged closer to the lateral plane (S) than the inner support section (42) of the first arm (4) and preferably intersects the lateral plane (S). [9] Spring element (1) according to one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the second arm (6) has at its distal end, away from the central section (2), an outer support section (63) which is arranged closer to the lateral plane (S) than the inner support section (62) of the second arm (6) and preferably intersects the lateral plane (S). [10] Spring element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, having a third arm (8) which is integrally connected to the central section (2) and extends predominantly along a transverse axis (Q) from the central section (2), where the transverse axis (Q) is orthogonal to the side plane (S), wherein the third arm (8) preferably has an inner support section (82) and an outer support section (83) which is spaced from the side plane (S) by a second spring travel (A2). [11] Spring element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the central section (2) has at least one support nose (24) which projects perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and substantially parallel to the lateral plane (S) from the central section (2). [12] Spring element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, formed from an elastically deformable plastic, preferably polyoxymethylene (POM). [13] Window sill system (10) comprising a window sill (F), a window sill end cap (12) and a spring element (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the spring element (1) is arranged in a cavity provided at the window sill end (12) such that the central support surface (22) is supported at the window sill end (12) and the inner support section (42, 62) of at least the first arm (4), preferably of both arms (4, 6), is supported on the window sill (F), wherein a displacement of the window sill (F) parallel to the transverse axis (Q) in the direction of the window sill end (12) causes an elastic deformation of the spring element (1) and is cushioned by it. [14] Window sill system (10) according to claim 13, wherein the spring element (1) is designed according to claim 10, wherein the window sill (F) is spring-mounted with its underside on the third arm (8), wherein the third arm (8) pre-tensions the window sill (F) against a cover section (13) of the window sill termination (12). [15] Window sill system (10) according to one of claims 13 or 14, wherein a plurality of spring elements (1) are spaced apart from each other and preferably evenly distributed in the cavity of the window sill termination (12).

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