Covering cap for water outlet openings in hollow profiles

Abstract

A cover cap (2) for water drainage openings in hollow profiles of a window or door frame, in particular a frame, is described, comprising a cover wall, an edge web projecting from the cover wall which can be placed against the hollow profile and which edge web defines a contact plane (A) of the cover cap (2) on the hollow profile and has at least one opening for the unimpeded drainage of water, and at least one retaining element for fixing the cover cap (2) to the hollow profile, which is characterized in that an element (2f) movable between a first state and a second state is provided in an interior space of the cover cap (2) bounded by the edge web, which element (2f) comprises a rigid support part (2g) and on its side facing or to be faced with the contact plane (A) a flexible sealing element (2h), wherein a) in the first state the sealing element (2h) is moved away from the contact plane (A),and b) in the second state the sealing element (2h) is located in or on the system plane (A).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cover cap for water drainage openings in hollow profiles of a window or door frame, in particular a frame, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a window or door frame composed of hollow profiles, in particular a window frame, which frame has at least one water drainage opening, according to claim 14.

[0003] A generic cover cap for water drainage openings in hollow profiles of a window or door frame is known from DE 20 2004 002 287 U1, which also refers to other generic cover caps. Such cover caps are often referred to in specialist circles as water slot cover caps or water slot caps. They serve – particularly for aesthetic reasons – to cover water drainage openings that are regularly present or must be present in the aforementioned hollow profiles. They are also intended to prevent dirt from penetrating the window or door frame (frame) from the outside.

[0004] Further cover caps are known from DE 10 2018 110 514 A1 and from the other publications DE 37 22 550 A1, DE 84 06 312 U1 and DE 84 17 268 U1.

[0005] KR 2008-0007759 A discloses a window and door frame with a drainage system for condensate that collects on the inside of an inserted pane. A water container arranged in a corresponding hollow profile can be manually swung out, to which container a condensate drain element is also pivotably attached. The drain element has a so-called adsorption plate (apparently similar to a sealing lip), which is in turn manually applied to the pane by a user. Condensate then runs down the drain element, flows into the container, and this container—when full—is swung back into the profile, allowing the water to drain through the profile.

[0006] Window, door and corresponding sliding systems are exposed to varying degrees of wind and driving rain during use. The tightness between the frame (outer frame) and sash level is achieved through one or more sealing levels. While a outer frame is permanently installed in the reveal of a door or window opening, a sash is the movable, openable part of the window or door. In practice, however, the outer sealing level of the frame cannot completely prevent the stresses of wind or the ingress of water. For this reason, so-called drainage openings or drainage slots or water drainage openings are installed in the rebate space behind the outer sealing level of the frame and on the outer surface of the frame. These allow penetrating water to flow out of the frame in a controlled manner.To ensure this function, additional pressure equalization holes must be provided in the outer sealing layer for high loads. This usually takes the form of holes in the frame overlap or in the form of seal cutouts. However, such openings are often perceived by the public as a visual defect. Furthermore, the outer sealing layer loses its function of improving airtightness, and there is also a risk of the rebate space cooling down, which can lead to thermal disadvantages for the entire window or door construction.

[0007] In systems with only one external sealing layer, such as sliding windows, the provision of the aforementioned drainage openings creates pressure equalization from the inside to the outside in the frame rebate. This prevents a pressure gradient from building up, and in the event of prolonged elevated external pressure, water is no longer drained from the inside to the outside. In extreme situations, such as persistently high external pressure under test conditions, water can even be forced into the frame through the drainage openings. Furthermore, as already mentioned, the provision of these openings significantly impairs airtightness.

[0008] The systems described above achieve only low airtightness classes and correspondingly poor driving rain performance within the (low) available water retention height. Systems with multiple sealing levels require pressure equalization openings to achieve higher airtightness values.

