Coupling device for building facades or windows

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling device (10) for the construction of facades or windows of buildings, comprising at least one longitudinal or transverse support on a building inner side of the facade in the form of a bar-like, statically effective support element (1) and a connection profile (2) which can be attached thereto preferably on an outer side of the building and which has one or more fastening portions (3) for the installation of windows, facade parts or wall elements of the building, wherein the support element (1) is made of a non-metal solid material and has at least one recess or groove (7), provided with undercuts (6), corresponding to a form-fit part (4) of the connection profile (2) which form-fit part has a holding portion (21) and the shape of which is at least partially complementary, for a statically effective form-fit connection (5) to the connection profile (2).

Description

[0001] Coupling device for building facades or windows

[0002] The present invention relates to a coupling device for the construction of facades or windows of buildings, comprising at least one longitudinal or transverse beam on the interior side of the facade in the form of a beam-shaped, structurally effective support element and a connecting profile to be mounted thereon for attaching window or facade components. Such coupling devices are used, for example, to connect facade elements in post-and-beam constructions to the building structure of the beams or posts. The invention relates to such coupling devices which enable the secure assembly, fixing, and attachment of facade elements, window components, window frames, or the like to building structures. Such coupling devices enable the elements filling the facade to be mounted on the beam, post, or support elements that form the statics of the building shell itself.

[0003] In the prior art, for example, in a post-and-beam construction, it is known to mount the facade elements, such as cladding or window facades, to be attached to the transoms or posts (cross or longitudinal beams) on the outside of the building using metal profiles and separate fastening elements such as screws or similar. For this purpose, metal profiles with screw channels or holes are usually attached to the statically load-bearing beam elements or transoms or posts of the post-and-beam construction using several individual screws at individual fastening points distributed along the length. The installation of such connecting profiles is therefore relatively time-consuming and requires, in addition to the extra fastening elements such as screws, also the provision of corresponding screw holes or screw channels on the building-side load-bearing longitudinal or cross beams of the building structure.The connecting profiles, which are usually made of metal, must also have appropriate screw holes for this type of coupling.

[0004] Last but not least, the strength and static resistance of known coupling devices of this type are also sometimes limited. Secured connections are only created at localized locations between the connecting profiles used for the installation of the facade elements or windows and the support elements that provide the actual statics, such as mullions or transoms. With certain types of materials, it is also sometimes difficult to attach them with screws or nails to a support element made of solid material, for example, without compromising the structural stability. Screwing fastening screws into a solid material such as wood can therefore also negatively impact the statics and overall resistance to loads from the coupling device.

[0005] Therefore, in previously known coupling devices of this type, both the connecting profiles and the support elements are generally made of metal profiles provided with corresponding screw channels or holes for screwing together. However, the production of such metal support elements and connecting profiles is relatively complex. Furthermore, due to strength requirements, the support profiles must generally have a hollow shape or box construction in order to achieve the necessary flexural rigidity and static strength for the construction of such facade or window structures.

[0006] When using support elements made of solid material, such as plastic or wood, previous solutions have the disadvantage that the fastening elements, such as nails or screws, penetrate the solid material, making installation quite time-consuming and also leading to local weakening of the beams. For example, nails or screws must be inserted into the solid material at several individual fastening points through holes in the connecting profiles. Such a system also usually has reduced overall strength in terms of flexural rigidity and resistance to detachment of facade elements.An example of such a conventional coupling device with support elements made of solid material is described in DE 20 2006 008297 U1. Here, a wooden substructure is provided with a metal connecting profile on the outside, which is attached diagonally to the sides of a central axis via nails inserted at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the device. As with other conventional coupling devices of this type, assembly of this design is quite time-consuming due to the large number of individual nails, and only a reduced statically effective strength is achieved by connecting the parts. Furthermore, actual fastenings of the facade elements or windows are only provided at a few localized locations.

