Roof Window Mounting Bracket With Spring-Assisted Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roof window installations on sloping or inclined roofs are time-consuming and prone to errors due to the need for precise measurement and alignment, which is difficult for unskilled workers to achieve accurately.

Innovation Solution

A roof window system with integrated mounting brackets featuring urging means, such as springs or magnets, that facilitate intuitive and secure fitting, allowing for adjustable positioning without temporary fixing, and providing sensory feedback for correct alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate fixtures are provided and attached to the window assembly during installation, then the mounting flexibility is improved, but the installation time increases and the complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the mounting bracket and the window frame into a single integrated assembly. The bracket is pre-attached to the window frame during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate attachment operations during installation. This merging of components directly reduces installation time while maintaining mounting flexibility through the integrated design that allows adjustment to accommodate different roof covering thicknesses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate fixtures are provided and attached to the window assembly during installation, then the mounting flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is integrated with the window frame as a single pre-assembled unit, reducing the number of separate components that installers must handle and assemble. This integration simplifies the installation process by eliminating multiple attachment steps while retaining the ability to adjust the mounting height to accommodate various roof covering materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If temporary pinning means are used to hold the roof mountable means in the in use position, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket incorporates a spring mechanism that automatically maintains the bracket in the correct positioned state during installation. The spring provides continuous urging force that holds the adjustment mechanism in place without requiring temporary pins or additional fastening operations, thereby achieving both positioning accuracy and reduced installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If the roof mountable means is made adjustable relative to the frame mountable means, then the adaptability to different roof coverings is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidbracket complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket employs a spring-loaded adjustment mechanism that allows dynamic positioning of the roof mountable means relative to the frame mountable means. The spring mechanism enables easy adjustment to different positions to accommodate various roof covering thicknesses while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of elastic deformation rather than complex mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Ensures accurate and reliable installation of roof windows on various roof coverings with minimal skill required, reducing installation time and errors by using prefabricated adjustable mechanisms for precise alignment.

Implementation Method 1

the mounting bracket has urging means such as a spring or magnet or both for urging the roof mountable means into either or both of the storage position and the in use mounting position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the mounting bracket has urging means such as a spring or magnet or both for urging the roof mountable means into either or both of the storage position and the in use mounting position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3249132B1A roof window
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 KEYLITE ROOF WINDOWS
  • EP3249132B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3249132B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3249132B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mounting bracket for a roof window comprising frame mountable means, roof mountable means and means for mechanically coupling the roof mountable means and the frame mountable means together so that the roof mountable means is movable between an out of use storage position and an in use mounting position and urging means for urging the roof mountable means into either or both of the out of use storage position and the in use mounting position.