OPENING OR FIXED FRAME IN THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL WITH CORNER REINFORCEMENTS
Single-piece thermoplastic inserts glued and welded into thermoplastic frames improve angle resistance and simplify assembly in joinery by increasing contact surface, addressing the inefficiencies of existing complex and costly inserts.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023007585
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-18
- Estimated Expiration
- 2033-07-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing thermoplastic frames in joinery, such as windows, face challenges in achieving optimal resistance at angles due to insufficient contact surface when profiles with different geometries are welded, leading to complex and expensive inserts that require time-consuming assembly.
The use of single-piece thermoplastic inserts, axially inserted into chambers of profiles, which are glued in place and then welded to enhance contact surface and stability, allowing for efficient and cost-effective frame assembly.
The solution provides a robust and cost-effective method for enhancing the strength of thermoplastic frame angles by ensuring a larger contact surface through welding, simplifying the assembly process and reducing production complexity.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: OPENING OR FIXED FRAME MADE OF THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL COMPRISING CORNER REINFORCEMENTS Technical field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to an opening or fixed frame comprising at least one first profile and at least one second profile assembled to each other by their respective end faces, the first profile being fixed to the second profile by welding the contacting surfaces of the two end faces together. Technical background
[0002] Joinery, such as windows or French windows, generally includes at least one opening or fixed frame. Such a frame is generally made by assembling uprights and crosspieces.
[0003] The uprights and crosspieces are, for example, profiles made of thermoplastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The profiles have 45° beveled end faces. The profiles are joined by their beveled faces to form the rectangular or square frame.
[0004] The assembly of a frame of exterior joinery made of thermoplastic material is done by welding. Such welding consists of melting the thermoplastic material of each beveled face, then positioning the beveled faces of the PVC profiles opposite each other. The assembly is done after melting by a heating plate, sometimes called a heating mirror, and holding the faces tight against each other during the cooling phase.
[0005] In order to have optimal resistance of the angle formed by the two profiles after welding, it is imperative that the profiles used have identical geometry, particularly at the level of the internal partitions.
[0006] When the profiles used for the upright and for the crosspiece are not identical, the internal partitions are not perfectly aligned. As a result, the contact surface between the two profiles is insufficient to allow solid fixing by welding.
[0007] The problem also arises for identical profiles having an insufficient contact surface.
[0008] It has already been proposed to drive an insert into each profile before the welding operation. Such an insert generally has a fixing face which is flush with the beveled face of the profile. Thus, when the two profiles are assembled, the fixing faces of their respective inserts are in contact with each other. These inserts are made of thermoplastic material so that they can be welded together during the welding operation. This advantageously increases the contact surface between the upright and the crosspiece, and thus improves the strength of the fixing.
[0009] However, the inserts already known are complex. They are made in several pieces so that they can be securely fixed to the associated profile. Such inserts are therefore complex and expensive to produce and they require a time-consuming assembly operation. Summary of the invention
[0010] The invention proposes an opening or fixed frame comprising:
[0011] - at least one first hollow structural profile extending along a main axis which comprises at least a first chamber which opens through an opening in an axial end face, and which is made of a specific thermoplastic material;
[0012] - at least one second hollow structural profile extending along a main axis which comprises at least one first chamber which opens through an opening in an axial end face, and which is made with said determined thermoplastic material;
[0013] each profile being equipped with at least one insert having in section a contour complementary to that of the first chamber, the insert being inserted axially into the first chamber of the associated profile, and held in a fixing position in which a fixing face of the insert is substantially flush with the end face of the associated profile;
[0014] the first profile being fixed to the second profile by welding the contacting surfaces of the two end faces together and by welding the contacting surfaces of the fixing faces of the inserts together;
[0015] characterized in that each insert is formed from a single piece which is held in the fixing position by gluing in the corresponding first chamber.
[0016] According to another characteristic of the invention, each insert is glued directly to the associated profile by interposing a layer of glue between the insert and an internal face of the profile.
[0017] According to another characteristic of the invention, each insert is free to slide entirely in the associated chamber before being bonded.