[0009] The invention is based on the object of dispensing with the provision of pressure equalization openings while maintaining consistently high sealing properties. Additionally or alternatively, the invention is based on the object of reliably preventing the penetration of water and wind pressure through the drainage openings while simultaneously allowing drainage. In this way, a high sealing class should be achievable even in window or door systems with only one sealing level, such as sliding doors or sliding windows.

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention by a cover cap having the features of patent claim 1 and by a window and door frame composed of hollow profiles having the features of patent claim 14. Advantageous further developments of the inventive idea are the subject of subclaims.

[0011] According to the invention, a cover cap for water drainage openings in hollow profiles of a window or door frame, in particular a frame, with a cover wall, an edge web that can be placed against the hollow profile from the outside and projects from the cover wall, which edge web defines a contact plane of the cover cap on the hollow profile and has at least one opening for the unhindered drainage of water from the hollow profile to the outside, and at least one holding element for fixing the cover cap on the outside of the hollow profile, wherein in an interior of the cover cap delimited by the edge web, an element is provided that is movable between a first state and a second state within the interior, which movable element is designed such that it assumes the first or the second state automatically or depending on relative pressure conditions applied to the element, characterized in thatthat the movable element comprises a rigid support part and, on its side facing the contact plane in an assembly state fixed to the hollow profile, a flexible sealing element, wherein a) in the first state the sealing element is moved outwards away from the contact plane, and b) in the second state the sealing element is located in or on the contact plane.

[0012] A window or door frame according to the invention, in particular a frame, which is composed of hollow profiles, has at least one water drainage opening for the outflow of water from the respective hollow profile, which is covered with a cover cap according to the invention.

[0013] The aforementioned retaining element can be specifically designed as a projection, locking lug, or the like. However, embodiments in which the retaining element is designed as a material-to-material fixation, e.g., as an adhesive element, adhesive tape, adhesive layer, or the like, are also intended to fall within the scope of protection of the claims.

[0014] At first glance, the water drainage openings or drainage holes mentioned are intended to fulfil two contradictory functions. Firstly, as described at the beginning, any water that enters must be able to be drained out in a controlled manner. However, particularly in systems with an external sealing layer, the drainage must also be closed in the event of increased external pressure, for example due to a gust of wind, in order to ensure airtightness and to prevent annoying noise and water from being forced in through the water drainage openings. For this purpose, the invention provides a movable element in the interior of the cover cap, which closes the water drainage opening in one state, for example when there is a correspondingly high external pressure, while in another state, for example when there is a corresponding amount of water inside, it opens the drainage. For this purpose, the movable element orIn the aforementioned first state, the sealing element is moved away from the contact plane (sealing plane) (drainage position). In a second state, however, the movable element or the sealing element is located in or on the contact plane to close the water drainage openings (closing state). In this way, a type of check mechanism can be realized, for example, by equipping a commercially available water slot cover cap with a movable flap, flag, or membrane.

[0015] Within the scope of the present invention, one-piece or multi-piece variants are generally feasible. For example, the movable element can be designed as one piece with the rest of the cover cap. However, it is also possible to retrofit an otherwise commercially available cover cap with a movable element, for example, by subsequently bonding a membrane to a commercially available cover cap.

[0016] In a further development of the present invention, it can also be provided that a cover cap according to the invention is attached to both internal openings and external openings of window frames.

[0017] For the sake of completeness, particularly advantageous developments of the cover caps according to the invention, as defined in the subclaims, will now be briefly discussed in more detail: In a particular development of the cover cap according to the invention, the movable element can be movably mounted about a pivot axis oriented parallel to the contact plane. This allows for the realization of cover caps that open and close securely and easily.

[0018] In another development of the cover cap according to the invention, the movable element, in an unloaded basic state, can assume a state that differs from the second state (i.e., the closed state), preferably by designing the movable element such that a center of gravity of the movable element, in the second state, is displaced relative to the pivot axis in the direction of the contact plane. In the assembled state, the contact plane will generally be oriented vertically, i.e., parallel to the direction of gravity (gravitational acceleration g). The movable element then automatically leaves the closed position without external load from wind or water.

