WO2025077987A1 - A mounting bracket for use when mounting a roof window in a roof structure of a building, a roof window with a mounting bracket, and a method for mounting a roof window in a roof structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A mounting bracket for use when mounting a roof window in a roof opening in a roof structure of a building is disclosed. The roof window comprises a window frame and a pane. The window frame comprises a bottom window frame member, a top window frame member, and two side window frame members together delimiting a window frame opening covered by the pane. Each window frame member has a length axis extending in parallel with a side of the window frame opening. The mounting bracket comprises a first member configured for being attached to the window frame, a second member configured for being attached to the roof structure, and an adjustment member allowing the second member to be moved in relation to the first member between a passive position and an active position. The mounting bracket further comprises a spring forcing the second member towards the active position. A roof window comprising at least one mounting bracket, and a method for mounting a roof window are also disclosed.

Description

Title of Invention

A mounting bracket for use when mounting a roof window in a roof structure of a building, a roof window with a mounting bracket, and a method for mounting a roof window in a roof structure.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a mounting bracket for use when mounting a roof window in a roof opening in a roof structure of a building, said roof window comprising a window frame and a pane, said window frame comprising a bottom window frame member, a top window frame member, and two side window frame members together delimiting a window frame opening covered by the pane, each window frame member having a length axis extending in parallel with a side of the window frame opening, where the mounting bracket comprises a first member configured for being attached to the window frame, a second member configured for being attached to the roof structure, and an adjustment member allowing the second member to be moved in relation to the first member between a passive position and an active position. The invention further relates to a roof window with a mounting bracket and to a method for mounting a roof window in a roof structure, such as an inclined roof structure.

Background Art

When installing a roof window in a roof structure, it is vital to ensure that the roof window is attached safely to the roof structure so that it does not come loose and falls into the building covered by the roof structure or is sucked off the roof structure by heavy winds. Mounting brackets attached to a window frame of the roof window and to the roof structure are used for this purpose. For use in inclined roof structures, the mounting brackets are typically L-shaped with a first member extending along an outer side of the window frame of the roof window and a second member extending away from the window frame, over an exterior side of the roof structure in the mounted state of the roof window. The mounting brackets are typically pre-mounted on the window frame of the roof window and are typically attached to the roof structure during mounting, for example by passing screws through openings in the second member and into roof structure. The window frame may be mounted from the exterior side, in which case the window frame is brought onto the roof surface and arranged in the roof opening, or from the interior side, in which case the window is brought into the building and passed through the window frame opening.

Pre-mounted L-shaped mounting brackets, however, take up a lot of space during storage and transport of the roof window prior to mounting, and impacts on the projecting mounting brackets may cause damage to the mounting brackets themselves, to other parts of the roof window, or to the items or persons hitting them. To avoid such problems, foldable mounting brackets have been developed, examples being described in EP2055859A1 , US6629391 B1 , US4920713A, and EP2427607. These mounting brackets are initially in a passive position, where the second member does not project from the window frame, and are folded into an active position before mounting in the roof structure using the adjustment member, which may be simply a weakened section of the mounting bracket or a more complex hinge-like structure.

The foldable mounting brackets can be folded before or during mounting of the window frame, and the latter may facilitate handling of the window frame during mounting, but the mounting of roof windows still involves considerable risks. Tools or product components, possibly even the entire frame, may be dropped during the mounting, posing a damager especially to people on the ground below the building, and installers sometimes lose their footing during the mounting process, as it is difficult to keeps one’s balance while handling large items, such as roof windows.

Summary of Invention

With this background, it is an object of the invention to provide a mounting bracket, a roof window, and a method of mounting a roof window, which further facilitate the mounting of roof windows.

In a first aspect of the invention, this and further objects are achieved with a mounting bracket of the kind mentioned in the introduction which is furthermore characterised in that it comprises a spring forcing the second member towards the active position.

The provision of the spring results in that the mounting bracket places itself in the active position if unaffected by external loads.