[0018] According to another characteristic of the invention, the insert comprises means for limiting its sliding in a direction of insertion into the associated chamber in its fixing position during the setting of the glue.
[0019] According to another characteristic of the invention, the insert has a projection which is intended to come into contact with the periphery of the opening of the associated chamber.
[0020] According to another characteristic of the invention, the insert is held in position of fixing during the setting of the glue by forcefully pushing it directly into the first corresponding chamber.
[0021] According to another characteristic of the invention, each insert has at least one protuberance on at least one external wall to allow it to be force-fitted into the first associated chamber.
[0022] According to another characteristic of the invention, the at least one protuberance is arranged in the middle of the insert in the axial direction so that axial end sections of the insert located on either side of a central section comprising the protuberance are capable of being inserted with a loose fit into the corresponding first chamber.
[0023] According to another characteristic of the invention, the insert has at least one axial rib which extends over its entire length, locally having a bulge which forms said protuberance.
[0024] According to another characteristic of the invention, each insert is made of a thermoplastic material compatible for welding with the determined thermoplastic material constituting the associated profiles to allow irreversible fixing of the inserts with the profiles by welding.
[0025] According to another characteristic of the invention, the profiles are made of polyvinyl chloride.
[0026] According to another characteristic of the invention, the insert is made of a material selected from polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, polyamide.
[0027] According to another characteristic of the invention, each insert has the shape of a hollow profile. Brief description of the figures
[0028] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the attached drawings.
[0029] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view which represents a French window comprising a frame made according to the teachings of the invention.
[0030] [Fig.2] is a front view showing an upright and a crosspiece of the sleeper frame of [Fig.l] which are assembled according to the teachings of the invention.
[0031] [Fig. 3] is a detail view which represents an end face of a structural profile of the upright equipped with an insert produced according to the teachings of the invention.
[0032] [Fig.4] is a view similar to that of [Fig.3] which represents an end face of a structural profile of the crosspiece equipped with an insert produced according to the teachings of the invention.
[0033] [Fig.5] is a sectional view of the frame of [Fig.2] along a sectional plane passing through the axes of the profiles.
[0034] [Fig.6] is a perspective view which represents the insert produced according to a first embodiment of the invention, which equips the profiles of the frame of [Fig.2].
[0035] [Fig.7] is a cross-sectional view of the insert of [Fig.6] along section plane 7-7.
[0036] [Fig.8] is a side view showing the insert of [Fig.6].
[0037] [Fig.9] is a view similar to that of [Fig.8] which represents the insert produced according to a second embodiment of the invention.
[0038] [Fig. 10] is a view similar to that of [Fig. 6] which represents the insert produced according to a third embodiment of the invention.
[0039] [Fig. 11] is a cross-sectional view of the insert of [Fig. 10] along section plane 11-11.
[0040] [Fig. 12] is a side view showing the insert of [Fig. 10].
[0041] Fig. 13 is a sectional view along section plane 13-13 of [Fig.5] which presents the insert fixed by gluing in the associated profile.
[0042] [Fig. 14] is a front view showing the insert-equipped upright and crosspiece sections just before they are welded together to form the frame of [Fig.2]. Detailed description of the invention
[0043] In the remainder of the description, elements having similar functions or identical structures will be designated by the same reference.
[0044] In the remainder of the description, the longitudinal, vertical and transverse directions will be adopted without limitation with reference to the trihedron (L, V, T) shown in the figures.
[0045] The terms “front” and “rear” will also be used with reference to the longitudinal direction, as well as “upper” and “lower” or “top” and “bottom” with reference to the vertical direction and finally “left” and “right” with reference to the transverse direction.
[0046] The terms “internal” and “external” will be used to designate elements located respectively in a profile or outside of said profile.
[0047] The terms “interior” and “exterior” will be used to designate elements located respectively towards the inside of the frame or towards the outside of the frame.
[0048] [Fig.l] shows a frame 10 of joinery 12 such as a window or a French window. This is a frame 10 of a fixed frame, but the invention also applies to opening frames.
[0049] Such joinery 12 comprises for example a frame 14 which is intended to be fixed in a bay 16 and an opening 18 which is intended to be mounted mobile in the frame 14 to close the bay 16.