[0019] As already explained, in a particular refinement of the cover cap according to the invention, the movable element can be formed integrally with the rest of the cover cap. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to form the movable element as a separate component from the rest of the cover cap. This also makes it possible to retrofit conventional cover caps.

[0020] In yet another refinement of the cover cap according to the invention, the movable element can be movably connected to the remaining cover cap. Such a connection is preferably frictionally connected, positively connected (e.g., by clipping), or firmly bonded, for example, by gluing or welding. Both the movable element and the remaining cover cap are typically made of a plastic material, with the aforementioned connection types being particularly suitable.

[0021] Preferably, but without limitation, the cover cap itself may be made of a thermoplastic material, while the movable element in the region of the carrier part is made of a thermoplastic material.

[0022] The preferred material for the production of the sealing element is a soft material, preferably natural rubber, EPDM, silicone or the like.

[0023] In a special embodiment, the sealing element can be molded onto the carrier part. For this purpose, the carrier part can have a widening aperture at the end, through which the sealing element material extends to form a positive fit. This also makes the sealing element easily replaceable by removing it and replacing it with a new sealing element, which engages (positively) in or through the aperture with a suitably shaped projection. In principle, however, the sealing element can also be attached to the carrier part in other ways, e.g., by gluing.

[0024] It has already been pointed out that the movable element can be a flap, a flag, or a membrane, wherein preferably a surface of the flap, flag, or membrane facing away from the interior can be placed against the hollow profile with the sealing element in a first state or is located in the contact plane in order to close a water drainage opening formed there. Such a flap, flag, or membrane can have a material thickness of 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm, without limitation.

[0025] In a further development of the invention, the cover cap can be equipped with a return mechanism, through which the movable element, in the second state, experiences a return force toward the first state. Such a cover cap thus preferably ensures that the water drainage openings are normally open.

[0026] Alternatively, however, the cover cap can also be equipped with a return mechanism, through which the movable element in the first state experiences a return force toward the second state. Such a design of the cover cap ensures that the water drainage openings are closed in a normal state.

[0027] It is also within the scope of the invention to dispense entirely with such a preferential position and to design the cover cap without a return mechanism, so that the position of the movable element depends exclusively on the currently prevailing relative pressure conditions.

[0028] In a further development of the frame according to the invention, the cover cap, with its retaining element, is inserted into the water drainage opening of the frame. This protects the water drainage opening while still allowing it to fully fulfill its drainage function.

[0029] The cover cap can be further developed so that the support part is wider than the sealing element. This can improve the stability of the assembly.

[0030] The cover cap can also be designed so that the support part and the sealing element have the same width. This can improve the sealing effect.

[0031] The cover cap can further be developed such that the sealing element has a width that corresponds to the width of the opening to be sealed. This can further improve the sealing effect because the sealing element engages sealingly in the opening to be sealed. However, the invention is not limited to this; the sealing element can also cover the opening to be sealed if it has larger dimensions (particularly in width).

[0032] The cover cap can also be provided with at least two spaced-apart retaining elements, the spacing of which corresponds to the width of the opening. This allows for the greatest possible functional integration.

[0033] Finally, the cover cap can also be designed such that the support part has a bend at its free end that is oriented toward the sealing element and / or, at least in the second state, toward the contact plane. This bend serves as an attack surface for wind, so that the movable element or flap can be triggered even at minimal wind load to close the (further) opening. This design thus advantageously supports the triggering mechanism at low pressure levels.

[0034] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a hollow profile element with a cover cap according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective overall view of a possible embodiment of the cover cap according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a cross-section through the cover cap approximately according to Figure 2 in a first state; Figure 4 shows a cross section through the cover cap approximately according to Figure 2 in a second state; and Figure 5 shows a detail of the cover cap from Figures 2 to 4 .

