STECKZARGE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a plug-in frame in the sense of a frame consisting of at least two frame elements that can be plugged into each other.

[0002] Frames are an integral part of many doors and windows and form the frame into which door leaves or window sashes are inserted in a building opening.

[0003] Door and door frames are often installed in the designated openings, particularly wall openings, during the construction of a building. One-piece frames, also known as wrap-around frames, are typically used for this purpose. These frames encircle the wall on both sides of the opening with an approximately U-shaped profile and are installed during the wall's construction.

[0004] For retrofitting, plug-in frames, also called two-part frames, are particularly suitable because they can be conveniently installed in existing building openings. These are divided into two frame elements, for example, a rebate element and a counter element, each of which only encloses the building opening on one side and is joined together during installation in the opening.

[0005] The frame elements consist of various frame parts, which, depending on the manufacturing type of the plug-in frame, are either already connected or are connected during assembly. A plug-in frame for a door typically has two side pieces and one head piece per frame element.

[0006] Plug-in frames are mostly made of metal, especially preferably steel.

[0007] When installing plug-in frames, the frame elements are plugged into each other from opposite sides of a building opening and mounted in it.

[0008] In this process, the frame elements, often differentiated as opening-side and closing-side frame elements in the case of door or window frames, are connected to each other and to the building structure surrounding the opening.

[0009] The connection of the plug-in frame elements to each other is usually done by screwing, whereby a screw is screwed through consecutive openings in the plug-in frame elements and the plug-in frame elements are thus fastened to each other.

[0010] The screws are fastened according to the state of the art in the sealing groove of the rebate of the frame, as the screw connection is barely visible there, and even completely invisible due to the insertion of a sealing profile into the sealing groove. The consecutive openings of the frame elements are arranged on the back wall of the sealing groove.

[0011] The problematic aspect of screwing the door frame elements together through the consecutive openings on the back wall of the sealing groove lies in the screwing process itself. This requires working very close to the inside of the frame element with a tool, usually a manual or electric screwdriver. Besides the potentially uncomfortable work due to the limited space, which can be alleviated by using appropriately long tools, there remains a significant risk of damaging the frame. Furthermore, installing door frames generally requires a ladder, as the working height for screwing in the frame head is typically more than 2 meters, and the screws must be driven in horizontally at this height.

[0012] From GB 2 276 186 A, a plug-in frame is already known which has at least two frame elements consisting of frame parts, a rebate and a sealing groove running around the rebate, wherein the frame elements each have at least two connecting openings which are located one behind the other in a position of the plug-in frame aligned for assembly in a building opening, wherein the connecting openings of at least one frame part are arranged next to the sealing groove in the rebate of the plug-in frame.

[0013] It is therefore an object of the invention to create an extension frame that at least partially solves the aforementioned problems.

[0014] This problem is solved according to the invention by a plug-in frame according to claim 1. Advantageous aspects of the invention are claimed in the dependent claims.

[0015] For the following description, the building opening is defined as having a first outer surface on one side of the opening, a second outer surface on the opposite side, and an inner surface. The inner surface connects the outer surfaces and is also referred to as the reveal. The outer surfaces of the building opening are generally aligned approximately parallel to each other, while the inner surface is oriented approximately perpendicular to them.

[0016] This includes not only wall openings but also, in principle, openings in roofs, ceilings, and floors. For better understanding, the invention is primarily described using wall openings as an example.

[0017] A frame assembly according to the invention comprises at least two frame elements, a rebate, and a sealing groove running around the rebate. Each frame element has at least two connecting openings, which are arranged one behind the other in a position of the frame assembly oriented for installation in a building opening.

[0018] The connecting openings, arranged one behind the other, allow a connecting element, preferably a screw, to be inserted to join the frame elements during assembly.

[0019] In embodiments of the invention, the rear connecting opening has a smaller diameter than the front connecting opening, so that a sheet metal screw inserted to connect the frame elements cuts into the material, usually sheet metal, of the rear frame element. In embodiments of the invention, the front opening is chosen to be large enough that the thread of the sheet metal screw does not engage, but small enough that the head of the screw rests securely when tightened. For a 3.5 mm sheet metal screw, for example, the rear connecting opening is designed with a diameter of 2.5 mm and the front connecting opening with a diameter of 4 mm.

[0020] In other embodiments of the invention, at least the rear of the two connecting openings has an internal thread into which a screw can be inserted to connect the frame elements.

[0021] According to the invention, the connecting openings of at least one frame part of the frame elements are arranged next to the sealing groove of the rebate of the frame.

[0022] In the context of the invention, "next to the sealing groove" means that the connecting opening is not located in the sealing groove, but preferably in an area directly adjacent to the sealing groove. In embodiments of the invention, this area extends a maximum of 20 mm, preferably between 13.5 and 19.5 mm, next to the sealing groove and can thus be covered with a sealing profile. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting openings are arranged at a distance of approximately 15.5 mm from the sealing groove.

[0023] The inclination of the screw guide's longitudinal axis ensures that the frame components are pulled firmly together during assembly. In conventional plug-in frames, the longitudinal axis of the screw guide is aligned with the insertion direction of the frame elements, so that they are pulled together in the insertion direction when screwed in. In contrast, with the screw guide's orientation according to the invention, its main direction is perpendicular to the insertion direction of the frame elements. By inclining the longitudinal axis towards the rear wall of the rebate's sealing groove, i.e., in the insertion direction, the screw guide's orientation again incorporates an element in the insertion direction, thus ensuring that the frame elements are pulled together in the insertion direction during assembly and thereby guaranteeing the desired rebate depth.