[0007] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a coupling device for the construction of facades or windows on longitudinal or transverse beams of buildings, which also offers an improved and easier assembly option for support elements made of solid material without compromising strength and statics. Furthermore, the coupling device is intended to achieve optimal overall resistance to stresses encountered on facades, such as bending forces, pull-off forces, and torsion in such facade elements or windows. This object is achieved with a coupling device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the invention, a coupling device for the construction of facades or windows of buildings is proposed, comprising at least one longitudinal or transverse beam on an inner side of the facade in the form of a beam-shaped, statically effective support element - i.e. one which absorbs forces from the facade - and comprising a connecting profile which can be attached thereto, preferably on an outer side of the building, wherein the connecting profile has one or more fastening sections for mounting windows, facade parts, wall elements of the building or the like, wherein the coupling device is characterized in that the support element is formed from a non-metallic solid material and has at least one recess or groove provided with undercuts corresponding to an at least partially complementarily shaped form-fitting part with a holding section of the connecting profile for a statically effective form-fitting connection with the connecting profile.The coupling device according to the invention is thus characterized by a support element made of solid material, which is firmly connected to the connecting profile by means of a form-fitting connection with undercuts and a correspondingly shaped protruding holding section, and is also continuously stiffened along its longitudinal extent. The groove provided with undercuts in the support element is preferably provided in a longitudinal extension of the support element over its entire length. By simply sliding or inserting the connecting profiles into the correspondingly shaped groove or recess with undercuts, a type of connection with the coupling device on the support element can be achieved that is overall statically effective for the facade, i.e., coupled and stiffened against pull-off forces, longitudinal forces, or transverse forces.In this context, a correspondingly or complementarily shaped groove and retaining section of the profile is understood to mean an at least partially adapted shape of the parts, so that a securely fixed connection is created solely through the positive fit, without the need for additional fastening parts such as nails or screws. The support element can, for example, be a post or beam in a post-and-beam construction of such building facades. However, the support element can also be part of a window construction in which the frame joint is connected with such a statically stiffening connection type.

[0009] According to the invention, a support element made of solid material in a beam shape is understood to be, for example, a support element or a combination of post and beam assembled, frame-like support elements which form the actual supporting structure for the facade elements of a building. The function as a support element is generally ensured by the use of either frame-like support elements for window installations or in the form of cross and longitudinal beams - i.e., for example, so-called post and beam beams - forming a grid-like support structure which is attached to the shell on the outside of the building and to which the corresponding individual parts such as windows, facade panels, etc. can then be mounted using the connecting profiles according to the invention. The support elements thus form the static main beams of the facade in the coupling device according to the invention, while only additional elements are attached using the connecting profiles.The support elements according to the invention thus generally have a longer longitudinal extension than the connecting profiles attached to them. The beam-like support elements according to the invention are formed from solid material with a recess or groove provided with undercuts, so that they offer high strength for the static tasks despite the possibility of attaching the connecting profiles. In particular, so-called post-and-beam constructions of such support elements on facades are subjected to various stresses, namely shear, tensile, and compressive loads that act on facades due to wind forces or attached exterior elements (windows, facade panels, etc.). The connecting profiles provided on the support elements according to the invention in a holding section for insertion into the groove or recess, on the other hand, serve primarily to fasten the facade parts or window elements via corresponding grooves or screw channels.The connecting profiles are therefore less designed for the overall structural function of the facades and are generally subjected only to tensile and compressive stresses. Compared to the prior art, this novel design of the coupling device according to the invention has the advantage that it does not unnecessarily weaken the basic structure of the support elements made of solid material (e.g., posts / transoms made of wooden beams), as would be the case with screwing or fastening with nails as in the aforementioned prior art according to DE 202006 008297 U1.

[0010] The innovative coupling device thus implemented also achieves further technical advantages with regard to sealing due to the lack of transitions between the inside and outside, thus preventing so-called vapor migration. Relatively thin connecting profiles can also be used in this construction, which are advantageous in narrow designs that still provide secure support, fastening, and sealing, for example with thin glass or other insert elements of such facades. This allows for space-saving rebate constructions for such facades. The support elements made of solid material are not weakened and nevertheless have a secure and firm fixation for the connecting profiles, which are attached at least in sections to the support elements via form-fitting, in the form of undercut grooves into which the correspondingly shaped holding sections, for example in a dovetail shape, can engage.

[0011] The coupling device according to the invention thus formed is attached without additional fastening means using a highly effective, secure, and easy-to-install connection. The connecting profiles engage, so to speak, in the solid material of the support element via the undercut recesses or grooves, without unnecessarily weakening the support element locally with nails or screws. The form fit creates a novel, force-absorbing, statically effective connection between the connecting profiles and support elements according to the invention. The individual elements for constructing the facade or installing windows can also advantageously be manufactured in advance so that only the outer facade elements, glass facades, windows, or similar elements need to be installed on site in the corresponding screw channels or fastening sections of the connecting profiles.This not only results in improved static coupling and connection of such elements in beam parts or longitudinal or cross beams in the post-and-beam construction made of solid material, but also in considerable time savings in the realization of such building facades.

