Portal structure for finishing and converting an opening in an exterior wall of a building and method for installing the portal structure

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a gantry structure for finishing and outfitting an opening in a perimeter wall of a building.

[0002] In addition, the present invention concerns a method for installing said gantry structure.

[0003] In particular, the present invention relates to a gantry structure, which is inserted in the opening of a perimeter wall to be finished externally with an insulating cladding and is fixed to the perimeter wall with the purpose of housing and supporting a respective shutter, such as a window, a French door, or a door. The gantry structure defines a housing sized for the corresponding shutter, delimits the opening with appropriately finished surfaces, thermally and acoustically insulates the shutter from the perimeter wall, and avoids creating thermal bridges along the perimeter wall around the shutters.STATE OF THE ART

[0004] In the construction and building renovation sector, it is known to install a gantry structure for finishing and outfitting an opening in a perimeter wall of a building. An example of a known structure is disclosed in document CN106703627.

[0005] Generally, the gantry structure comprises a base transverse element, two lateral uprights mounted on the base transverse element, and an upper transverse element, which is mounted on the lateral uprights and is provided with a housing for a rolling or packable shade system, such as, for example, a roller shutter.

[0006] Typically, the base transverse element, the lateral uprights, and the upper transverse element comprise mats of considerable thickness made of a thermally insulating material, such as, for example, Expanded Polystyrene foam (EPS). As a result, the dimensions of the gantry structure are significant.

[0007] When the installation operations of the gantry structure are carried out on the perimeter wall of a residential building, it is convenient to work on the external face of the building without accessing the inner spaces of the building, so as not to disturb the residents of the building.

[0008] According to the prior art, the gantry structure is installed in the opening of the perimeter wall on the outside of the building and, subsequently, an external insulating cladding is applied to the perimeter wall around the gantry structure.

[0009] In any case, due to the significant dimensions, in order to be correctly integrated into the face of the buildings, known gantry structures require that the external insulating cladding has a great and predetermined thickness.SUBJECT OF THE PATENT

[0010] One purpose of this invention is to produce a gantry structure of the type identified above that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0011] In accordance with this invention, a gantry structure for finishing and outfitting an opening in a perimeter wall of a building is provided, the gantry structure comprising: a base transverse element, which is at least partially made of a thermally insulating material and is configured to be mounted in the opening of the perimeter wall on the outside of the building; a pair of lateral uprights made at least partially of a thermally insulating material and configured to be mounted on the base transverse element on the outside of the building; and an upper transverse element configured to be mounted on the lateral uprights outside the building, the upper transverse element comprising a transverse wall, which is made of a thermally insulating material and is configured to delimit, together with the perimeter wall, a housing seat to house a rolling or packable shade system.

[0012] In particular, the base transverse element, the lateral uprights, and the upper transverse element are configured to be arranged projecting from the external insulating cladding of the perimeter wall.

[0013] Thanks to this invention, it is possible to integrate the gantry structure in the face of a building, irrespective of the thickness of the external insulating cladding to be applied to the perimeter wall. In particular, the slanting connecting portion of the transverse wall, lets rainwater quickly flow away.

[0014] Another purpose of this invention is to provide a method for installing a gantry structure that is free of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0015] In accordance with this invention, a method for installing a gantry structure in an opening in a perimeter wall of a building is provided, the method comprising the steps of: mounting a base transverse element on a lower edge of the opening of the perimeter wall on the outside of the building so that the base transverse element projects partially from the perimeter wall towards the outside of the building, wherein the base transverse element is made at least partially of a thermally insulating material; mounting a pair of lateral uprights on the base transverse element on the outside of the building so that each lateral upright projects partially from the perimeter wall towards the outside of the building, wherein each lateral upright is made at least partially of a thermally insulating material; and mounting an upper transverse element comprising a transverse wall on the lateral uprights on the outside of the building so that the transverse wall delimits, together with the perimeter wall of the building, a housing seat for housing a rolling or packable shade system, wherein the transverse wall is made of a thermally insulating material.

