Cleat Profile Connection for Door and Window Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door and window systems require fixed positions for profiles before assembly, preventing non-destructive repositioning or adjustment during production or usage, and often necessitate external screwing that limits flexibility and resistance to external loads.

Innovation Solution

A door and window system with inner and outer cleat profiles and a rack-and-pinion mechanism allows for non-destructive repositioning and secure fixing of transom/mullion profiles within the frame without external screwing, using a cleat installation tool to adjust positions and engage with frame profiles through special geometric cross-sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If profiles are fixed and assembled rigidly before frame completion, then structural stability is achieved, but repositioning and adjustment become impossible after assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidrepositioning capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the profile connection into modular components: frame profiles with channels, cleat profiles with protrusions, and retaining elements. This segmentation allows individual components to be assembled and disassembled independently while maintaining overall structural stability during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system transitions from a static rigid assembly to a dynamic system where profiles can be positioned, fixed, repositioned, and refixed at any time during production, installation, or usage through the removable retaining elements and adjustable cleat mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If external screwing is used to fix profiles to frame, then secure attachment is achieved, but flexibility and adaptability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidassembly flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The screwing operation is extracted from the external frame edge and relocated to internal channel locations where retaining elements engage with cleat profiles. This allows secure attachment through internal mechanical engagement rather than external screwing, enabling flexibility in triple or quadruple assemblies where external access is limited.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Cleat profiles with special geometric cross-sections act as intermediaries between the frame profiles and transom/mullion profiles. These cleats engage with frame channels and provide attachment points for transom/mullion profiles through retaining elements, eliminating the need for direct external screwing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If frame profiles are stretched to accommodate protruding fixing parts, then profile positioning is achieved, but frame integrity and stretchability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile positioning precisionVSAvoidframe integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of stretching the frame profile outward to accommodate protruding fixing parts, the system inverts the approach by having fixing parts (retaining elements) engage inward with cleat profiles that are already positioned within the frame channels. This eliminates the need for frame stretching while maintaining precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Adaptability or versatility

If cleat profiles are fixed before frame assembly, then transom/mullion repositioning is enabled, but cleat disassembly becomes impossible after frame assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransom repositioning capabilityVSAvoidcleat disassembly capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Cleat profiles are preliminarily positioned within frame channels before transom/mullion profiles are assembled, enabling transom repositioning capability. The retaining elements are then fixed to secure the cleats in their preliminary positions, allowing both repositioning during assembly and subsequent disassembly for repair or reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables flexible repositioning and secure assembly of profiles during production and usage, resisting external loads without deforming the frame and allowing for complex assemblies like triple or quadruple configurations without external screwing.

Implementation Method 1

A door and window system with inner and outer cleat profiles and a rack-and-pinion mechanism allows for non-destructive repositioning and secure fixing of transom/mullion profiles within the frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRack and pinion mechanism: Rack and Pinion

Data Source

PatentEP2453068B1Detachable connection of mullion and transom profiles
Publication Date: 2016.06.29 CUHADAROGLU METAL SANAYI & PAZARLAMA AS
  • EP2453068B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2453068B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2453068B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention refers to a door and window system consisting of transom/mullion profiles and frame profiles wherein a fixing part in form of a cleat profile with special geometric cross-section is placed into a horizontal, vertical or angular transom/mullion profile, and this fixing part in the transom or mullion profile is moved by being slid in the transom/mullion profile at first towards the frame profile; later on cleat profile stands are fitted to frame profile tabs; and finally the transom or mullion profiles are fixed to the frame profile when tightened by means of an installation screw; whereby said profiles can be non-destructively disassembled, moved and fixed again anytime during production, installation or usage.