The adjustment member in combination with the spring thus allows the mounting bracket to yield, for example when coming into contact with the roof structure when the window frame is passed through the roof opening during mounting from the interior side, and to subsequently automatically revert to the active position. It thereby provides a high degree of freedom in the handling of the window frame. The ability to yield reduces the risk of damage to both the window frame, the mounting bracket, the roof structure, and the installer.

During storage and transport the mounting bracket can be restrained in the passive position, and it will then automatically move to the active position when the restraint is removed. It is thus no longer necessary to manually reconfigure the mounting bracket, for example by folding, before attaching it to the roof structure. Depending on the design of the restraint, this removal operation will usually be less complicated than a manual reconfiguration of the mounting bracket, leading to a reduced risk of errors. Furthermore, the working conditions of the installer may be improved as the removal of a restraint will usually be easier to perform than a manual reconfiguration, especially where space is limited. The restraint may be left while bringing the window frame into position and only removed shortly before the mounting bracket is to be connected to the roof structure.

The adjustment member may be a hinge, such as a flag hinge, a flush hinge, a butt hinge, or a knife hinge, where a pin defines a hinge axis, or a film hinge, a living hinge or the like, where the hinge axis is defined by a section of material, which is weaker than those surrounding it. The adjustment member could also be a set of guide members, such as a groove in the first member accommodating a projection on or an edge of the second member, thereby allowing the second member to slide in relation to the first member.

If the adjustment member is a hinge, it is present considered advantageous that the hinge axis extends in parallel to the length axis of a window frame member at which the mounting bracket is arranged.

The embodiment of the spring will depend on the embodiment of the hinge, but it is generally possible to use any type of spring, including wire springs, leaf springs, and springs relying on the compression or expansion of material. Structurally simple spring designs are, however, preferred to avoid adding too much cost to the mounting bracket and to avoid sources of error associated with a more complex design. In one embodiment, the spring is a wire spring having a first leg abutting on the first member and a second leg abutting on the second member. This spring may further comprise a section encircling a hinge pin to keep the spring in place. In another embodiment the spring is a coil spring or a block of an elastic material, which is compressed between the first member and the second member when the mounting bracket is in the passive position and expands when the mounting bracket moves to the active position. In still another embodiment the spring is a leaf spring, which is bent when the mounting bracket is in the passive position and extends when the mounting bracket moves to the active position.

The first member and/or the second member may be plate shaped, so that the mounting bracket resembles a traditional mounting bracket. This may be advantageous in that a relatively large surface of contact with the window frame and the roof structure is provided. It is, however, also possible for one or both of the first member and the second member to be a rod, possibly bent into an L-shape or a U-shape for improved transmission of force to the window frame and/or roof structure. Holes or openings may be provided for receiving fasteners, such as screws, used for connecting the mounting bracket to the window frame and/or the roof structure.

In one embodiment, the first member and the second member are located in continuation of each other along the hinge axis. This allows for a simple design, where the first and second members will not be overlapping even if extending along the same side of a window frame member. This may especially be advantageous if the first member and the second member both extend along an outer side of a window frame member when in the passive position, as the presence of the mounting bracket will then not result in any substantial increase in the outer dimensions of the roof window.

The mounting bracket may further comprise a stop member delimiting movement of the mounting bracket from passive position to active position at least in a mounted state of the mounting bracket, thus preventing the second member from moving further than intended. The stop member may for example be a projection on the second member coming into contact with the window frame when the active position has been reached, or projection on the first member coming into contact with the second member when the active position has been reached. Alternatively, or additionally, a part of the adjustment member may prevent movement beyond a certain point. As one example, if the adjustment member comprises guide members allowing the second member to slide in relation to the first member, an end stop may be provided in the guide member.

The mounting bracket may be provided with visual or audio feed-back features allowing the installer to know if the mounting bracket has entered the active position. In one embodiment, a surface of the mounting bracket which will only be visible in the mounted state of the window frame if the mounting bracket is in the active position, has a different colour from the rest of the mounting bracket. The colour is preferably chosen among colours contrasting the colours of other parts of the roof window and the colours of the roof structure, such as for example bright red or bright green.