[0016] Thanks to this method, it is possible to install the gantry structure projecting from the face of the building, simply and quickly refurbishing the faces of buildings. In other words, the gantry structure represents an architectural element of the building face.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Additional features and advantages of this invention will be clear from the description that follows of its nonlimiting embodiments, with reference to the attached figures, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity and parts in cross-section, of a gantry structure produced in accordance with this invention and installed on a building face; Figure 2 is a rear view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the gantry structure in Figure 1; Figures 3-5 are cross-section views with parts removed for clarity, of corresponding details of the gantry structure in Figure 1; and Figures 6-8 are perspective views, with parts removed for clarity, of the gantry structure in Figure 1 in corresponding installation steps. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] With reference to Figure 1, the reference number 1 denotes, as a whole, a gantry structure arranged in an opening 2 of a building face 3.

[0019] In the example described and illustrated here, which does not limit this invention, the face 3 comprises a perimeter wall 4, an external insulating cladding 5, and an external finishing layer 6.

[0020] The layering of the face 3 illustrated in Figure 1 is merely provided as an example and, in practice, may assume configurations other than that illustrated. In particular, the face 3 may comprise an inner finishing layer, not shown in the attached figures.

[0021] In general, the gantry structure 1 performs the functions of supporting an internal shutter and a rolling shade system, not shown in the attached figures, to insulate the shutters on the perimeter wall 4 and to finish the free surfaces of the perimeter wall 4.

[0022] In accordance with one embodiment not shown in the attached figures, the shade system comprises a roller shutter and the gantry structure 1 also performs the functions of guiding the roller shutter in the opening and closing strokes. In addition, the internal shutter may comprise a window or a door or a French door.

[0023] The gantry structure 1 comprises a base transverse element 7, which is made at least partially of a thermally insulating material and is configured to be mounted in the opening 2 of the perimeter wall 4 on the outside of the building; a pair of lateral uprights 8 made at least partially of a thermally insulating material and configured to be mounted on the base transverse element 7 on the outside of the building; and an upper transverse element 9 configured to be mounted on the lateral uprights 8 on the outside of the building.

[0024] The upper transverse element 9 comprises a transverse wall 10, which is made of a thermally insulating material, is provided with a slanting connecting portion 11, and is configured to delimit, together with the perimeter wall 4, a housing seat 12 for housing a rolling shade system, not shown in the attached figures.

[0025] In practice, the base transverse element 7, the lateral uprights 8, and the upper transverse element 9 are configured to project from the perimeter wall 4 and from the insulating cladding 5 towards the outside of the building.

[0026] In particular, the base transverse element 7, the lateral uprights 8, and the upper transverse element 9 are configured to be arranged in relief against the insulating cladding 5.

[0027] In particular, the base transverse element 7 extends along a base axis A1 and is configured to rest on a lower edge of the opening 2 of the perimeter wall 4.

[0028] Each lateral upright 8 is mounted resting on the base transverse element 7 and extends along a direction basically perpendicular to the base axis A1. In other words, each lateral upright 8 identifies an angle of approximately 90° with the base transverse element 7.

[0029] More specifically, the lateral uprights 8 are arranged at the sides of the opening 2 of the perimeter wall 4 and are parallel to and facing each other.

[0030] In this case, described and shown here, the upper transverse element 9 is mounted resting on the upper portions of the lateral uprights 8 and faces the base transverse element 7.

[0031] In particular, the upper transverse element 9 extends in a direction basically parallel to the base axis A1.

[0032] In addition, the gantry structure 1 comprises a pair of sliding guides 13 (only one of which is visible in Figure 1), which are embedded in the corresponding lateral uprights 8 and are configured to guide the sliding of the rolling shade system along the lateral uprights 8.

[0033] With reference to Figure 2, a rear view of the upper transverse element 9 is shown wherein the perimeter wall 4 has been removed.

[0034] The upper transverse element 9 comprises two lateral walls 14, which are made of thermally insulating material and are configured to delimit the housing seat 12 together with the transverse wall 10 and the perimeter wall 4 of the building, which is not shown in Figure 2.

[0035] In particular, each lateral wall 14 is arranged resting on the corresponding lateral upright 8.

[0036] More specifically, the upper transverse element 9 comprises a finishing layer 15, which externally clads the transverse wall 10 and the lateral walls 14. The finishing layer 15 is preferably made of a material comprising cementitious resin.

[0037] In addition, the gantry structure 1 comprises a rotating shaft 16, which is housed in the housing seat 12 of the upper transverse element 9 and is configured to wind and unwind a rolling shade system, not shown in the attached figures; and a pair of lateral supports 17, each of which is coupled to the corresponding lateral upright 8 and is configured to support, so that it rotates, the rotating shaft 16.