[0050] The frame 14 comprises the frame 10 which is made by assembling profiles made of thermoplastic material.
[0051] The opening 18 also comprises an opening frame 20 which is made by assembling profiles made of thermoplastic material. At least one panel 22, here a glazed panel, is housed in the opening frame 20.
[0052] The invention is also applicable to a frame for a joinery comprising only a frame which carries a fixed panel.
[0053] As shown in [Fig.2], the invention is applicable to such an opening or fixed frame 10 made by assembling profiles made of thermoplastic material, in particular polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
[0054] Such a frame 10 comprises at least one upright 24 and at least one crosspiece 26. The example shown in [Fig.2] shows only one upright 24 and one crosspiece 26. Such a frame 10 preferably comprises two uprights 24 and two crosspieces 26.
[0055] The frame 10 comprises at least one first hollow profile 28. The first profile 28 extends along a main axis “A”. As shown in [Fig. 3], the first profile 28 comprises at least one first internal chamber 32 which opens through an opening 33 axially into an end face 34 of the first profile 28. The first chamber 32 opens into the two axial end faces 34 of the first profile 28. The first chamber 32 is delimited by lateral faces 35 carried by internal partitions 37 and / or by the lateral walls 28A, 28B, 29.
[0056] As shown in [Fig.2], the first profile 28 has an inner lateral wall 28A which is intended to internally delimit the frame 10, and an opposite outer lateral wall 28B which is intended to externally delimit the frame 10. The first profile 28 also comprises other lateral walls 29, the number and orientation of which depend on the complexity of the outline of the first profile 28.
[0057] The first profile 28 here comprises a plurality of other chambers 36 which open into the axial end face 34. The internal partitions 37 are made in a single piece with the lateral walls 28A, 28B, 29. The first chamber 32 is preferably arranged close to the internal lateral wall 28A. The first chamber 32 is preferably delimited directly by the internal lateral wall 28A.
[0058] The first profile 28 is made of a specific thermoplastic material. According to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the thermoplastic material is formed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is for example obtained by extrusion.
[0059] This is a first structural profile 28 which is intended to support the main forces and to form the framework on which the other elements are fixed, that is to say the panel 22 or an opening 18.
[0060] The frame 10 also comprises a second hollow profile 30. The second profile 30 extends along a main axis “B”. As shown in [Fig.4], the second profile 30 comprises at least one first internal chamber 38 which opens axially through an opening 39 in an end face 40 of the second profile 30. The first chamber 38 opens into the two axial end faces of the second profile 30. The first chamber 38 is delimited by lateral faces 41 carried by internal partitions 43 and / or by the lateral walls 30A, 30B, 31.
[0061] As shown in [Fig.2], the second profile 30 has an inner lateral wall 30A which is intended to internally delimit the frame 10, and an opposite outer lateral wall 30B which is intended to externally delimit the frame 10. The second profile 30 also comprises other lateral walls 31 whose number and orientation depend on the complexity of the outline of the second profile 30.
[0062] The second profile 30 here comprises a plurality of other chambers 42 which open into the axial end face 40. The chambers 38, 42 are delimited by internal partitions 45 and / or by the lateral walls 30A, 30B, 31. The first chamber 38 is preferably arranged close to the internal lateral wall 30A. The first chamber 38 is preferably delimited directly by the internal lateral wall 30A.
[0063] The first chamber 38 here has an axial slide 43 which projects from an internal partition 45 opposite the internal lateral wall 30A.
[0064] The second profile 30 is made of a specific thermoplastic material. According to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the thermoplastic material is formed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is for example obtained by extrusion.
[0065] This is a second structural profile 30 which is intended to support the main forces and to form the framework on which the other elements are fixed, i.e. the panel 22 or an opening 18.
[0066] The first profile 28 are intended to be assembled end to end by contact between their end faces 34, 40. They are more particularly fixed by welding the contacting surfaces of the two end faces 34, 40 together.
[0067] The first profile 28 here belongs in part to an upright 24, while the second profile 30 here belongs to a crosspiece 26. The two profiles 28, 30 are therefore fixed perpendicular to each other. Thus, the axis “A” of the first profile 28 is oriented vertically here, while the axis “B” of the second profile 30 is oriented transversely here.
