Window, recreational vehicle with the window and methods for manufacturing and operating the window

Abstract

A window, for a recreational vehicle, comprises a frame, a pane, which is attached to the frame so that it can pivot relative to the frame about a pivot axis between a closed position and an opened position, an actuating device mounted on the frame or on the pane, and at least one locking element configured to be movable between a released state and a locked state. The frame has at least one cavity, receiving at least one actuating device and/or locking element at least partially, when the actuating device is in the second state and/or when the locking element is in the locked state, respectively.

Claims

1. A window for a recreational vehicle, comprising: a frame, a pane, which is attached to the frame so that said pane can pivot relative to the frame about a pivot axis between a closed position and an opened position, wherein the pane is larger than an opening defined by said frame such that from an outside view, pane covers said frame, at least one actuating device mounted on the pane and being movable between a first state and a second state, at least two locking elements configured to be movable between a released state and a locked state, one of said at least two locking elements disposed along a horizontal portion of said frame and a second of said at least two locking elements disposed along a vertical portion of said frame, wherein in the released state the at least two locking elements permit a pivotal movement of the pane between the closed position and the opened position, and wherein in the locked state the at least two locking elements prevent the pivotal movement of the pane between the closed position and the opened position, wherein the frame has at least one cavity corresponding to each of said at least one actuating device and said at least two locking elements, each said at least one cavity at least partially receiving each of the at least one actuating device and the locking element when the at least one actuating device is in the second state and the locking element is in the locked state so that each of said at least one actuating device and said at least two locking elements are hidden within each said at least one cavity, at least one extendable adjuster comprising two lateral ends, one of the two lateral ends of the at least one extendable adjuster coupled to the frame and the other of the two lateral ends of the at least one extendable adjuster coupled to the pane, such that the at least one extendable adjuster supports the pane with respect to the frame when the pane is in the opened position, wherein the frame has at least one further cavity, receiving the at least one extendable adjuster at least partially when the pane is in the closed position with respect to the frame; wherein the at least one cavity is configured to receive and hide the at least one actuating device, the locking element when the at least one actuating device is in the second state and the locking element is in the locked state, and said at least one further cavity is configured to receive and hide the at least one extendable adjusters when the pane is in the closed position, from in a frontal view of the window; wall support devices which are connected to the frame and engage a wall, said wall support devices having a first position to retain the frame relative to the wall and a second position to release the frame relative to the wall.

2. The window of claim 1, wherein the at least one cavity is configured to receive the at least two locking elements such that in the closed position of the pane, and also in the opened position of the pane, the at least two locking elements also are received in the at least one cavity at least partially such that the locking elements are substantially not visible in the frontal view of the window.

3. The window of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuating device is coupled via a coupling arrangement arranged within an elongated cavity in the frame to the at least two locking elements operatively in such a way that the operation of the at least one actuating device causes a corresponding movement of all of the at least two locking elements between the released state and the locked state.

4. The window of claim 1, further comprising at least one latching element provided on the pane, wherein the at least one latching element is configured such that in the closed position of the pane the at least one latching element can be brought into engagement with the at least two locking elements by a movement of the at least two locking elements, and to prevent the pivotal movement of the pane out of the closed position when being engaged with the at least two locking elements, and wherein the at least one latching element further is configured such that in the closed position of the pane the at least one latching element can be disengaged from the at least two locking elements by a reverse movement of the at least two locking elements and to permit the pivotal movement of the pane out of the closed position when being disengaged from the respective locking elements.

5. The window of claim 4, wherein the at least one latching element has one of a projection or a receiving region, and each of the at least two locking elements have a corresponding receiving region or projection, such that the at least one latching element and each of the at least two locking elements can be engaged with each other by engagement of the provided projections with the corresponding receiving regions.

6. The window of claim 4, wherein the at least one latching element is formed integrally with the pane or the at least one latching element is provided as separate components fixed to the pane.

7. The window of claim 1, wherein the at least two locking elements are arranged on the frame and are provided rotatably with respect to the frame such that the at least two locking elements are pivotable between a first orientation of the at least two locking elements relative to the frame, depicting the released state for the at least two locking elements, and a second orientation different from the first orientation relative to the frame, depicting the locked state for the at least two locking elements.