In a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved with a method for mounting a roof window in a roof opening in a roof structure of a building, where said roof window comprises a window frame, a pane, and a plurality of mounting bracket, said window frame comprising a bottom window frame member, a top window frame member, and two side window frame members together delimiting a window frame opening covered by the pane, each window frame member having a length axis extending in parallel with a side of the window frame opening, and at least some of said mounting brackets comprising a first member attached to the window frame, a second member configured for being attached to the roof structure, and an adjustment member allowing the second member to be moved in relation to the first member between a passive position and an active position, and where said method comprises the following sequence of steps:

A) supporting the bottom window frame member at a bottom edge of the roof structure delimiting the roof opening,

B) swinging at least the window frame about an axis extending in parallel to the length axis of the bottom window frame member, and

C) connecting at least one mounting bracket located at the top window frame member to the roof structure at a top edge of the roof structure delimiting the roof opening, said method further being characterised in that during step B)

- a part of the window frame comprising at least a part of the top window frame member is passed through the roof opening from an interior of the building,

- when the top window frame member passes into the roof opening, the second member of the mounting bracket located at the top window frame member is forced into the passive position, thereby deforming a spring of the mounting bracket, and

- when the top window frame member has passed through the roof opening, the spring forces the second member back into the active position.

The mounting bracket’s ability to yield allows them to initially be in the active position, to be pressed into the passive position during mounting, and to automatically return to the active position. The installer can then simply lower the window frame of the roof window, until the mounting bracket comes to rest on the roof structure under the influence of gravity, not having to do any manual reconfiguration of the mounting bracket. While reference is here made to the window frame of the roof window, it will often be possible to mount the entire roof window in this way.

Supporting the bottom window frame member at a bottom edge of the roof structure may be achieved by a direct contact between the bottom window frame member and the bottom edge of the roof structure, or by supporting at least one mounting bracket located at the bottom window frame member at the bottom edge. The bottom window frame member may be support directly on an element of the roof structure, on a support frame lining the roof opening, or on a bracket provided on an element of the roof structure or on a support frame.

All embodiment and advantages described above with reference to the first aspect of the invention also applies to the second aspect of the invention.

Brief Description of Drawings

In the following description embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the schematic drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of three roof windows mounted in two roof openings in an inclined roof structure;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of two roof openings in an inclined roof structure;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional side view of a roof window taken along the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional side view of the roof window of Fig. 3 taken along the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional side view of the roof window of Fig. 3 taken along the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional side view of the roof window of Fig. 3 taken along the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 7 shows detail VII of Fig. 4 in the embodiment of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 shows detail VII of Fig. 4 in the embodiment of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket according to the invention;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket according to the invention;

Fig. 11 is a top view of a mounting bracket according to the invention;

Fig. 12 is a bottom view of a mounting bracket according to the invention;

Fig. 13 is a side view of a mounting bracket according to the invention; and Fig. 14 is a side view of a spring.

Description of Embodiments

In the following detailed description, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, it is to be understood that features of the different embodiments are exchangeable between the embodiments and may be combined in different ways, unless anything else is specifically indicated. It may also be noted that, for the sake of clarity, the dimensions of certain components illustrated in the drawings may differ from the corresponding dimensions in real-life implementations.

It is noted that terms such as “up”, “down”, “left-hand”, “right-hand”, “exterior”, “interior”, “outer”, “inner” are relative and refers to the viewpoint in question. In general, when referred to an exterior side, this relates to a side of a roof window in the mounted condition facing the outdoors or external side of the building. Conversely, an interior side refers to a side facing the internal side of the building, i.e. typically a subjacent room including any light shaft. Terms such as “outwards” and “inwards” are directions generally perpendicular to an interior-exterior direction, taking as its base point a centre of the roof window.