[0038] In particular, the rotating shaft 16 extends along a rotation axis A2 and is configured to rotate around the rotation axis A2. More specifically, the rotation axis A2 is basically parallel to the base axis A1.

[0039] With reference to Figure 3, the connecting portion 11 of the transverse wall 10 is curved.

[0040] In addition, the gantry structure 10 comprises a flat portion 18, which is integral with the connecting portion 11 and extends in a first direction D1; and a flat portion 19, which is integral with the connecting portion 11 and extends in a direction D2 basically perpendicular to the first direction D1.

[0041] In particular, the direction D1 is basically parallel to the perimeter wall 4 and the direction D2 is basically perpendicular to the perimeter wall 4.

[0042] In the example described and illustrated here, the flat portion 19 is configured to be arranged to abut against the perimeter wall 4. In this way, the transverse wall 10 and the perimeter wall 4 enclose the housing seat 12 on three sides.

[0043] In addition, the flat portion 19 is configured to be arranged flush with the insulating cladding 5 of the perimeter wall 4. In other words, the flat portion 19 is configured to be covered by the insulating cladding 5, preferably for the whole extension of the flat portion 19.

[0044] In the example described and illustrated herein, which does not limit this invention, the transverse wall 10 comprises an outflow element 28 configured to encourage the outflow of liquids, such as rainwater, from the upper transverse element 9.

[0045] In particular, the outflow element 28 is shaped slanting and is coupled to the lower end of the flat portion 18 of the transverse wall.

[0046] More specifically, the outflow element 28 comprises a drainer.

[0047] With reference to Figure 4, each lateral upright 8 comprises a mat 20 made of a thermally insulating material, such as Expanded Polystyrene foam (EPS) or Extruded Polystyrene (XPS), or mineral wool, and a finishing layer 21, which externally covers, at least partially, the mat 20 and is preferably made of a material comprising cementitious resin.

[0048] Each lateral upright 8 comprises an elongated element 22 and an elongated element 23, which is coupled to the elongated element 22 and is configured to be arranged in relief in relation to the insulating cladding 5 of the perimeter wall 4. In particular, the elongated elements 22 and 23 are coupled to interlock with each other.

[0049] With reference to Figure 5, the base transverse element 7 comprises a mat 24 made of a thermally insulating material, such as Expanded Polystyrene foam (EPS), or Extruded Polystyrene (XPS), or mineral wool; a pair of assembly guides 25, each of which is arranged at a corresponding end of the base transverse element 7; and a finishing layer 26, which externally covers, at least partially, the mat 24 and is preferably made of a material comprising cementitious resin.

[0050] In particular, each assembly guide 25 extends along a direction basically perpendicular to the base axis A1 and is configured to be coupled with a lower portion of the corresponding lateral upright 8 so as to enable the mounting of the lateral upright 8 on the base transverse element 7.

[0051] In use, and with reference to Figure 6, the base transverse element 7 is mounted on the outside of the building on the lower edge of the opening 2 of the perimeter wall 4 so that the base transverse element 7 projects partially from the perimeter wall 4 towards the outside of the building.

[0052] Subsequently, with reference to Figure 7, the lateral uprights 8 are mounted on the outside of the building on the base transverse element 7, in particular on the assembly guides 25, so that each lateral upright 8 projects partially from the perimeter wall 4 towards the outside of the building. In addition, the rotating shaft 16 is mounted on lateral supports 17.

[0053] Once the lateral uprights 8 have been mounted on the base transverse element 7, the lateral uprights 8 are fastened to the perimeter wall 4 via fastening elements 27, such as, for example, clamps. In particular, the fastening elements 27 may be cemented in the perimeter wall 4 or may be fixed to the perimeter wall 4 via plugs.

[0054] At this point, with reference to Figure 8, the upper transverse element 9 is mounted on the outside of the building on the upper ends of the lateral uprights 8, so as to define, together with the base transverse element 7 and the lateral uprights 8, a thermally insulated frame on the perimeter wall 4. In particular, the flat portion 19 and the lateral walls 14 are arranged to abut against the perimeter wall 4 so as to delimit the housing seat 12 (Figures 1-3).

[0055] Once installed, the gantry structure 1 is sealed in the opening 2 by applying the insulating cladding 5 (Figures 1- 4) on the perimeter wall 4 around the gantry structure 1.