[0068] To allow their fixing at right angles, the contacting parts of the end faces 34, 40 of each profile 28, 30 are beveled. Thus, the end face 34 of the first profile 28 here has a slope at 45° relative to the main axis “A” of the profile 28, and the end face 40 of the second profile 40 here has a slope at 45° relative to the main “B” axis.
[0069] Alternatively, depending on the shape of the frame, the two profiles can be assembled at an angle that is different from 90°. In this case, the inclination of the beveled part of their end face 34, 40 will be adapted to said angle.
[0070] According to yet another variant not shown, the profiles are arranged in the extension of one another so that their axes A, B are aligned. In this case, the end faces 34, 40 are not beveled.
[0071] As shown in [Fig.2], the upright 24 and the crosspiece 26 are assembled perpendicularly by their beveled end faces 34, 40. Thus, the axis “A” of the profile 28 of the upright 24 extends perpendicularly to the axis “B” of the profile 30 of the crosspiece 26. The profiles 28, 30 are arranged so that their inner lateral faces 28A, 30A join at an inner angle 44 of the frame 10.
[0072] The profile 28 of the upright 24 here has a profile of a different shape from that of the profile 30 of the crosspiece 26. Indeed, the profile 28 of the upright is in particular a thickness, taken in a direction orthogonal to its main axis “A” between its inner lateral face 28A and its outer lateral face 28B, greater compared to the thickness of the profile 30 of the crosspiece 24, taken in a direction orthogonal to its main axis “B” between its inner lateral face 28A and its outer lateral face 28B. This makes it possible, for example, to benefit from sufficient space in the upright 24 to arrange a cremone bolt and / or a locking device for the frame 10 while making it possible to obtain a greater glazing clearance by reducing the thickness of the crosspiece 26.
[0073] According to a variant of the invention not shown, the two profiles 28, 30 are identical.
[0074] As shown in [Fig.5], each profile 28, 30 may also comprise a metal reinforcing beam 46 which is inserted into the first chamber 32, 38. This reinforcing beam 46 is inserted with sufficient radial clearance to allow it to slide in the associated first chamber 32, 38. Such a reinforcing beam 46 makes it possible in particular to increase the rigidity and mechanical strength of the associated profile 28, 30. As will be explained in more detail below, the reinforcing beam 46 is shorter than the associated profile 28, 30 so that a free space 48 is reserved in the first chamber 32, 38 between each axial end of the reinforcing beam 46 and each free end face 34, 40 of the associated profile 28, 30.
[0075] Alternatively, the profiles 28, 30 are not equipped with a metal reinforcement beam.
[0076] To fix the two profiles 28, 30 together by their respective faces 38, 40, it is known to weld the contacting surfaces of the two end faces 38, 40 together at an angle. In this position, the first two chambers 32, 38 open out substantially in coincidence with each other.
[0077] However, due to their different shapes, the contacting surfaces often have an insufficient area to ensure good fixing by welding. Indeed, the edges of the internal partitions 37, 45 do not completely overlap.
[0078] The invention proposes to reinforce the angles of the frame 10 by means of inserts 50 in order to reinforce the fixing between the upright 24 and the crosspiece 26, as shown in [Fig.5].
[0079] Each insert 50 is inserted axially into the first chamber 32, 38 of the associated profile. For this purpose, each insert 50 has, in section, an external contour of a shape complementary to the section of the associated first chamber 32, 38.
[0080] Such an insert 50 is shown in more detail in Figures 6 to 8. Each insert 50 has an axis “C” which extends parallel to the axis “A, B” of the profile 28, 30 in which it is inserted. The insert 50 has two axial end faces 52A, 52B, at least one of which forms a fixing face.
[0081] When the faces 34, 40 of each profile 28, 30 have a beveled shape, as is the case here, each end face 52A, 52B of the insert 50 here has a beveled shape as is particularly visible in FIGS. 6 and 8. Each end face 52A, 52B is here oriented at 45°, relative to the axis “C”. This makes it possible to use one or other of the axial end faces 52A, 52B as a fixing face.