In the following, the same reference numbers will be used for all features having substantially the same function, even if they are not identical. Unless otherwise stated, it is to be understood that functions and advantages described with reference to one embodiment of a feature also apply to other embodiments.

Referring initially to Fig. 1 , three roof windows 1 are shown mounted in two roof openings in an inclined roof structure 2, two roof windows being mounted closely side-by-side in the left-hand opening and a single roof window being mounted in the right-hand opening. Each roof window comprises a pane 11 covering a window frame opening formed by a bottom window frame member, a top window frame member, and two side window frame members of a window frame, each window frame member having a length axis L extending in parallel with a side of the window frame opening. In this embodiment the pane is carried by a sash connected to the window frame, and frame and sash covered by covering and cladding members 12.

Fig. 2 shows the roof structure without the roof windows, and it is seen that the roof openings 20 are here lined with support frames 30 each composed of four support structures 3 extending along the four sides of the roof openings. The support frames support the roof windows as will be described in further detail below, connecting them to the roof structure, and further has thermal insulating properties.

Figs. 3-6 show a sequence of mounting a roof window in a cross section corresponding to that marked Ill-Ill in Fig. 1. The roof window 1 here comprises a pane 11 , covering members 12, a window frame 13, and a sash 14.

In the first step of the sequence shown in Fig. 3, a bottom window frame member 131 of the window frame is supported at a bottom edge of the roof structure 2, while the roof window remains in an interior of the building covered by the roof structure. The bottom window frame member is here supported on a flange projecting from a bottom support frame member 31 of a support frame 3.

In the second step of the sequence, the roof window 1 is swung about an axis extending in parallel to the length axis L of the bottom window frame member 131 to the position shown in Fig. 4 and further to the position shown in Fig. 5.

When the top frame member 132 passes into the roof opening 20, the mounting bracket 7, which will be described in further detail below, is forced out of the active position shown in Fig. 3 and into a passive position, where it does not project from the top window frame member 132.

As the swinging movement is continued to the position of the roof window shown in Fig. 5, the upper part of the roof window comprising the top window frame member 132 is passed through the roof opening from an interior of the building to the exterior, allowing the mounting bracket 7 to return to the active position. In the embodiment shown, the roof window reaches a position, where about one third of the top window frame member is moved into the exterior, but it is possible to move the roof window further or less, as long as the mounting bracket is able to return to the active position.

In the third step of the sequence the position of the roof window 1 is lower than the position shown in Fig. 6, so that the mounting bracket, which is now in the active position, comes to rest on the roof structure 2 or, as in the embodiment shown, on a top support frame member 32 of a support frame 3 under the influence of gravity.

In the fourth step of the sequence, the mounting bracket 7 is connected to the roof structure, for example by passing screws or like fasteners through openings in the mounting bracket, thereby securing the roof window to the roof structure.

In the embodiment shown, the mounting bracket 7 is attached to the top support frame member 32 at a top edge of the roof structure 2 and thereby indirectly connected to the roof structure, but it could also be attached directly to the roof structure.

The movement of the mounting bracket 7 is shown in more detail in Figs. 7-8, corresponding to the detail marked VII in Fig. 4.

The mounting bracket comprises a first member 71 extending along an outer side 1321 of the top window frame member 132 and a second member 72 connected to the first member via a hinge 73, serving as an adjustment member allowing the second member to be moved in relation to the first member between the active position and the passive position. In this embodiment, the first member 71 comprises an attachment section 711 extending along an interior side 1322 of the top window frame member 132 and the mounting bracket 7 is attached to the window frame by a fasteners 74 projecting through the attachment section. It could, however, also be attached by one or more similar fasteners projecting into the top window frame member at the outer side.

Fig. 7 shows the situation in Fig. 4, where the second member 72 has being forced aside, into the passive position by coming into contact with the top support frame member 32 during the swinging movement of the roof window 1 , and Fig. 8 shows the situation in Fig. 6, where the second member 72 has returned to the active position and come to rest on the exterior side of the top support frame member 32.