[0035] In Figure 1A hollow profile element made of plastic is shown in cross-section, which hollow profile element is designated overall by the reference numeral 1. Such hollow profile elements 1 are used to produce so-called blind frames for doors and / or window openings. The blind frame is a frame that is permanently installed in a window or door opening and which accommodates a movable (sash) frame of the window or door and covers it in the edge areas. Hollow profile elements 1 are usually manufactured according to Figure 1 mitered and then assembled into a completely closed frame. This is well known to those skilled in the art.

[0036] Profile element 1 according to Figure 1 According to its name, it has a large number of hollow chambers, of which Figure 1only a few are designated by reference numeral 1a. In an exterior wall 1b, which is located outside when the hollow profile element 1 is used as intended, the hollow profile element 1 has a water drainage opening at reference numeral 1c, so that, for example, moisture that has penetrated between the sash frame (not shown) and the frame in the case of driving rain can be drained outwards. For this purpose - as the person skilled in the art knows - suitable drainage openings are provided in the hollow profile element 1 between the hollow chambers, which are Figure 1 are not shown.

[0037] For aesthetic reasons in particular, the water drainage openings 1c are regularly provided with so-called cover caps (water slot cover caps). Reference numeral 2 in Figure 1denotes such a cover cap according to the invention. The cover cap 2 has a cover wall 2a, an edge web 2b that can be placed against the outer wall 1b of the hollow profile 1 and projects from the cover wall 2a, as well as at least one holding element 2c, which holding element 2c serves to fix the cover cap 2 to a hollow profile 1. The edge web 2b defines with its free end or edge a contact plane of the cover cap 2 on the hollow profile, which contact plane according to Figure 1 coincides with an outer surface of the outer wall 1b. In addition, the edge web 2b has at least one opening 2d for the unhindered drainage of water, which flows out of the hollow profile element 1 through the water drainage opening 1c. According to the illustration in Figure 1When the cover cap 2 is used as intended, the opening 2d is oriented downwards in the installed state so that the water can escape unhindered from the cover cap 2 in the direction of gravity g. In addition, the edge web 2b defines an interior space 2e of the cover cap 2. In this interior space 2e, a movable element is provided, which in the design according to Figure 1 as a flap, vane or membrane 2f. The movable element or the flap / vane / membrane 2f is located according to Figure 1in the area of ​​the water drainage opening 1c from the outside on the hollow profile 1 and can thus close the water drainage opening 1c. This state is also referred to in the present description as the "first state", in which the movable element 2f is essentially located in the above-defined contact plane in order to close the water drainage opening 1c. In this context, the term "essentially" means that the movable element 2f does not have to be arranged completely in the said contact plane, because it is sufficient if this is the case in the area of ​​the water drainage opening 1c. In this way, in the Figure 1Although no water can escape from the hollow profile element 1 in the first state shown, it is guaranteed that in the event of higher external pressure, for example in the event of a gust of wind, airtightness is ensured and noise development as well as water being pushed in through the water drainage opening 1c is prevented. Since the flap / flag / membrane 2f mentioned is a movable element, if there is a sufficient amount of water inside the hollow profile element 1, the water drainage opening can be opened again by the water pressure, so that the water drains through the water drainage opening 1c. The movable element can also be designed such that it leaves the water drainage opening 1c open in its (unloaded) basic position. This will be discussed further below.

[0038] Figure 2shows a perspective overall view of a possible design of the cover cap 2. The movable element 2f is designed as a flap which pivots about a pivot axis running transversely to a front edge or front surface 2b' of the edge web 2b (cf. Figures 3 to 5 ) is pivotally articulated within the cover cap 2. At reference numeral 2g, the movable element 2f has a rigid (dimensionally stable) support part. At reference numeral 2h, the movable element 2f has a flexible (soft) sealing element, e.g. made of a soft material, preferably natural rubber, EPDM, silicone or the like, which sealing element 2h is intended to close a further opening 2d' connected to the opening 2d when the flap 2f is in a certain (second) state (see below Figures 3 to 5). Support part 2g and sealing element 2h have the same width B. The holding elements 2c themselves protrude from the said front surface 2b' and have locking lugs to fix the cover cap 2 to a hollow profile element 1 ( Figure 1 ) in a conventional manner. They frame the further opening 2d', so that their distance a corresponds exactly to a width b of this opening 2d'. In this case, the width B is greater than the width b or the distance a.