[0012] A coupling device according to the invention with a recess or groove with undercuts in the support element made of non-metallic solid material is understood to mean any form of a groove-shaped element or element provided with a recess, in which the insertion of the support profile with an at least partially complementary counter-shape of a holding section on the form-fitting part results in the fastening due to a form-fitting connection without additional components, i.e., pulling out of the connection towards the building's exterior or in a lateral direction is effectively prevented. Secure fixing of the facade elements and window parts in all directions is thus possible with the coupling device according to the invention very effectively and in a relatively simple manner using only two parts, namely the support element formed with a groove with undercuts and the connecting profile inserted or pushed into it.Through the connection between the holding section of the connecting profile in the groove or recess of the support element in the form of a form-fitting connection, a force-absorbing and statically effective stiffening for the facade is directly realized through the coupling between the parts.

[0013] Such a positive connection can be achieved by simply inserting the connecting profile with the holding section into the groove in the longitudinal direction of the support element. Other forms of assembly of such positive connection connections with undercuts are also conceivable within the scope of the present invention. The groove or recess with undercuts in the support element can be made either in its longitudinal direction, for example on a front side or face over its entire length, or only in sections, which is then provided on the outside of the building in the installed state. Alternatively or additionally, such a recess or groove for the positive connection with undercuts according to the invention can also be provided in a transverse direction to the longitudinal direction of the support element or mullion or transom.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connecting profile of the coupling device is provided with at least one support section that is flush and directly adjacent to an outer side of the support element. A directly adjacent and flush-fitting support section is thus provided on the outer side or fastening side, which is typically the front side of the support element on the building exterior. Such a support section has the effect of providing broader support for the connecting profile, even outside the actual fastening line of the form-fitting connection in the groove with undercuts. A quasi-multi-point support of the connecting profile is also provided laterally from the form-fitting connection, preferably on both sides, by the central holding section of the connecting profile and the form-fitting connection.In this way, a type of counter bearing is created with the form fit, whereby the coupling device represents a statically highly effective connection that is also even more stable against torsional forces.

[0015] Not only tensile forces, lateral forces, but also torsional forces, etc., are absorbed jointly by both parts: the solid support element on the one hand, and the connecting profile inserted and fixed into it in a form-fitting connection on the other. Such a coupling device thus directly provides a statically stiffened and highly effective connecting element, something that was not possible with conventional connection methods such as screws, nails, or similar.