While an entire roof window 1 is shown in Figs. 3-8 it is to be understood that it is also possible to mount only the window frame 13 of the roof window in this way and to mount the sash 14 carrying the pane 11 afterwards. If mounting only the window frame, the window frame opening 10 will give easy access to the exterior, which may be advantageous when needing to connect the mounting brackets to the roof structure, as the work can then be done from the interior of the building. If mounting the entire roof window, the window can be opened to provide access to the exterior.

Figs. 9-13 show a different embodiment of the mounting bracket 7, where the most important difference is in the design of the first member. In comparison with the embodiment in Figs. 3-6, the first member 71 of the embodiment in Figs. 9-13 is somewhat longer, providing a larger contact area with the top window frame member 132. In comparison with the embodiment in Figs. 7-8, the first member 71 of the embodiment in Figs. 9-13 is somewhat shorter and without the section 711 extending along the interior side of the top window frame member 132, providing a simpler design with lower production cost.

The first member 71 of the mounting bracket 7 in Figs. 9-13 is provided with openings 712 for attachment to the window frame as described above and further comprises a bent section 713 accommodating one end of a hinge pin 731.

Likewise, the second section 72 is provided with openings 722 for attachment to the roof structure 2 or a support frame 30 as described above and further comprises a bent section 723 accommodating the other end of the hinge pin 731.

By the bent sections 713, 723 accommodating the hinge pin 731 a hinge 73 is formed allowing the second section to move in relation to the first section between the active position shown in Figs. 9-12 and the passive position as shown and described with reference to Figs. 3-8.

In the embodiment in Figs. 9-13 the mounting bracket 7 is provided with a spring 75, which has a first arm 751 attached to the first member 71 and a second arm 752 attached to the second member 72 and forces the mounting bracket towards the active position.

The spring is shown alone in Fig. 14, only without a part of the first arm 751. As may be seen there, the first arm and the second arm 752 are interconnected by a circular section 753. This circular section fits around the hinge pin 731 and is located between the bent sections 713, 723 in the mounted state, thereby keeping the spring in place.

When the second member 72 is forced towards the first member as described above, bringing the mounting bracket into the passive position, the two arms 751 , 752 are pressed towards each other, building tension in the spring, and when the second member is released, this tension will force the mounting bracket back into the active position.

In the embodiment shown, the second arm 752 has a projection 754 fitting into a hole 724 in the second member, thereby contributing to keeping the spring in place.

The shown embodiment of the spring 75 is structurally simple, making it both cheap and reliable, but it is to be understood that it could be embodied in many other ways.

In the embodiments shown, the second member 72 of the mounting bracket 7 is provided with an extension 725, projection from the hinge axis A over the top window frame member 13 in the mounted state of the mounting bracket as seen in Fig. 8. This extension allows force to be transmitted directly from the second member to the window frame, thus reducing the forces affecting the hinge pin 731 in the mounted of the roof window. The extension also serves as a stop member delimiting movement of the mounting bracket from passive position to active position and thus preventing the second member from moving further than intended.

The extension is here formed by the second member 72 being composed of two plates 726, 727, where the first plate 726 forms the interior side and the bent section 723 and comprises the hole 724, and where the second plate 727 forms the exterior side and the extension 725. Other embodiments may, however, work equally well. As may be seen in Fig. 8, the interior side of the second member 72 formed by the first plate 726 in Figs. 9-13 may be visual to the installer in the correctly mounted state of the roof window through the gap 21 between the top window frame member 132 and the top support frame member 32. In one embodiment, the interior side of the second member has a different colour from the rest of the mounting bracket to clearly indicate, that the mounting bracket is in fact in the active position. If this colour is not seen, the installer will know that the mounting bracket is still in the passive position, for example due to the roof window not having been push sufficient far through the roof opening.

Mounting brackets 7 of the type shown in Figs. 3-13 may be used also at the bottom window frame member 131 , and it is even possible to first connect the roof window to the roof structure at the top window frame member and then swing the bottom of the roof windows outwards as described with reference to Figs. 3-6.