[0039] In the cross-sectional view according to Figure 3The movable element 2f is shown in a first state in which it exposes the (further) opening 2d, 2d' for the purpose of dissipating moisture. The movable element 2f can in turn be designed as a separate component and preferably be non-positively connected to the remaining cover cap 2 (e.g., clipped in); for this purpose, the cover cap has, at reference numeral 2i, a rib or the like extending into the interior 2e, to which the movable element 2f is pivotally connected (reference numeral SA denotes the associated pivot axis, which extends into the plane of the drawing). Reference numeral A denotes the contact plane already defined above.

[0040] As can be seen, the support part 2g of the movable element 2f can have a bend 2ga at its free end in the direction of the sealing element 2h or in the direction of the contact plane A (see also Figure 4). This angled section 2ga serves as a surface for wind attack, allowing the movable element 2f (flap) to be triggered even at minimal wind load to close the (further) opening 2d'. The design shown thus supports the triggering mechanism at low pressure levels.

[0041] In Figure 4 the cover cap 2 is made of Figure 3 shown in a second state. From Figure 4It can be seen that the movable element 2f, which in turn is designed in the form of a flap with a carrier part 2g and a sealing element 2h, is arranged in the second state shown with its front side or surface 2f' (of the sealing element 2h) facing away from the interior 2e of the cover cap 2, precisely in or on the aforementioned contact plane A, in order to securely close a water drainage opening in the hollow profile in this way. In particular, the sealing element 2h engages precisely in the opening 2d' and closes it, so that moisture, air or the like can get into or out of the hollow profile. In this case, the width of at least the sealing element 2h (cf. Figure 2 ) is equal to the width of the opening 2d' or the distance between the holding elements 2c (cf. Figure 2 ).

[0042] How to specifically Figure 4As can be seen, the sealing element 2h can be molded onto the carrier part 2g. This is not limited to the design according to Figure 4 limited. In principle, the sealing element 2h can also be attached to the support part in another way, e.g., glued.

[0043] The support part 2g has a terminally widening aperture 2gb through which the material of the sealing element 2h extends to form a positive fit with a projection or extension 2ha. The sealing element 2h is thus also easily replaceable by being removed and replaced with a new sealing element, which in turn engages (positively) into or through the aperture 2gb with a suitably shaped projection 2ha.

[0044] Due to its design, the movable element 2f preferably assumes a position in its basic state (ie without wind load from outside or water pressure from inside) which is between Figure 3(first state) and Figure 4 (second state).

[0045] This is in Figure 5 shown in detail, which figure shows the movable element 2f of the cover cap in the second state, in which the movable element 2f is located with its front side 2f' in the contact plane A (cf. Figures 3 and 4 ). The movable element 2f is constructed (shaped) and mounted in such a way that its (mass) center of gravity SP in the installed state (installation plane A vertically aligned in the direction of gravity or gravitational acceleration g) is not located exactly below the pivot axis SA, but is slightly offset inwards (in the direction of the hollow profile or the front side 2f'). In this way, the movable element 2f experiences a (restoring) force F according to the Figure 5 arrow to the left, so that it then automatically returns to the first state according to Figure 3 However, this goal is only partially achieved ( Figure 3represents an extreme position of the movable element 2f, in which it rests against the cover wall 2a from the inside - maximum opening or release of the openings 2d, 2d'). In practice, the basic state is between the states according to Figure 3 and Figure 4 lay.