[0016] The support section or the multiple support sections of the connecting profile, which are provided laterally of the holding section for the positive connection with the carrier profile and its groove, can preferably be present according to the invention over substantially the entire width of the carrier element on the front side, i.e., the exterior of the building. Preferably, the support sections of the connecting profile, which are provided flush with the carrier element and directly adjacent to it, extend over at least 70% to 80% of the entire width of the carrier element itself. With such a relatively wide support, good results for the improved statics of the positive connection and the coupling device according to the invention could be achieved.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the recess or groove of the form-fitting connection has a V-shape or U-shape in cross-section that narrows outwards from the support element. The recess or groove, which is realized in the support element for the form-fitting connection according to the invention, thus has a shape that widens inwards towards the building and narrows when viewed from the outside of the building. Due to this shape of a recess or groove, the connecting profile is securely held in the support element by the coupling device according to the invention against pulling out or detaching after installation. No additional anchor screws or the like are necessary to securely hold the facade elements to the outside of the building.Window elements can also be securely held to the building beams, such as longitudinal or transverse beams in a post-and-beam construction, with additional static bracing. The positive connection with such a recess or groove with undercuts can also have a different shape or design, as long as it is secured against pulling out. Cross-sections of such a recess or groove, for example, T-shaped, L-shaped, circular, or other cross-sections are also conceivable within the scope of the present invention, providing a positive connection with secure fixation to prevent the connecting profiles from coming out of the support element.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holding section of the connecting profile for the positive connection in the groove or recess of the support element has a substantially Y-shape or T-shape in cross-section with partially complementary side sections for corresponding engagement with an inner side of the undercuts of the groove or recess for the positive connection. With this measure, the holding section of the connecting profile, which can consist of an extruded or extruded aluminum material or other material, thus has a counter-shape that is only partially complementary for the positive connection, which, with the corresponding wall sections in terms of dimension and engagement in the recess or groove, then ensures the secure, firm fixation of the connecting profile to the support element. In this way, the connecting profile can be produced with less material and is therefore lighter.For example, additional elements can also be incorporated into the holding section of the connecting profile, such as screw channels at a front or side end. Furthermore, with such a Y- or T-shape, the forces when the form-fitting connection is loaded can be specifically diverted into the coupling connection. With the at least partial contact of the arms of the T-profile or Y-profile, a secure fixation can also be achieved in a form-fitting manner, without the need for a holding section made of solid material in the connecting profile. With a Y- or T-shaped cross-section of the holding section on the form-fitting part of the connecting profile, a relatively small intervention in the solid material of the support element is achieved.Due to the relatively thin form of the form-fitting connection with such a holding section, formed only by a simple central web, the solid materials of the support elements are only minimally affected by the machining or recessing of the groove. Thus, a relatively narrow groove can be provided, at least at the exit, with the undercuts located inside, thereby creating an improved form-fitting connection of the coupling device while still providing highly effective and statically effective stiffening and connection.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support element, which is present on the interior of the building as a basic holding element in the form of a longitudinal or transverse beam, is formed at least partially from a solid material made of wood or plastic. If the beam-shaped support element is made of wood, for example, a real wood beam, a molded wood made of MDF or chipboard, or a glued wood beam with several layers of individual boards glued together can be used. The wooden construction has the advantage that, through relatively simple milling or CNC machining, a groove with undercuts for the form-fitting connection for inserting the connecting profile with its holding section is possible. Wood also has advantages with regard to the building's CO2 footprint.A merely point-based fastening of the connecting profile to a wooden beam as a support element using screws or nails also leads to undesirable weakening effects: Due to the tensile load of the screws, which must be attached to the support element symmetrically to the structural axis, tensions are induced in the wood material, which arise from the moisture-dependent shrinkage and swelling of such natural materials. Stress cracks are therefore inevitably provoked in the coupling devices implemented in this way in the prior art. In contrast, the central, longitudinally sliding, and positive-locking force transmission according to the invention via the positive-lock connection, for example, on the central axis, i.e., the structural axis of the support element, results in such tensions being able to be dissipated without constraints within the wood material of the support element.This provides increased strength values ​​for such coupling devices in the interaction between the two elements' positive engagement. As an alternative to wood materials, a support element can also be manufactured from solid plastic. The advantage of plastic materials is that a final shape of the support element with the groove and undercuts can be easily realized, for example, through extrusion or injection molding.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the groove in the support element is produced by machining, in particular by milling, CNC machining or by shaping, in particular extrusion or die casting. The support elements can thus be manufactured in advance in predetermined lengths or as cut-to-size pieces with comparatively little manufacturing effort and thus at reduced costs, and can then be provided in the desired length for the respective application. Grooves can be easily machined into wooden beams using standard milling machines or CNC machines, including the necessary undercuts for the form-fitting connection with the holding section of the connecting profile in various shapes. Manufacturing by extrusion or die molding is also a relatively cost-effective process for plastic profiles.The positive connection of the coupling device according to the invention, which is then produced by inserting the connecting profile, not only offers the necessary rigidity, strength and static safety against torsion, damage or detachment in the context of both elements, but also a direct fixation of both parts.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connecting profile is provided with a screw channel as a fastening section for the facade element(s) or window part(s). With such a screw channel, the window parts, facade elements, such as glass facades or other facade panels, can then be directly attached to the outside of the connecting profile. Such a screw channel preferably extends over the entire length of the connecting profile and thus enables attachment at variable locations without the need for special holes for the attachment of fastening screws, etc. A screw channel according to the invention according to this aspect can extend or be open towards the outside of the building or can also be provided laterally for the assembly of elements from the sides.This means that the screw channels can be aligned both longitudinally along the long side of the support element and transversely to it. Combinations of these are also possible within the scope of the invention and are sometimes useful. This increases the variability in the fastening options for facade elements or window parts.