[0024] Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the screw guide is inclined by 1° to 45°, more preferably by about 2.5° to 25°, and particularly preferably by about 5° to 10°, from the vertical orientation in the insertion direction.

[0025] Furthermore, the screw is now significantly easier for an installer to reach when connecting the frame elements, as it is no longer necessary to work so close to the frame. The head of a door or window frame can now potentially be installed without a ladder, as the screw can be inserted at an angle from below.

[0026] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the plug-in frame has a sealing profile arranged in the sealing groove, which has a recess in the area of ​​the connection openings for receiving at least one screw head. This ensures, firstly, that a conventional sealing profile is not deformed by the screw heads at the positions of the connection openings. Secondly, it ensures that the screw heads are covered by the sealing profile so that they are not visible.

[0027] The invention also covers embodiments in which the frame elements are disassembled into individual parts, for example into the headboard and the two side parts of a door frame.

[0028] The figures below illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. They show: Figure 1: A cross-section of a plug-in frame according to the prior art, Figure 2: A cross-section of a plug-in frame according to the invention in the area of ​​a connection of the frame elements, Figure 3: A perspective view of a section of a plug-in frame according to the invention and Figure 4: A perspective view of a plug-in frame according to the invention.

[0029] In Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a plug-in frame (1) according to the prior art. In the depicted section, the plug-in frame (1) has two consecutive connecting openings (5) in the two frame elements (2, 3). The connecting openings (5) are arranged on the back wall (7) of the sealing groove (6) of the rebate (4) such that the longitudinal axis L of the screw guide is aligned approximately parallel to the insertion direction S of the plug-in frame (1). The head of the screw (10) lies close to the inside of the first frame element (2) of the plug-in frame (1) throughout the entire screwing process.

[0030] Figure 2 Figure 1 shows a plug-in frame (1) in an embodiment according to the invention. This frame also has two frame elements (2, 3) that are plugged into one another and have connecting openings (5) located one behind the other, which provide a screw guide. The screw guide is arranged next to the sealing groove (6) in the rebate (4).

[0031] The longitudinal axis L of the screw guide is inclined at an angle of 5 to 10° in the insertion direction S from the axis perpendicular to the insertion direction S. This causes a force component to act in the insertion direction S when the screw (10) is tightened, so that the frame elements (2, 3) are pulled together in the insertion direction S. The insertion element (11) of the first frame element (2) is firmly seated in the corresponding receptacle in the second frame element (3) in the area of ​​the rear wall (7) of the sealing groove (6), and the frame elements (2, 3) achieve the intended rebate depth (T) and rebate width (B).

[0032] A sealing profile (8) is arranged in the sealing groove (6). The sealing profile (8) projects from the sealing groove (6) and covers the head of the screw (10). The sealing profile (8) has a recess (9) for receiving the head of the screw (10). In various embodiments of the invention, the recess (9) can be formed either only locally at the screwing positions of the frame elements (2, 3) or circumferentially around the entire sealing profile (8).

[0033] In Figure 3 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a section of a frame assembly (1) according to the invention. The frame elements (2, 3) are inserted into one another, and the connecting openings (5) arranged next to the sealing groove (6) in the rebate (4) in the first frame element (2) and second frame element (3) are each located one behind the other.

[0034] Figure 4Figure 1 shows a plug-in frame (1) according to the invention, designed as a door frame. The plug-in frame elements (2, 3) each have two side parts and a head part.

[0035] The frame elements (2, 3) are not inserted into each other, but are arranged in the position required for insertion relative to each other, so that the frame elements (2, 3) can be inserted into each other by moving the first frame element (2) in the insertion direction S.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the connecting openings (5) are arranged in the area of ​​the plug-in elements (11). This enables the force transmission of the connection of the frame elements (2, 3) directly at the optimal points.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment of a plug-in frame (1) all connection openings (5) are arranged next to the sealing groove (6).

Claims

1. Plug-in frame (1) comprising at least two frame elements (2, 3) consisting of frame parts, a rebate (4) and a sealing groove (6) arranged inside the rebate (4), wherein the frame elements (2, 3) each have at least two connecting openings (5) which are located one behind the other in a position of the plug-in frame (1) aligned for installation in a building opening, wherein the connecting openings (5) are arranged next to the sealing groove (6) in the rebate (4) of the plug-in frame (1), wherein the plug-in frame (1) has a plug-in direction (S) that runs perpendicular to the opposite sides of the building opening, characterized in that the longitudinal axis (L) of the screw guide formed by the connecting openings (5) arranged one behind the other next to the sealing groove (6) is inclined from the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction (S) in the direction of the rear wall (7) of the sealing groove (6), i.e. in the insertion direction (S) of the plug-in frame (1).

2. Plug-in frame (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal axis (L) of the screw guide is inclined by 1° to 45° from the vertical alignment in the plug-in direction (S).

3. Plug-in frame (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the longitudinal axis (L) of the screw guide is inclined by approximately 5° to 10° from the vertical alignment in the plug-in direction (S).

4. Plug-in frame (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a sealing profile (8) arranged in the sealing groove (6), which has a recess (9) in the area of the connecting openings (5) for receiving a screw head.

5. Plug-in frame (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear of the two connecting openings (5) has a smaller diameter than the front of the two connecting openings (5), so that a sheet metal screw (10) screwed in to connect the frame elements (2, 3) can engage with its thread in the rear frame element.

6. Plug-in frame (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least the rear of the two connecting openings (5) has an internal thread into which a screw (10) screwed in to connect the frame elements (2, 3) can engage.