[0046] Based on the Figures 3 to 5 The above embodiments of the invention were described in which the movable element 2f, in the second state, experiences a restoring force in the direction of the first state. The water drainage openings are then open in a basic state and only close when there is sufficiently great external (wind) pressure. It is also fundamentally within the scope of the invention to configure these conditions in exactly the opposite way, so that the movable element is normally in the described second state. It only moves into the described first state when there is sufficiently great (internal) pressure on the movable element.

[0047] Of course, designs are also possible in which the movable element does not have a specific rest position; it will then assume either the first or the second state depending on the prevailing pressure conditions - depending on whether external or internal pressure predominates.

Claims

1. Covering cap (2) for water drainage openings (1c) in hollow profiles (1) of a window frame or door frame, in particular a blind frame, with a cover wall (2a), an edge bar (2b) which can be placed against the hollow profile (1) from the outside and projects from the cover wall (2a), which edge bar (2b) defines a contact plane (A) of the covering cap (2) on the hollow profile (1) and has at least one aperture (2d, 2d') for the unimpeded drainage of water out of the hollow profile (1) to the outside, and at least one holding element (2c) for fixing the covering cap (2) to the outside of the hollow profile (1), wherein, in an interior space (2e) of the covering cap (2) delimited by the edge bar (2b), an element (2f) movable between a first state and a second state within the interior space (2e) is provided, which movable element (2f) is designed in such a way that it assumes the first or the second state automatically or depending on the relative pressure ratios applied to the element (2f), characterised in that the movable element (2f) comprises a rigid support part (2g) and a flexible sealing element (2h) on its side facing the contact plane (A) in an assembly state fixed to the hollow profile (1), wherein a) in the first state, the sealing element (2h) is moved outwards away from the contact plane (A), and b) in the second state, the sealing element (2h) is located in or on the contact plane (A).

2. Covering cap (2) according to claim 1, in which the movable element (2f) is mounted so as to be movable about a pivot axis (SA) oriented parallel to the contact plane (A).

3. Covering cap (2) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the movable element (2f) assumes, in an unloaded basic state, a state deviating from the second state, preferably on account of the movable element (2f) being designed such that a centre of gravity of the movable element (2f) is displaced, in the second state, in the direction of the contact plane (A) in relation to the pivot axis (SA) according to claim 2.

4. Covering cap (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the movable element (2f) is designed integrally with the remaining covering cap (2).

5. Covering cap (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the movable element (2f) is designed as a separate component from the rest of the covering cap (2).

6. Covering cap (2) according to claim 5, in which the movable element (2f) is movably connected to the rest of the covering cap (2), preferably in a force-fit, form-fit or material-fit manner, most preferably bonded or welded.

7. Covering cap (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the movable element (2f) is a flap, a vane or a membrane, wherein preferably a surface of the flap, vane or membrane facing away from the interior space (2e) can be placed, in the first state, with the sealing element (2h) against the hollow profile (1) or is located in the contact plane (A).

8. Covering cap (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, having a restoring mechanism by means of which the movable element (2f) experiences, in the second state, a restoring force (F) in the direction of the first state.

9. Covering cap (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the support part (2g) is designed wider than the sealing element (2h).

10. Covering cap (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the support part (2g) and the sealing element (2h) have a same width (B).

11. Covering cap (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the sealing element (2h) has a width (B) corresponding to a width (b) of the aperture (2d').

12. Covering cap (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, with at least two holding elements (2c) spaced-apart from each other, the spacing (a) of which corresponds to a width (b) of the aperture (2d').

13. Covering cap (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which the support part (2g) has at its free end an angled portion (2ga) which is oriented in the direction of the sealing element (2h) and / or, at least in the second state, in the direction of the contact plane (A).

14. Window frame or door frame composed of hollow profiles (1), in particular a blind frame, which frame has at least one water drainage opening (1c) for the outward flow of water from the relevant hollow profile (1), which water drainage opening is covered by a covering cap (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. Frame according to claim 14, in which the covering cap (2) is inserted with its holding element (2c) into the water drainage opening (1c).

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