[0082] Each insert 50 is held in a fixing position in which one of its end faces 52A, 52B, called the fixing face, is flush with the end face 34, 40 of the associated profile 28, 30, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.
[0083] The first two chambers 32, 38 opening out in coincidence, the flush fixing faces 52A, 52B are in contact with each other when the upright 24 is assembled with the crosspiece 26.
[0084] Thus, in addition to welding the contacting surfaces of the two end faces 38, 40 together, the two profiles 28, 30 are also fixed together by welding the contacting surfaces of the faces 52A, 52B for fixing the inserts 50 together.
[0085] Each insert 50 here has two axial end faces 52A, 52B with a beveled shape. Thus, the two inserts 50 can have an identical structure and be inserted in one direction or the other so that they can be adapted to different shapes of first chambers 32, 38.
[0086] As shown in [Fig.7], each insert 50 here has the shape of a hollow profile. Each insert 50 here has in section a substantially rectangular outline, here trapezoidal, hollow having four lateral walls 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D. The hollow is divided by partitions 53 crossed in the shape of an “X”. The insert 50 here has a tongue 55 intended to be inserted into the slide 43 of the first chamber 38 of the profile 30 of the crosspiece 26. These shapes make it possible to benefit from a large surface area contact between two inserts 50 even when one of them is reversed relative to the other.
[0087] Each insert 50 is formed from a single piece which is held in the fixing position by gluing directly in the corresponding first chamber 32, 38. Each insert 50 is glued directly to the associated profile 28, 30 by interposing a layer 60 of glue between the insert 50 and an internal face 35 of the profile 28, 30. More particularly, the layer 60 of glue is interposed between at least one wall 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D and the internal face 35 opposite the associated first chamber 32, 38.
[0088] The glue used to produce the glue layer 60 is formed by a fluid substance, for example gelatinous or viscous, at the time of its installation. Then this glue must then harden in order to achieve the fixing of the insert 50 in the associated profile 28, 30. This step will subsequently be called the “setting of the glue”. Depending on the composition of the glue used, the setting of the glue can be achieved by exposure to a gas such as air, by exposure to a temperature suitable for its setting, or by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, for example ultraviolet.
[0089] When producing the frame 10, the layers 60 of glue are applied when the glue is in its fluid state on at least one wall 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D and / or on an internal face 35 of the associated chamber 32, 38. Then the insert 50 is inserted through the opening 27, 39 of the associated chamber 32, 38 so that the glue is in simultaneous contact with the walls of the insert 50 and the internal face 35 of the chamber 32, 38. Then, the insert 50 is held in its fixing position while the glue sets.
[0090] When the associated profile 28, 30 is equipped with a reinforcing beam 46, as is the case here, the insert 50 is entirely arranged in the free space 48 reserved between the end of the reinforcing beam 46 and the end face 34, 40 of said profile 28, 30, as shown in [Fig. 5]. Thus, the insert 50 is not in contact with the reinforcing beam 46. In other words, the insert 50 is fixed to the associated profile 28, 30 independently of the reinforcing beam 46.
[0091] According to a first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, each insert 50 is free to slide entirely in the associated chamber 32, 38 before being bonded. Each insert 50 is thus received in the corresponding chamber 32, 38 with a loose fit.
[0092] In this case, the insert 50 must be kept in its fixing position while the glue sets so that the layer 60 of glue ensures the fixing of the insert 50 in the associated profile 28, 30.
[0093] In the example shown in Figures 6 to 8, each insert 50 has at least one axial rib 56. The external faces of the walls 50A, 50D opposite the ribs 56 here have axial pads 58 in the form of a pad to allow suitable sliding guidance of the insert 50 in the corresponding first chamber 32, 38. This makes it possible to improve the guidance by reducing the radial clearances while minimizing the friction.
[0094] According to the second embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig.9], the insert 50 is similar to that of the first embodiment but it comprises means for limiting its sliding in a direction of insertion into the chamber 32, 38 associated in its fixing position during the setting of the glue.