[0056] Finally, it is clear that, variations can be made to this invention in relation to the embodiment described without, however, departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Claims

1. A gantry structure for finishing and outfitting an opening of a perimeter wall of a building, the gantry structure (1) comprising: - a base transverse element (7), which is made at least partially of a thermally insulating material and is configured to be mounted in the opening (2) of the perimeter wall (4) on the outside of the building; - a pair of lateral uprights (8) made at least partially of a thermally insulating material and configured to be mounted on the base transverse element (7) on the outside of the building; and - an upper transverse element (9) configured to be mounted on the lateral uprights (8) outside the building, the upper transverse element (9) comprising a transverse wall (10), which is made of a thermally insulating material and is configured to delimit, together with the perimeter wall (4), a housing seat (12) to house a rolling or packable shade system.

2. The gantry structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper transverse element (9) comprises two lateral walls (14), which are made of a thermally insulating material and are configured to delimit the housing seat (12) together with the transverse wall (10) and the perimeter wall (4) of the building.

3. The gantry structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the upper transverse element (9) comprises a first finishing layer (15), which externally covers the transverse wall (10) and the lateral walls (14) and is preferably made of a material comprising a cementitious resin.

4. The gantry structure as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein the transverse wall (10) is provided with a slanting connecting portion (11), preferably curved.

5. The gantry structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the transverse wall (10) comprises a first flat portion (18), which is integral with the connecting portion (11) and extends in a first direction (D1); and a second flat portion (19), which is integral with the connecting portion (11) and extends in a second direction (D2) substantially perpendicular to the first direction (D1).

6. The gantry structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second flat portion (19) is configured to be arranged to abut against the perimeter wall (4).

7. The gantry structure as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the second flat portion (19) is configured to be arranged flush with an external insulating cladding (5) of the perimeter wall (4).

8. The gantry structure as claimed in any one of the previous claims, and comprising a pair of sliding guides (13), which are embedded in the corresponding lateral uprights (8) and are configured to guide the sliding of the shade system along the lateral uprights (8).

9. The gantry structure as claimed in any one of the previous claims, and comprising a rotating shaft (16), which is housed in the housing seat (12) of the upper transverse element (9) and is configured to wind and unwind a rolling shade system; and a pair of lateral supports (17), each of which is coupled to the corresponding lateral upright (8) and is configured to support rotatably the rotating shaft (16).

10. The gantry structure as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein each lateral upright (8) comprises a first elongated element (22) and a second elongated element (23), which is coupled to the first elongated element (22) and is configured to be arranged in relief against an external insulating cladding (5) of the perimeter wall (4).

11. The gantry structure as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the base transverse element (7) comprises a first mat (24) made of a thermally insulating material, and a second finishing layer (26), which externally clads, at least partially, the first mat (24) and is preferably made of a material comprising a cementitious resin.

12. The gantry structure as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein each lateral upright (8) comprises a second mat (20) made of a thermally insulating material, and a third finishing layer (21), which externally clads, at least partially, the second mat (20) and is preferably made of a material comprising a cementitious resin.

13. The gantry structure as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein the base transverse element (7) comprises a pair of assembly guides (25), each of which is arranged at a corresponding end of the base transverse element (7).

14. The gantry structure as claimed in claim 13, wherein each lateral upright (8) is configured to be coupled with a corresponding assembly guide (25) so as to be mounted on the base transverse element (7).

15. A method for installing the gantry structure according to any of claims 1-14 in an opening of a perimeter wall of a building, the method comprising the steps of: - mounting a base transverse element (7) on a lower edge of the opening (2) of the perimeter wall (4) on the outside of the building so that the base transverse element (7) projects partially from the perimeter wall (4) towards the outside of the building, wherein the base transverse element (7) is made at least partially of a thermally insulating material; - mounting a pair of lateral uprights (8) on the base transverse element (7) on the outside of the building so that each lateral upright (8) projects partially from the perimeter wall (4) towards the outside of the building, wherein each lateral upright (8) is made at least partially of a thermally insulating material; and - mounting an upper transverse element (9) comprising a transverse wall (10) on the lateral uprights (8) on the outside of the building so that the transverse wall (10) delimits, together with the perimeter wall (4) of the building, a housing seat (12) for housing a rolling or packable shade system, wherein the transverse wall (10) is made of a thermally insulating material.