Reinforcement for sliding windows or doors and curtain walls

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reinforcement for sliding windows or doors and curtain walls that is intended to reinforce the structure of the joint between two sliding leaves (2), in the area in which they overlap when closed, which is made up of a vertical profile (5), to which a reinforcement element couples. Said element is characterised in that it is made up of a transparent sheet (6) fixed on said profile (5) orthogonally with respect to the sliding leaves (2) or the curtain wall.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Reinforcement for sliding windows or doors and curtain walls

[0003] Technical sector

[0004] The invention falls within the field of metal, PVC, or wood carpentry; specifically, in the manufacture of fixed and movable window frames, door frames, curtain walls, or similar elements for closing gaps, and more specifically, carpentry in which at least two sliding panels move laterally within rigid exterior frames.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] The object of the invention is a sliding window or door frame, or curtain wall, preferably made of aluminum and of the so-called minimalist type. This option consists of a modern and functional frame design, especially designed for homes, characterized by a discreet frame and opening mechanisms, allowing the glass to take center stage in the design. Therefore, the design of minimalist frame is based on the elimination of unnecessary elements, retaining only the essential ones. Generally, these frames are sliding and use glass and aluminum as materials, allowing for construction solutions with a minimal frame, allowing for the maximum possible entry of natural light. Furthermore, its airtight design helps reduce air leaks, contributing to improved thermal and acoustic insulation.This type of carpentry can be installed in a wide variety of homes, including villas, single-family homes, apartments, flats, modern buildings, and contemporary design homes.

[0007] Given their design, minimalist window frames present the problem of offering less wind resistance than traditional ones, particularly when they constitute a frontal obstacle. Therefore, strong gusts can overcome their resistance and even cause their deformation, which could lead to their partial or total destruction. This problem is even more acute, and therefore precautionary measures must be taken when the door or window is greater than 1.8 meters high or wide. To avoid this problem, one or more vertical reinforcements are installed, normally located both on the outside and inside of the sliding door, coinciding with the overlap between two leaves when it is closed. This is done to prevent this area from moving frontally toward the inside or outside of the opening it closes, thus preventing the window frame from moving.

[0008] The reinforcements currently used to alleviate this problem are vertical aluminum profiles, fixed to both sliding sashes at the overlap between the two sashes, or to the frame of a curtain wall. These profiles are deep enough in the direction of the wind to effectively resist its effects. However, these reinforcements must be of considerable size, particularly in the direction of the wind, or perpendicular to the sliding sash, so they do not meet the objective of a minimalist design according to the aforementioned specifications. Furthermore, being metallic elements, they are opaque and therefore create a black spot that prevents the maximum possible amount of outside light from entering this area and reduces visibility.

[0009] Explanation of the invention

[0010] Based on the prior art, one objective of the present invention is to provide a reinforcement for curtain walls and sliding windows or doors, especially for minimalist carpentry, which forms an intermediate frame that is equally or more resistant than a conventional one, is transparent so that it lets light pass freely and does not pose any visual obstacle from the inside of the gap to be closed, making it ultra-minimalist.

[0011] In order to achieve the proposed objectives, mentioned in the previous section, the invention proposes a reinforcement for sliding windows or doors, which has the characteristics of claim 1.

[0012] The reinforcement for curtain or sliding walls of the invention, intended to reinforce the structure of the connection between two sliding leaves in the area where they overlap when they close the gap, comprises vertically, on at least one of the sides of the sliding:

[0013] A small profile that on its outer face defines a channel for the coupling or fixing of a reinforcement element; and

[0014] A reinforcement element consisting of a transparent sheet, preferably tempered glass, fixed to said profile orthogonally to the sliding panels. The transparent sheet provides a strut as resistant to the effects of frontal or lateral winds on said sliding panels as a conventional metal profile, with the advantage that, as it is a transparent element, it does not detract in the least from the minimalist effect of the carpentry. Furthermore, this sheet, whether made of glass, tempered glass, methacrylate, or any other transparent plastic material, can be supplied to the carpentry installer, or they can simply cut it to suit the installation's needs, so stocking this product is not strictly necessary.