8. The window of claim 1, wherein the at least two locking elements are arranged on the frame and is provided movably relative to the frame along the frame, so that the locking element is movable between a first position relative to the frame, depicting the released state for the at least two locking elements, and a second position relative to the frame different from the first position, depicting the locked state for the locking element.

9. The window of claim 8, wherein the at least two locking elements are arranged on at least one carriage, the at least one carriage is attached to the frame movably along the frame.

10. The window of claim 3, wherein each of the at least two locking elements has its own carriage, wherein each said carriage is connected to at least one other carriage via the coupling arrangement in such a way that the coupled carriages can only be moved together along the frame.

11. The window of claim 3, wherein the coupling arrangement is formed as one integral coupling element or the coupling arrangement comprises a plurality of separate coupling elements coupled to each other.

12. The window of claim 3, wherein the coupling arrangement or at least one coupling element of the coupling arrangement is designed to be substantially stiff along its longitudinal axis with respect to compressive and tensile forces.

13. The window of claim 3, wherein the at least one actuating device has a handle portion and a coupling portion and is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation extending perpendicular to a plane of expansion of the pane, to the pane, such that the at least one actuating device is pivotable between a closed orientation and an opened orientation about the axis of rotation, and wherein the coupling portion of the at least one actuating device is coupled to the coupling arrangement such that a rotation of the at least one actuating device between the opened orientation and the closed orientation results in the at least two locking elements moving correspondingly between the released state and the locked state.

14. The window of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuating device is mounted on the pane has a locking portion which, when the pane is in the closed position, can be engaged with a counterpart arranged on the frame in such a way that the pivotal movement of the pane from the closed position into the opened position is prevented.

15. The window of claim 1, wherein the frame and the pane are substantially rectangular and the at least one actuating device or the at least two locking elements are arranged on a crossbar of the frame or on a side of the pane opposite the pivot axis.

16. The window of claim 1, wherein the frame and the pane are substantially rectangular and the at least one actuating device is arranged on a crossbar of the frame or on a side of the pane opposite a location of the pivot axis, and at least one of the at least two locking elements are arranged on each side cross bar of the frame or on each side of the pane extending transversely to the pivot axis.

17. The window of claim 1, wherein the frame is made of Aluminum and the pane is fixed to the frame via at least one hinge made of Aluminum.

18. The window of claim 1, wherein the frame has a receiving cutout that receives a sensor arrangement, wherein the sensor arrangement determines and outputs information about a current position of the pane relative to the frame.

19. A method for manufacturing a window, comprising the steps of: providing said window comprising a frame, a pane attached to the frame pivotally to move about a pivot axis between a closed position and an opened position with respect to the frame, an actuating device mounted on the pane, and at least two locking elements, positioning the frame in a wall and moving wall support devices to a position to support the frame in the wall; coupling the at least two locking elements to the frame such that said pane is movable between a released state, in which the at least two locking elements permit a pivotal movement of the pane between the closed position and the opened position, and a locked state, in which the at least two locking elements prevent the pivotal movement of the pane between the closed position and the opened position, providing at least one cavity, at least partially receiving each of at least one actuating device and the at least two locking elements when the actuating device is in a second state and the at least two locking elements are in the locked state, in the frame, wherein each of said actuating device and said at least two locking elements are received by and hidden within the corresponding cavities when in said second state and said locked state, providing at least one extendable adjuster comprising two lateral ends; coupling of the two lateral ends of the at least one extendable adjuster to the frame and the other of said two lateral ends of the at least one extendable adjuster to the pane, such that the at least one extendable adjuster supports the pane with respect to the frame when the pane is in the opened position, and providing at least one further cavity, receiving in the frame the at least one extendable adjuster at least partially when the pane is in the closed position with respect to the frame.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of: arranging a coupling arrangement within an elongated cavity provided in the frame in such a way that the coupling arrangement is substantially invisible when the window is in an assembled or mounted state, and coupling the coupling arrangement to the at least two locking elements and the actuating device such that the operation of the actuating device causes a corresponding movement all of the at least two locking elements between the released state and the locked state.

21. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step: simultaneously releasing or locking the at least two locking elements by operating by manual actuation, the actuating device coupled to the at least two locking elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a spatial view of an example of a window according to the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 is a spatial view of a window according to an exemplary embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 is a spatial view of a window according to a preferred exemplary embodiment;

(5) FIG. 4 is a sectional spatial view of the window of FIG. 3 in which the inner frame is detached, thus illustrating several different orientations of the actuating device; and

(6) FIG. 5 is a further spatial view of the window of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 in which further components of the window are detached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) The embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, identical reference numerals designate corresponding or identical elements throughout the various drawings.

(8) In FIG. 2, an embodiment of a window 1 according to the present invention is illustrated. The window 1 is supported via corresponding devices 80 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) within an opening in a wall W. Similar like the window 1 shown in FIG. 1 and according to the state of the art, the window 1 according to the present invention comprises a frame 10 to which a pane 20 is coupled in a pivotable manner to be pivotable about a pivot axis between a closed position and an opened position. In the illustrated embodiment, the pane 20 is pivotable here about a pivot axis along the upper crossbar of the frame 10 between the closed position and the opened position. To be able to lock the pane 20 with respect to the frame 10 in the closed position, the window 1 comprises several locking elements 40. In the illustrated embodiment the window 1 comprises a number of five locking elements 40. Although in the illustrated embodiment, five locking elements 40 are provided, also less, like for example only two, or even more, like for example ten, locking elements 40 could be provided. Here, for each provided locking element 40, a separate actuating device 30 mounted on the pane 20 is provided. The actuating devices 30 also could be mounted on the frame 10. The actuating devices 30 each are coupled to its corresponding locking element 40 operatively in such a way that an operation of the actuating devices 30 results in a movement of the provided locking elements 40 between a released state and a locked state. In other words, when the actuating devices 30 are in a first state, the respective locking elements 40 are in the released state and when the actuating devices 30 are in the second state, the respective locking elements 40 are in the locked state. The frame 10 is further provided with at least one cavity 10A, here one cavity 10A for each pair of actuating devices 30 and locking element 40 configured such that when the actuating devices 30 is in the second state and/or when the locking elements 40 are in the locked state, respectively, these components are received in the corresponding cavities 10A. In particular, the are received in the cavities 10A in such a way that they are hidden within the frame 10 to be not visible in the frontal view of the window.

(9) Similar to the window 1 shown in FIG. 1, the window according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2 has two extendable adjusters 15 provided in the known manner to the remaining components of the window (see above description). The frame 10 has two further cavities 10B, wherein these further cavities 10B are configured to receive the extendable adjusters 15 (one further cavity for each extendable adjuster) to hide them in the frame 10 when the pane 20 is in the closed position with respect to the frame.

(10) In the further drawings (FIG. 3 to FIG. 5), an exemplary embodiment of a window is illustrated. The configuration of this window is quite similar to the one described with reference to FIG. 2.

(11) However, the window 1 according to the instant embodiment, comprises here in particular one single actuating device 30 mounted on the pane 20. The actuating device 30 also could be mounted on the frame 10. The actuating device 30 is coupled via a corresponding coupling arrangement (not shown) to the locking elements 40 operatively in such a way that an operation of the actuating device 30 results in a movement of the provided locking elements 40 between a released state and a locked state. The coupling arrangement is provided in such a manner that it (in principle) cannot be seen in the assemble/mounted state of the window 1 (see FIG. 3). For this, the corresponding coupling elements of the coupling arrangement are provided within appropriate elongated cavities 10C (or one cavity) within the frame 10. In the locked state, the locking elements 40 prevent a pivotal movement of the pane 20 with respect to the frame between the closed position and the opened position, while in the released state. Here, the locking elements 40 are fully received (i.e. hidden) within correspondingly provided cavities 10A for every operation state of the window.