[0095] For example, the insert 50 has on one of its walls 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, a projection 57 which is intended to come into contact with the periphery of the opening of the associated chamber in order to prevent the insert 50 from penetrating entirely into the chamber 32, 38.
[0096] According to a third embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 10 to 12, the insert 50 is held in the fixing position while the glue sets by forcefully pushing it directly into the corresponding first chamber 32, 38. Thus, the insert 50 is immobilized by sliding in both directions in the associated chamber 32, 38.
[0097] For example, each insert 50 has at least one protrusion 54 which projects from the external face of an external wall 50B, 50C to allow it to be force-fitted into the associated first chamber 32, 38. Each insert 50 here has two such protrusions 54 which are arranged on two adjacent lateral external faces. Each protrusion 54 makes it possible to locally increase a radial external dimension “D1, D2” of the insert 50 so that it is slightly greater than the corresponding internal dimension “D1, D12” of the associated first chamber 32, 38, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0098] Referring to Figures 10 and 12, each protrusion 54 is arranged in the middle of the insert 50 in the direction of its axis “C”. The insert 50 thus has, in the direction of the axis “C”, a central section 51B comprising the protrusions 54 and axial end sections 51A, 51C.
[0099] Each axial end section 51A, 5IC is received in the corresponding chamber 32, 38 with a non-tight fit. Thus, they are likely to be inserted more easily into the corresponding first chamber 32, 38. On the contrary, the central section 51B is received in the corresponding first chamber 32, 38 with a tight fit.
[0100] The end sections 51A, 51C of the insert 50 are capable of being pushed in with a force less than the axial pushing force “F” into the corresponding first chamber 32, 38. The end sections of the insert 50 have, for example, radial clearance relative to the corresponding chamber 32, 38 to allow insertion without force.
[0101] In the example shown in Figures 10 to 12, each insert 50 has at least one axial rib 56 whose center has a bulge which forms said pro- tubercle 54.
[0102] The external faces of the walls 50A, 50D opposite the ribs 56 here have axial pads 58 in the form of a pad to allow suitable sliding guidance of the insert 50 in the corresponding first chamber 32, 38. This makes it possible to improve guidance by reducing radial clearances while minimizing friction.
[0103] For all these embodiments, to allow welding of the inserts 50 together, each insert 50 is made of a thermoplastic material.
[0104] Preferably, to further reinforce the fixing of the inserts 50 in their respective profile 28, 30 as well as the fixing of the inserts 50 with the other profile 28, 30, each insert 50 is made of a thermoplastic material compatible for welding with the thermoplastic material constituting the associated profiles 28, 30. Thus, the inserts 50 are irreversibly fixed by welding between themselves but also with the profiles 28, 30.
[0105] When the profiles 28, 30 are made of PVC, each insert 50 is for example, and in a non-limiting manner, made of a material selected from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) and polyamide (PA).
[0106] The glue used is for example one of the glues among acrylic glue, polyepoxide glue, cyanoacrylate glue, silicone glue, neoprene glue, mastic glue or polyurethane glue.
[0107] A method of fixing the manufacturing of the frame 10 is now described.
[0108] During a first gluing step, the glue is applied, in layers 60, by example in a cord, in its fluid state on at least one wall 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D and / or on an internal face 35 of the associated chamber 32, 38.
[0109] During a second insertion step, each insert 50 is first inserted axially into the associated first chamber 32, 38, possibly previously equipped with its reinforcing beam 46 during a prior reinforcement step. In doing so, the glue comes into simultaneous contact with the walls of the insert 50 and the internal face 35 of the chamber 32, 38.
[0110] Each insert 50 is pushed into the first chamber 32, 38 of the associated profile 28, 30 to a fixing position in which the fixing face 52A, 52B is located substantially in the same plane as the end face 34, 40 of the associated profile 28, 30.
[0111] Then, the insert 50 is held in its fixing position while the glue sets.
[0112] In fact, in the fixing position, the fixing face 52A, 25B can be arranged at an axial distance belonging to a tolerance range determined with respect to the associated end face 34, 40. This tolerance range is less than the length of profile 28, 30 which will be melted during the following welding operation.