[0015] Description of the drawings

[0016] To complement the description being made and in order to facilitate the understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to this specification in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

[0017] Fig. 1 shows a view of an embodiment according to the prior art, in cross section along a horizontal plane, of a minimalist carpentry provided with a vertical reinforcement profile (4) facing both sides of the sliding leaves (2) in the area where they overlap in the closure.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a section equivalent to that of Fig. 1, of an embodiment according to the invention.

[0019] Carrying out the invention

[0020] As can be seen in the referenced figures, the invention relates to a reinforcement for curtain walls or sliding leaves (2) of doors or windows, preferably of a minimalist type, intended to reinforce the structure of the union between two sliding leaves (2), in the area in which they overlap when they close the gap, preventing the sliding part from being affected by the pressure it exerts due to the effect of the wind, particularly towards the interior of the gap it closes.

[0021] In Fig. 1 two sliding leaves (2) are observed, provided with metallic profiles (1), preferably made of aluminium, which have, coinciding with the vertical in which said sliders (2) face each other in the closing, two seals (3), which, when the slider is closed, overlap and sometimes fit together, closing the union in the two consecutive sliders (2). On at least one of the sides of the slider, a vertical reinforcement profile (4) is arranged facing both sides of the sliding leaves (2), in the area where they overlap in the closing, which in the prior art is made up of an aluminium metallic profile (4) that forms a double vertical strut on either side of the slider.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows the solution proposed by the invention applied to a sliding door, in which the aluminium profile (4) acting as a strut has been replaced by a small vertical profile (5), which on its outer face defines a channel for coupling or fixing a transparent sheet (6) located orthogonally with respect to the curtain wall or the sliding leaves (2), constituting in itself a strut equally resistant to the effect of frontal or lateral wind on said sliding door.

[0023] The transparent sheet (6) in a preferred embodiment is made of glass, particularly tempered glass, although other transparent plastic materials such as methacrylate or polycarbonate can be used for the same purpose. In any of these materials, the sheet (6) can be supplied to the carpentry installer with standard measurements, or it can simply be cut to size depending on the requirements of each installation, so it is not necessary to create a stock catalogue of this type. In fact, the transparent sheet (6) could be made up vertically of two or more pieces, glued or overlapped together.

[0024] The fixing of the transparent sheet (6) to the profile (5) can be carried out by any known means, for example by adhesives, screws, both, etc.

[0025] The configuration of the profile (5) also has hardly any restrictions. It generally has a “U” shaped recess towards the outside into which the sheet (6) fits and preferably has an “H” shaped configuration which, in the recess opposite to that into which said sheet (6) fits, has a metallic reinforcement and / or a weatherstrip facing the corresponding sliding leaf (2).

[0026] It is hereby stated that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements described may be modified, provided that this does not imply an alteration of the essential characteristics of the invention claimed below:

Claims

CLAIMS 1 Reinforcement for sliding windows or doors and curtain walls, intended to reinforce the structure of a curtain wall or the joint between two sliding leaves (2), in the area where they overlap in the closed position, which comprises vertically, on at least one of the faces of the sliding or curtain wall: - a small vertical profile (5) which on its outer face defines a channel for the coupling or fixing of a reinforcement element, - a reinforcing element consisting of at least one transparent sheet (6), fixed on said profile (5), orthogonally with respect to the sliding leaves (2). 2.- Reinforcement, according to claim 1, in which the transparent sheet (6) is made of glass. 3.- Reinforcement, according to claim 2, in which the transparent sheet (6) is made of tempered glass. 4.- Reinforcement, according to any of the preceding claims, in which the transparent sheet (6) is fixed to the profile (5) by means of adhesives. 5.- Reinforcement, according to any of the preceding claims, in which the transparent sheet (6) is fixed to the profile (5) by screwing. 6.- Reinforcement, according to any of the previous claims, in which the profile (5) externally has a “U” shaped recess, inside which the transparent sheet (6) fits. 7.- Reinforcement, according to any of the previous claims, in which the profile (5) inside which the transparent sheet (6) fits has an “H” configuration in whose “U” recess towards the outside the transparent sheet (6) fits, while the recess defined towards the curtain wall or the sliding leaves (2) has a metallic reinforcement and / or a weatherstrip facing the corresponding sliding leaf (2).

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