[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connecting profile has a hollow profile section as a fastening section for the facade element or window part. The installation of further elements on the exterior of the building facade is then carried out by appropriate coupling with this fastening section formed as a hollow profile. Such a hollow profile section can have a substantially rectangular shape and be provided with appropriate holes, grooves, or recesses for fastening screws or other fastening devices.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connecting profile has structures or holders for seals or other connecting parts on the side facing away from the support element. While the connecting profile according to the invention generally has a largely smooth and flat structure on the inside of its support sections towards the front of the support element, which is flush with the support element for improved support and absorption of forces for static stiffening, according to this aspect, corresponding structures such as projections, lugs, undercuts, shoulders, etc. are present on the outside of the connecting profile, namely on the side facing away from the support element, with which additional elements such as seals, cladding, thermal insulation elements, etc. can be easily integrated.Thus, additional functions can be implemented in the connection profile of the coupling device, which serve to further assemble and facilitate the connection of other elements without additional fastening means.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connecting profile consists of an extruded metallic material, in particular aluminum or an aluminum alloy, or of an extruded plastic material. The coupling device according to the invention is thus relatively lightweight yet highly strong and rigid for structural support and stiffening of the facades. The connecting profile has sufficient rigidity even against lateral deformations and twisting (torsion), while the underlying support element can also be made of a non-metallic material or solid material.With such an extruded metallic material for the connecting profile, it is possible to realize different connecting contours such as grooves, L-shapes or similar, as well as the correspondingly expanding shape of the fastening section (of the connecting profile) for the groove on the support element, without the need for complex on-site processing.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one support element is part of a frame or grid structure, in particular with a post and beam construction. The support element forming the statics for the building is thus part of a construction made of cross and longitudinal beams made of solid material, which are used, for example, in the form of a post and beam construction for such facades. Alternatively, the support element can be part of a frame element with beam-shaped cross and longitudinal beams, which is used to produce the load-bearing structure made of solid material, for example wood, in a building opening, in particular on the outside of the building's facade. The connecting profiles then attached to the outside of the support element can be applied either only partially or only in one direction, for example in the vertical direction of the support elements.Alternatively, longer connecting profiles can be used, and connecting profiles can also be attached to both the cross and longitudinal beams in such a post / rail construction. The advantages of the invention according to this aspect are that the actual substructure of the support elements forms a statically very strong and stable construction made of solid material, which is not unnecessarily weakened by special designs or attachment methods such as screws, nails, or the like. The inherent rigidity of the material of the beams is thus almost fully utilized, and the forces acting on the building façade, such as compressive forces, tensile forces, wind forces, etc., are reliably absorbed. The quick and easy installation of the attached connecting profiles also offers a more efficient design that can be easily varied on site.With the form of positive fastening of connecting profiles according to the invention inserted into undercuts or grooves, further diverse variants in the structure can be realized while still securely connecting the elements necessary for static purposes and for the fixing and installation of windows or the like on building facades.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support element is a frame with interconnected vertical and horizontal beam elements. Thus, the support elements made of solid material not only have a high degree of inherent rigidity, but also a high overall strength as a frame construction for installing windows, e.g., via the inserted connecting profiles.

[0027] The connection profile according to the invention, which primarily serves to accommodate facade elements such as glass or windows, is thus optimally adapted to these tasks and functions. The connection, fastening, and sealing of the window elements or glass can be achieved here, while the underlying support element made of solid material provides the primary function of static strength, with both elements together achieving particularly increased strength due to the positive connection according to the invention. The seal receiving grooves are provided in the connection profile of the coupling device according to the invention. With such grooves, contact seals inserted therein can create a seal between the interior of the building and the exterior of the facade.In conventional solutions of this type for coupling devices, for example, glass panes in glass facade elements, this contact seal is usually penetrated with facade screws in order to fasten the insert elements to the connecting profile. In conventional solutions, this creates openings in the water-bearing rebate plane of the facade construction. These can result in water vapor that forms in the rebate penetrating the support material of the support element, which is made of solid wood, for example, because the connecting profile must in turn contain openings for the fastening screws. With the solution according to the invention, this is no longer necessary due to the screw grooves or screw channels. With wood as the material of the support element, this can lead to considerable problems later on, namely rot and thus to the inoperability of the coupling device of the facade as a whole.In the invention, the openings described are therefore not present or unnecessary, which leads to further advantages in terms of fatigue strength, durability and protection against moisture penetration.

[0028] Further features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to several embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0029] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a coupling device according to the invention of a facade construction with a wooden post-and-beam facade and a connecting profile attached thereto with the coupling device;

[0030] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a coupling device according to the invention when used for a window construction of a frame window with static reinforcement of the central mullion; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a coupling device according to the invention for a window construction with a window band and static reinforcement at the frame joint of the window; and

[0031] Fig. 4 is a perspective, partial view of an embodiment of a coupling device according to the invention using the example of a post / rail facade construction with support elements made of solid material and connecting profiles for facade elements or window elements inserted therein.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a coupling device 10 according to the invention using an example of a facade construction in which a facade element 12, shown here as a glass facade with triple glazing, is mounted on a support element 1 in the form of a beam-shaped longitudinal beam on the inside of the building. The coupling device 10 serves not only to attach facade elements 12, but also to provide static bracing through the coupling between the support element 1 and a connecting profile 3, to which the facade element 12 is mounted via a screw channel 23 by means of screws 9 and a counterpart 11 for fastening the facade element 12. In this example in Fig. 1, the support element 1 is a wooden beam of a post-and-beam construction, as used in building facades.