In most embodiments, two mounting brackets 7 will be used at the top of each roof window, but depending on the design of the mounting bracket, one or more than two may be preferred. As an example, the first member 71 and the second member 72 may be made wider than shown in Figs. 9-13 so that one mounting bracket provide sufficient strength to carry the roof window.

List of reference numerals

1 Roof window

10 Opening

11 Pane

12 Covering and cladding member

13 Frame

131 Bottom window frame member

132 Top window frame member

1321 Outer side (of the top window frame member)

1322 Interior side (of the top window frame member)

14 Sash

2 Roof structure

20 Roof opening

21 Gap

3 Support structure

30 Support frame

31 Bottom support frame member

32 Top support frame member

7 Mounting bracket

71 First member

711 Attachment section

712 Opening

713 Bent section

72 Second member

722 Opening

723 Bent section

724 Hole

725 Extension

726 First plate

727 Second plate

73 Hinge

731 Hinge pin

74 Fastener

75 Spring

751 First arm

752 Second arm

753 Circular section

754 Projection

Claims

Claims

1 . A mounting bracket (7) for use when mounting a roof window (1 ) in a roof opening in a roof structure of a building, said roof window comprising a window frame (13) and a pane (11 ), said window frame comprising a bottom window frame member, a top window frame member, and two side window frame members together delimiting a window frame opening covered by the pane, each window frame member having a length axis extending in parallel with a side of the window frame opening, where the mounting bracket comprises a first member configured for being attached to the window frame, a second member configured for being attached to the roof structure, and an adjustment member allowing the second member to be moved in relation to the first member between a passive position and an active position, characterised in that the mounting bracket further comprises a spring forcing the second member towards the active position.

2. A mounting bracket according to claim 1 , where the adjustment member is a hinge.

3. A mounting bracket according to claim 1 or 2, where the spring is a wire spring having a first leg abutting on the first member and a second leg abutting on the second member.

4. A mounting bracket according to one or more of the preceding claims, where at least one of the first member and the second member are plate shaped.

5. A mounting bracket according to one or more of claims 2-4, where the first member and the second member are located in continuation of each other along the hinge axis.

6. A mounting bracket according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising a stop member delimiting movement of the mounting bracket from passive position to active position at least in a mounted state of the mounting bracket.

7. A roof window comprising at least one mounting bracket (1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 -6, where the first member is attached to the window frame and where the second member extends along a side of the window frame when in the passive position and projects from the window frame in a direction away from the window frame opening when in the active position.

8. A roof window according to claim 7, where first member is attached to an outer side of a window frame member, said outer side facing away from the window frame opening.

9. A roof window according to claim 7 or 8, where the second member is retained in the passive position by a restraint.

10. A method for mounting a roof window (1 ) in a roof opening in a roof structure of a building, where said roof window comprises a window frame (13), a pane (11 ), and a plurality of mounting brackets, said window frame comprising a bottom window frame member, a top window frame member, and two side window frame members together delimiting a window frame opening covered by the pane, each window frame member having a length axis extending in parallel with a side of the window frame opening, and at least some of said mounting brackets comprising a first member attached to the window frame, a second member configured for being attached to the roof structure, and an adjustment member allowing the second member to be moved in relation to the first member between a passive position and an active position, and where said method comprises the following sequence of steps:

A) supporting the bottom window frame member at a bottom edge of the roof structure delimiting the roof opening,

B) swinging at least the window frame about an axis extending in parallel to the length axis of the bottom window frame member, and C) connecting at least one mounting bracket located at the top window frame member to the roof structure at a top edge of the roof structure delimiting the roof opening, characterised in that during step B) - a part of the window frame comprising at least a part of the top window frame member is passed through the roof opening from an interior of the building,

- when the top window frame member passes into the roof opening, the second member of the mounting bracket located at the top window frame member is forced into the passive position, thereby deforming a spring of the mounting bracket, and

- when the top window frame member has passed through the roof opening, the spring forces the second member back into the active position.