(12) In the following, the specific and detailed structure and function of the window 1 as well as of its components and in particular the specific and detailed structure and the functional interaction between the actuating device 30, the locking elements 40 and the coupling arrangement are described in more detail with respect to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

(13) As can be seen in FIG. 4, the actuating device 30 is coupled to the pane 20 in a rotatable manner. The actuating device 30 in the present embodiment has a handle portion 32 and here in particular two coupling portions 34. The window 1 comprises a first locking element 42, a second locking element 44 and a third locking element 46, the locking elements 42, 44, 46 being attached to the frame 10 via corresponding carriages 42a, 44a, 46a. The carriages 42a, 44a, 46a and thus the corresponding locking elements 42, 44, 46 are configured to be movable along the frame 10 between a released state and a locked state (see for example the arrow for the first locking element). In the scope of the present embodiments the phrase along the frame is to be understood in that the locking elements 42, 44, 46 can move along the longitudinal axis of the corresponding crossbar of the frame 10, on which the respective locking element 40 is provided.

(14) On the pane 20, several latching elements 64 and 66 with protrusions are provided. Here, the protrusions are formed in a hook like manner (see FIG. 5). Each of the locking elements 42, 44, 46 has at least one receiving region 44b, 46b configured to be engaged and disengaged with the corresponding latching elements 64 and 66 by movement of the locking elements 44 and 46 between their released state and the locked state. In FIG. 5, on the right side, the third locking element 46 is illustrated in the locked state. Here the corresponding latching element 66 is fully engaged with the receiving region 46b of the locking element 46. Thus, the pane 20 cannot be pivoted from the closed position to the opened position with respect to the frame 10. In FIG. 5, on the left side, the second locking element 44 is illustrated in an intermediate state, in which the corresponding latching element 64 is only partially engaged with the receiving region 44b. If the second locking element 44 is shifted further to the right of FIG. 5 (see the corresponding arrow), the latching element 64 will disengage from the locking element 44 (that means from the receiving region 44b) and thus would permit a pivotal movement of the pane 20 with respect to the frame 10. The same holds for the third locking element 46. But here the locking element 46 will move along the frame 10 in an upwards direction in FIG. 5 (see the corresponding arrow).

(15) The second locking element 44 and the third locking element 46 are coupled via a first coupling element 70 forming a part of the coupling arrangement to each other such. Hence, the second locking element 44 and the third locking element 46 always move together between the released state and the locked state. Here, the first coupling element 70 is provided as belt member being guided along the corner of the frame 10 by a corresponding rail. The first coupling element 70 is stiff along its longitudinal axis (that means along the frame 10) but elastically deformable perpendicular thereto such that it can be led around the corner of the frame 10 by the rail. The second locking element 44 is coupled via a second coupling element 72 to the first locking element 72. In particular, the respective locking elements 42, 44, 46 are coupled to each over via their carriages 42a, 44a, 46a being coupled to the respective coupling elements 70 and 72. The locking elements 42, 44, 46 are coupled to the further locking elements (not illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4) via a third coupling element 74 and further coupling elements (not shown) in a similar manner as illustrated in FIG. 5. Here, the various coupling elements 70, 72 and 74 are provided as belt elements depicting sections of one common coupling belt forming the coupling arrangement. Thus, via the coupling arrangement, the movement of all of the carriages and thus of all of the locking elements 40 is coupled to each other such that the locking elements 40 only can be moved between the released state and the locked state together.

(16) To operate the locking elements 40, the actuating device 30 is coupled with its coupling portions 34 to the first locking element 42 (in particular with therein provided openings) in such a way that a pivotal movement of the actuating device 30 results in a transverse movement of the first locking element 42. Thus, due to the coupling arrangement (that means due to the coupling elements 70, 72, 74 etc.) the pivotal movement of the actuating device 30 results in a movement of all of the provided locking elements 40 along the frame 10 between the released state and the locked state.

(17) According to some embodiments, it is possible to move all the locking elements 40 by the operation of the one single actuating device 30 between the released and the locked state. Thus, it is possible to release or lock the pane 20 from the frame 10 (that means its pivotal movement) via one single operation.

(18) This results a facilitated and comfortable functionality for the window 1 as compared to known configurations in which for each locking element 40 a specific single actuating device 30 had to be operated (see FIG. 1).

(19) According to some embodiments, the provided latching elements 44b, 46b, which of course also can be replaced by otherwise designed functional elements implementing the same or similar function, are provided as separate components fixed to the pane 20 via corresponding screws. However, also configurations in which the latching elements 44b, 46b are provided integrally with the pane 20 are possible within the scope of the present invention.