[0033] The support element 1, realized here as a wooden beam, is provided with a form-fitting connection 5 according to the invention for assembling and attaching the connecting profile 2, which in this exemplary embodiment comprises a groove 7 with a substantially V-shaped cross-section. The connecting profile 2 is provided with a form-fitting part 4 which is at least partially V-shaped, the holding section 21 of which is form-fittingly connected to the support element 1 made of solid material by simply pushing and inserting it into the groove 7. The support element 1, realized here as a wooden beam made of solid material, is, for example, part of a mullion-and-transom facade and accordingly has longitudinal beams and cross beams on the inside of the building. The facade elements 12 attached to it on the outside of the building are either glass facade parts, as shown in Fig. 1, or facade parts of a different construction.

[0034] With the coupling device 10 according to the invention, the form-locking connection 5 provides a secure fixation and, at the same time, a statically effective coupling for improved force absorption and support of the facade elements 12 on the building exterior. The coupling device 10 does not require any additional fastening elements as in conventional constructions of this type, since the form-locking connection 5 itself and the simple insertion of the form-locking part 4 with the holding section 21 into the groove 7 directly achieve a firm connection and additional stiffening for improving the statics of the entire facade of the building.

[0035] The support element 1 can, as shown, be made of a multi-layer solid wood made of glued boards as a wooden beam, or also of solid wood or MDF beams. Other materials for the support element 1 made of plastic or similar are also possible within the scope of the invention, as long as they can support a static main beam load and can be provided with a corresponding groove 7 with undercuts 6 or, alternatively, a preformed recess in the case of plastic beams, for example. The connecting profile 2, in turn, is realized in this embodiment as an extruded aluminum profile. However, it can also be made of other metallic materials or even of plastic.

[0036] 1, the connecting profile 2 has a substantially cruciform cross-sectional shape with the vertical, thin holding section 21 projecting towards the support element 1 in a type of Y-shape for insertion into the groove 7 of the form-fitting connection 5. On the outer side, which is the front side of the support element 1, the connecting profile 2 in this example has lateral support sections 21 each, which are formed such that they lie flat and flush against the front side of the support element 1 to support the form-fitting connection 5. For the actual assembly of the facade element 12, the connecting profile 2 is further provided here with a central screw channel 23. The fastening screws for mounting the counterpart 11 for fastening the facade element 12 to the facade or other assembly parts can be screwed into the screw channel 23.In addition, seals 8 are provided between the facade element 12 and the connecting profile 2 or the support element 1, which serve to seal the facade element 12 on the outside of the building.

[0037] The coupling device 10 according to the invention thus realized provides a highly effective mounting system, which is directly further statically stiffened by the coupling and is also easy to install. This mounting system is particularly effective in wooden beam constructions for support elements 1 on facades. Due to the positive connection 5 and the direct integration of the connecting profile 2 into the groove 7 or recess, statically effective stiffening is also realized due to the type of connection between the parts 1, 2. The support elements 1 are not damaged or structurally weakened by the screws or similar previously required in the prior art, and no additional fastening means are required for assembly.The coupling device 10 according to the invention therefore has very high strength and connection rigidity for such facade elements 12 or window elements 13 of buildings, as well as a secure hold of the facade elements 12. Unintentional detachment of facade elements 12 is reliably avoided in all situations, since a secure fixation is achieved consistently over the entire length of the form-fitting connection 5 and not just at specific points by the two force-absorbing parts, namely the support element 1 and the connecting profile 2, in cooperation with mechanical synergistic effects.

[0038] In the second exemplary embodiment, which is shown in a cross-sectional view in Fig. 2, the coupling device 10 also has, as a base on the inside of the building, a support element 1 made of solid wood, which is realized centrally on the front side (outside of the building) with a groove 7 with a V-shaped cross-section and undercuts 6, as in the previous first exemplary embodiment. This groove 7 with the undercuts 6 serves for the positive connection 5 according to the invention: a positive-locking part 4 of the connecting profile 2 with a holding section 21, which here has a substantially Y-shaped cross-section, is inserted into the groove 7 by simply pushing the support element 1 into the groove 7 in the longitudinal direction.The holding section 21 is provided with complementary side sections, i.e. at least section-by-section shaped correspondingly, at the same angle and dimension as the undercuts 6 of the groove 7, so that a firm form-fitting connection 5 between the connecting profile 2 and the support element 1 is then realized directly after the parts have been plugged together or inserted.

[0039] In contrast to the first embodiment (Fig. 1), in the second embodiment according to Fig. 2, the coupling device 10 is not intended for the installation of a facade element 12, but serves for the installation and simultaneous bracing of a window 13. For this purpose, a central post 14 of the structure of the window 13 is fastened to the connecting profile 2, namely the support sections 22 of the form-fitting part 4 of the connecting profile 2. The installation of the window 13 on the facade of the building is thus comparatively simple and requires no additional fastening means such as screws or nails. Furthermore, a statically effective type of connection to the coupling device 10 is provided by the form-fitting connection 5.The strength and rigidity of the connection of the window 13 to the building is thereby improved, since both the connecting profile 2 and the support element 1, which is also implemented here as a wooden beam, provide a common static reinforcement of this area of ​​the facade at the window 13. The other aspects and features according to the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment in Fig. 1, so that reference can be made to the parts provided with corresponding reference numerals in the above description.