[0113] Preferably, in the fixing position, the fixing face 52A, 52B of the insert 50 is located slightly projecting relative to the beveled axial end face 34, 40 of the profile 28, 30, as shown in [Fig. 13].
[0114] During a third positioning step, the profiles equipped with their insert 50 are positioned at right angles to each other so that their beveled faces 34, 40 are opposite each other.
[0115] Then, during a fourth heating step, the beveled end face 34, 40 of each profile 28, 30 is heated to melt a determined axial length of thermoplastic material, for example of the order of a centimeter. Due to the position of the inserts 50, the fixing face 52A, 52B of each insert 50 is heated simultaneously to melt a thickness of the thermoplastic material constituting them.
[0116] Thus, at the end of the heating step, the fixing face 52A, 52B of each insert 50 is flush with the beveled end face 34, 40 of the associated profile 28, 30.
[0117] This heating step is for example carried out by interposing a heating plate between the two beveled faces 34, 40 by sliding the two profiles 28, 30 axially towards each other.
[0118] At the end of this heating step, a fifth welding step is triggered during which the beveled end faces 34, 40 thus heated are clamped against each other to mix their respective molten material. The clamping is maintained until the molten materials thus mixed have cooled and solidified.
[0119] Due to their thermoplastic materials compatible with welding, the inserts 50 are permanently fixed to the profiles 28, 30 by welding during the welding step.
[0120] The inserts 50 produced according to the teachings of the invention are simple to produce and their assembly is very easy.
Claims
Claims
1. Frame (10) of opening or fixed frame comprising: - at least one first hollow structural profile (28) extending along a main axis (A) which comprises at least one first chamber (32) which opens through an opening in an axial end face (34), and which is made of a specific thermoplastic material; - at least one second hollow structural profile (30) extending along a main axis (B) which comprises at least one first chamber (38) which opens through an opening in an axial end face (40), and which is made with said specific thermoplastic material;each profile (28, 30) being equipped with at least one insert (50) having in section a contour complementary to that of the first chamber (32, 38), the insert (50) being inserted axially into the first chamber (32, 38) of the associated profile, and held in a fixing position in which a fixing face (52A, 52B) of the insert (50) is substantially flush with the end face (34, 40) of the associated profile (28, 30); the first profile (28) being fixed to the second profile (30) by welding the contacting surfaces of the two end faces (34, 40) together and by welding the contacting surfaces of the fixing faces (52A, 52B) of the inserts (50) together; characterized in that each insert (50) is formed from a single piece which is held in the fixing position by gluing in the corresponding first chamber (32, 38).;
2. Frame (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each insert (50) is glued directly to the associated profile by interposition of a layer (60) of glue between the insert and an internal face of the profile.
3. Frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each insert (50) is free to slide entirely in the associated chamber (32, 38) before its gluing.
4. Frame (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the insert (50) comprises means for limiting its sliding in a direction of insertion into the associated chamber (32, 38) in its fixing position during the setting of the glue.
5. Frame (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the insert has a projection which is intended to come into contact with the periphery of the opening of the associated chamber.
6. Frame (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the insert (50) is held in the fixing position during the setting of the glue by forcefully pushing it directly into the corresponding first chamber (32, 38).
7. Frame (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each insert has at least one protuberance (54) on at least one external wall (50B, 50C) to allow its force-fitting in the associated first chamber (32, 38).
8. Frame (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one protuberance (54) is arranged in the middle of the insert in the axial direction so that axial end sections of the insert (50) located on either side of a central section comprising the protuberance (54) are capable of being inserted with a loose fit into the corresponding first chamber (32, 38).
9. Frame (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the insert (50) has at least one axial rib (56) which extends over its entire length, locally having a bulge which forms said protuberance (54).
10. Frame (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each insert (50) is made of a thermoplastic material compatible for welding with the determined thermoplastic material constituting the associated profiles (28, 30) to allow irreversible fixing of the inserts (50) with the profiles (28, 30) by welding.
11. Frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profiles (28, 30) are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
12. Frame (10) according to claim 11 taken in combination with claim 10, characterized in that the insert (50) is made of a material selected from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), polyamide (PA).
13. Frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each insert (50) has the shape of a profile hollow.