(20) Although, in some embodiments, the locking elements 40 are configured to be movable along the frame 10 in a transversal manner (that means along the respective crossbar of the frame 10), they also can be coupled to the frame 10 in such a way that they can be rotated between the released sate and the locked state. Of course, in this case also the specific implementation of the coupling arrangement would have to be adapted. But this lies within the abilities of a skilled artisan and thus is not to be described in more detail here.

(21) Instead of providing each locking element 40 on its own carriage 44b, 46b, also several locking elements 40 can be placed on one common carriage. Thus, this common carriage will not only allow the corresponding movement of the locking elements 40 but will also act as coupling element between the corresponding locking elements 40. In principle, such a configuration is possible for locking elements 40 provided on the same cross bar of the frame 10 (or with a elastically deformable carriage).

(22) In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating device 30 is coupled directly to the first locking element 42. Thus, its rotational movement is transferred into a transverse movement of the first locking element 42. This configuration is quite space saving. However, the actuating device 30 also can be coupled to each of the provided locking elements 40 (or just any one of the other locking elements 40) indirectly via one or more coupling elements of the coupling arrangement.

(23) Moreover, the coupling arrangement can be provided as substantially one integrally formed element, like in the form of the coupling belt with its belt elements. Or, the coupling arrangement can be provided as several coupling elements, the coupling elements being formed identically with each other or differently from each other). Also, the specific implementation of the various coupling elements can be adapted along with corresponding adaptions of the window 1. Such adaptions are within the abilities of a skilled artisan and thus not have to be discussed here in detail.

(24) Although not illustrated here explicitly, the actuating device 30 can be provided with a locking portion configured to be engaged with a corresponding counter part on the frame 10. Thus, the pivotal movement of the pane 20 with respect to the frame 10 is prevented also by the actuating device 30 itself (in addition to the locking elements).

(25) The window 1, and thus its pane 20 and/or its frame 10 can have a rectangular shape, and in particular a square shape, as illustrated. But also various other shapes lay within the scope of the present invention. When a rectangular shape is implemented, the actuating device 30 as well as the locking elements 40 preferably are well distributed about the various crossbars of the frame 10 or the various sides of the pane 20, about which the pane 20 cannot be rotated with respect to the frame 10 (see also FIG. 3). Such implementations result in a highly reliable locking for the pane 20 against a pivotal movement thereof with respect to the frame 10.

(26) Here, the frame 10 as well as a hinge, via which the pane 20 is coupled to the frame 10, are made of Aluminum. In general, Aluminum is a lightweight but highly resistive material. However, also other materials can be suitable.

(27) Of course, the window 1 can be provided with further functional elements. For example, a sensor arrangement can be provided in a corresponding receiving cutout. Such a sensor arrangement for example could be configured to determine and forward information about a current position of the pane 20 with respect to the frame 10 (that means whether the window 1 is opened or closed). In addition or alternatively, an actuator can be provided, wherein the actuator is configured to move the locking elements 40 between their released and locked state or to open as well as to close the window 1 via remote control.

(28) The concrete implementation of the devices 80 supporting the frame 10 to the wall W is not described here in detail. But the devices 80 are configured to be moved between one position in which the frame 10 is supported to the wall W and another position in which the frame 10 is released from the wall W via one operation, resulting in a configuration being configured to be supported and/or released from the wall W in an easy and comfortable manner.

(29) Within this disclosure always when there is given a reference to at least one/at least two components having a specific feature/implementation, not necessarily all of the corresponding components have to be provided with this specific feature/implementation. Also, only several (or even only one) of the corresponding components can be provide with the corresponding feature/implementation as long as this does not contradict the therewith achieved effect of overall configuration according to the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

(30) 1 window 10 frame 10A cavity 10B further cavity 10C elongated cavity 15 extendable adjuster 20 pane 30 actuating device 32 handle portion 34 coupling portion 40 locking elements 42 first locking element 42a first carriage 44 second locking element 44a second carriage 44b second receiving region 46 third locking element 46a third carriage 46b third receiving region 64 second latching element 66 third latching element 70 first coupling element 72 second coupling element 74 third coupling element 76 fourth coupling element 80 device for supporting the window to the wall W wall