[0040] The third exemplary embodiment, which is shown in a cross-sectional view in Fig. 3, is also a coupling device 10 according to the invention for a window construction for mounting a window 13 on the outside of a building. Here, too, a beam made of solid wood is provided as the support element 1, in which a V-shaped groove 7 is introduced or machined centrally on the front side. The V-shaped groove 7 and the form-fitting part 4, which is adapted in shape and dimension, can form a dovetail connection as a form-fitting connection 5 according to the invention. Instead of the V-shaped groove 7, other shapes of grooves 7 or recesses can also be used, as long as they have undercuts 6 in such a way that a form-fitting connection 5 with the holding section 21 of the connecting profile 2 is achieved, which is secured against coming out and lateral tilting movements.Here, the connecting profile 2 is provided with fastening sections 3 for mounting the window frame 15 of a window 13, which are oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction or longitudinal axis of the coupling device 10, i.e., parallel to the surface of the window 13. In this example of Fig. 3, the connecting profile 2 is also provided with further sections and structures that serve for attaching seals 8 or structural components for mounting the window 13 or the window frame 15.

[0041] The partial perspective view according to Fig. 4 of the drawings shows an embodiment of a coupling device 10 according to the invention, in which the support elements 1 of the device 10 form a grid-like post / rail construction, which is frequently used in such building facades. This means that the support elements 1 form both firmly coupled cross members and longitudinal members in the vertical and horizontal directions, each of which is provided with the groove-shaped recesses 7 for the installation of the connecting profiles 2 with correspondingly shaped fastening sections 3, for example in the form of a dovetail connection. The connecting profiles 2 can only be present in sections on the support elements 1.Alternatively, they can also be attached to the support elements 1 along their entire length, whereby the actual stiffening and statics are created by the connection of the horizontal and vertical support elements 1 (post / beam construction) and their inherent stiffness (solid material beams).

[0042] As in the previous exemplary embodiments, the screw channels 23 according to the invention are formed in the connecting profiles 2, which are used for screwing in the fastening elements for the facade elements 12 or windows 13. The actual assembly of the facade elements 12 therefore does not take place on a metallic hollow profile formed as the support element 1, as in the prior art, but on the connecting profiles, which in turn are mounted on the support elements 1 that provide the statics, for example by means of the dovetail connection shown here (V-shaped groove 7 and form-fitting part 4 of the form-fitting connection 5). In this way, a novel construction of support elements 1 made of solid material, for example support elements 1 made of solid wood, is provided, which themselves have a compact and highly stable design without being locally weakened by screws or nails.A continuous and flat connection of the connecting profiles 2 inserted therein is ensured by the special shape of the form-fitting connection 5, for example in dovetail shape, so that overall a high-strength connection of the elements is guaranteed: The support elements 1 form the basic construction for the production of the static unit on the facade, while the connecting profiles 2 mounted thereon via the form-fitting connection 5 only serve to assemble and hold facade elements 12.

[0043] This innovatively distributes the task of strength and support between the two basic elements, namely the support elements 1 and the connecting profiles 2: While the support elements 1 serve the entire static load of the facade, the connecting profiles 2 mounted therein, even if only partially mounted, function only for the assembly and securing of the facade elements 12, 13. This provides a coupling device 10 for such facades that is optimized with regard to the types of load. The attachment structure of the connecting profiles 2 is primarily subjected to tensile and compressive loads and is accommodated by the dovetail-like form-fitting connection 5 of the coupling device 10.The supporting elements 1 located behind them, on the other hand, serve to ensure the complete strength and statics of the facade itself, whereby they are highly resilient to tension and compression as well as shear stress and thus form a secure basic construction for the facades of such buildings due to the coupling device 10 according to the invention.

[0044] Due to the special shape of the form-fitting connection 5 provided with a V-shaped recess or groove 7, which can be a type of dovetail connection, for example, the screw holes or fastenings by means of nails in the solid material of the support elements 1, which were previously necessary in the prior art, are no longer necessary. This, on the one hand, prevents local weakening of the material of the support elements 1. On the other hand, so-called vapor migration can be avoided, which can lead to rot or damage to such support elements 1 made of solid material, for example made of wood. Last but not least, the coupling device 10 according to the invention is easy to install. Secure couplings can be created by simply sliding the corresponding form-fitting connections 5 with the form-fitting part 4 and the groove 7 of the beam-like support elements 1.Complex screwing at several individual points is not necessary and a continuous and secure mounting in a linear form is provided compared to the point-like fixation otherwise found with screws or nails.

[0045] The form-fitting connection 5 according to the invention can also have other cross-sectional shapes than the V-shaped groove 7 shown in the figures with the Y-shaped cross-section holding section 21 of the connecting profile 2. For example, L-shaped or even round grooves 7 or recesses can be provided, into which correspondingly complementarily shaped holding sections 21 of the connecting profiles 2 engage, provided with matching counter-shapes. The form-fitting connection 5 only requires at least one undercut 6, through which the firm connection and attachment of the connecting profile 2 to the main force-bearing support element i is enabled by means of the form-fitting connection 5, which is secured against coming out.

[0046] It is also conceivable that, instead of in the longitudinal direction of the support elements 1, grooves 7 or recesses are also provided at least partially in the transverse direction. It is also possible, if necessary, to provide several form-fitting connections 5 next to one another on a single support element 1 in order to achieve even greater strength and resistance in the static reinforcement with the coupling device 10 according to the invention.

[0047] As far as the materials and designs of the support element 1 are concerned, all solid materials can be used here, as long as a groove 7 or a recess with undercuts 6 can be produced in the material. The production of a groove 7 in the support element 1 can be achieved by machining or during the molding of, for example, plastic supports. The advantages of the coupling device 10 according to the invention are not only easier assembly and lower costs. Furthermore, a fully coupled and statically effective stiffening is provided despite the externally attached add-on construction with the connecting profile 2. Both transverse forces and longitudinal forces, i.e. holding forces against pull-out, as well as torsional rigidity are thus significantly improved with regard to their absorption and dissipation of stresses occurring on the facade of the building.

[0048] List of reference symbols

[0049] 1 support element

[0050] 2 connection profile

[0051] 21 stopping section

[0052] 22 support section

[0053] 23 screw channel

[0054] 3 Fastening section

[0055] 4 Form-fitting part

[0056] 5 Form-fitting connection

[0057] 6 Undercut or undercut

[0058] 7 Groove or recess

[0059] 8 Seal

[0060] 9 Screw

[0061] 10 Coupling device

[0062] 11 Counterpart facade fastening

[0063] 12 facade elements

[0064] 13 windows

[0065] 14 center posts

[0066] 15 window frames

Claims

Claims 1. Coupling device (10) for the construction of facades or windows of buildings with at least one longitudinal or transverse beam on an inner side of the facade in the form of a beam-shaped, statically effective support element (1) and with a connecting profile (2) which can be attached to it, preferably on an outer side of the building and which has one or more fastening sections (3) for mounting windows, facade parts or wall elements of the building, characterized in that the support element (1) is formed from a non-metallic solid material and has at least one recess or groove (7) provided with undercuts (6) corresponding to an at least partially complementarily shaped form-fitting part (4) with a holding section (21) of the connecting profile (2) for a statically effective form-fitting connection (5) with the connecting profile (2).

2. Coupling device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting profile (2) is provided with at least one support section (22) which is flush with and directly adjacent to an outer side of the carrier element (1).

3. Coupling device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recess or groove (7) has a V-shape or U-shape in cross section which narrows outwards from the carrier element (1).

4. Coupling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding section (21) of the connecting profile (2) has a substantially Y-shape or T-shape in cross section with partially complementary side sections for the shape-corresponding contact with an inner side of the groove (7) for the form-fitting connection (5).

5. Coupling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element (1) is at least partially made of a solid material made of wood, in particular real wood, molded wood MDF, glued wood beams or plastic.

6. Coupling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the groove (7) in the carrier element (1) is produced by machining, in particular milling or CNC machining, or by shaping, in particular extrusion or die casting.

7. Coupling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting profile (2) is provided with a screw channel (23) as a fastening section (3) for the facade element (12) or window part (13).

8. Coupling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting profile (2) has a hollow profile section as a fastening section (3) for the facade element (12) or window part (13).

9. Coupling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting profile (2) has structures or holders for seals (8) or other connecting parts on the side facing away from the carrier element (1).

10. Coupling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting profile (2) consists of an extruded metallic material, in particular aluminum or aluminum alloys, or extruded plastic material.

11. Coupling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one support element (1) is part of a frame or grid structure with, in particular, a post / rail construction.

2. Coupling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (1) is a frame with interconnected vertical and horizontal beam elements.

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