AU2007203218A1

AU2007203218A1 - A framing system

Info

Publication number: AU2007203218A1
Application number: AU2007203218A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ronald Paul Jones
Original assignee: ALL METAL CURVING SPECIALISTS
Current assignee: ALL METAL CURVING SPECIALISTS
Priority date: 2007-07-09
Filing date: 2007-07-09
Publication date: 2009-01-29

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: A framing system The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 005280247 2 A framing system Field of the invention 00 The present invention relates to the field of framing systems for panels. More 00 particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to mounting systems for panels having a curved profile along one axis. The invention may have particular application to the field of such framing S systems for panels in the form of glass panes.

Background of the invention Panels, such as panes of glass are typically mounted to buildings using a framing system that is constructed on site. The framing system may include a pair of horizontally extending beams or sills and a pair of vertically extending mullions so as to define a rectangular area which is occupied by the window pane.

The sills and mullions may each include a channel to receive one of the edges of the pane of glass and a rubber seal is provided about the pane, between the frame and the pane. One or both of the sills may include a channel component and a bead, the bead initially being separate from the channel component and allowing the pane to be readily located on the sill, following which the bead is secured to the channel component to hold the pane in place on the sill.

Framing system for planar panels are well known and widely used. More recently, there has been increased demand for effective framing systems for panels curved along one axis. For example, a building may require a curved wall formed from multiple curved panels of glass. The wall may extend partially between the floor and ceiling of a single storey, or may extend two or more storeys high. Larger walls typically use heavy gauge panes of glass, which may create problems in providing a framing system that adequately supports the panes. There remains a need for framing systems that accommodate curved panels, including curved panels of glass.

Summary of the invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided components for a composite framing system either formed or formable into a curved profile so as to be suitable for 005280247 3 rNl use in framing a panel that has a length, width and height, wherein the width is the smallest Z dimension, and that is curved along at least a portion of the length of the panel, the components including: a first sill component and a second sill component, each having an elongate shape with its length extending along a first axis and including a channel extending inwards transversely to the first axis from respective first and second sides so that when the first and second sill components are located side by side with their respective first and second sides facing each other, the channels oppose each other, and wherein said first and second sides extend transversely to both the first axis and the channels to each define a stop; and an elongate base extending along a first axis, dimensioned to be received by the opposing channels and extend between the first and second sill components when so received, so that the base and stops of the first and second sill components define an open channel for receiving the panel; wherein the first and second sill components and the base are each curved or are able to be curved along their respective first axes.

In one embodiment, the first and second sill components in section across the first axis each include upper and lower rectangular portions separated by their respective channels.

In one embodiment, the channels of the first and second sill components each terminate at a mass that extends to the opposite side of the sill component, the mass extending across at least approximately one quarter of the width of the sill component. The mass may extend across at least approximately one third of the width of the sill component.

In one embodiment, at least one of the sill members includes a channel portion, which includes the channel and a separate bead, which includes the stop and which is adapted to be engaged with the channel portion to define the sill member.

In one embodiment, the sill components are formed from an extruded metal or metal alloy. The base may also be formed from an extruded metal or metal alloy.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided components for a composite framing system either formed or formable into a curved profile so as to be suitable for 005280247 4

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S use in framing a panel that has a length, width and height, wherein the width is the smallest Z dimension, and that is curved along at least a portion of the length of the panel, the components 1 including:

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a first sill component having an elongate shape with its length extending along a first axis o0 5 and including a channel extending inwards transversely to the first axis from a side of the first sill component, the side extending transverse to both the first axis and the channel to define a stop; and a second sill component having an elongate shape with its length extending along a first 0 S axis and including a base portion extending outwardly from a side of the second sill component 0 that extends transverse to both the first axis and the direction of extension of the base portion to define a stop, the base portion located, oriented and dimensioned to be received by the channel of the first sill component when the first and second sill components are located side by side and extend between the first and second sill components when so received, so that the base portion and stops of the first and second sill components define an open channel for receiving the panel; wherein the first and second sill components are each curved or are able to be curved along their respective first axes.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided components to form a frame for a panel curved along one axis, the components including two sets of the components defined in the preceding paragraphs when curved along their respective first axes, and two mullions adapted to be secured to the composite framing systems so as to vertically separate the framing systems.

In one embodiment, the mullions are each formed from the same components as the sill members, the components of the mullions being straight along their respective first axes.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frame for a panel curved along one axis, the frame formed from the components of either of the preceding paragraphs secured together.

The invention also extends to the frame of the fourth aspect of the invention when supporting a panel in the form of a window that has a length, width and height, wherein the width is the smallest dimension, and that is curved along at least a portion of the length of the 005280247 panel, wherein the window is located along its length within the two receptacles formed by the two sets of the components defined in any one of claims 1 to 8 so that the width of the window is accommodated between the stops of the first and second sill components.

In one embodiment a rubber seal is located between the stops and the window.

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M 5 In one embodiment, the stops each include a rib located and dimensioned to retain a 0, rubber seal between the window and their respective sill component.

N, According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a framing system for a panel having a curved profile along one axis, the method including extruding the components described in the preceding paragraphs and bending the extruded components to match the curved profile of the panel.

Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1: shows a perspective view of part of a framing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2: shows a perspective view of the three of the components shown in Figure 1, rotated by 180 degrees.

Figure 3: shows the components of Figure 2 in a disassembled state together with an additional base.

Figure 4: shows a perspective view of part of a framing system similar to the framing system shown in Figures 1 and 2, curved in the opposite direction and showing one of two beads that form a sill of the framing system.

Figure 5: shows a sill component being bent to a required radius of curvature.

005280247 6 I Figure 6: shows diagrammatically a cross-section through a sill component according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description oO Figure 1 shows a perspective view of part of a framing system in accordance with one ,5 embodiment of the present invention. The part of the framing system shown in Figure 1 is a sill ¢€3 100 for a pane of glass or other panel having a curved profile along its length. Throughout the following description it is assumed that the framing system is used to frame a pane of glass, but S it will be appreciated that the present invention may also have application as a frame for other panels.

The sill 100 includes two opposed sill components 1, 2 and a base 3 extending between the sill components 1, 2. The sill components 1,2 and the base 3 are curved along their length so as to accommodate the curved pane of glass (not shown) in a channel 4A. Another similarly curved pane of glass may be accommodated within the channel 4B if required. Accordingly, the sill 100 may be used below or above a pane of glass, or may be used between two vertically disposed panes of glass.

The sill component 1 includes a channel 5 that is open to a side 1A of the sill component 1. Similarly, the sill component 2 includes a channel 6 that is open to a side 2A of the sill component 2. The sides I A, 2A of the sill components 1, 2 form stops for the pane of glass and may include ribs 7 extending along their length.

As shown in Figure 1, the sill components 1, 2 are locatable so that their respective channels 5, 6 align and when the base 3 is inserted into the channels 5, 6, the base 3 extends between the sill components 1, 2, which are spaced apart so as to form the channels 4A, 4B. The channels 4A, 4B are formed by a combination of the sides 1 A, 2A and the base 3. When a pane of glass is inserted into either of the channels 4A, 4B, a seal, suitably a rubber seal (not shown) is then pressed between the sides 1A, 2A and the pane of glass. The ribs 7 assist to retain the rubber seal in place.

As shown in Figure 1, the base 3 and the channels 5, 6 of the sill components 1, 2 may be dimensioned so that when the base 3 is fully inserted into the channels 5, 6, the sill components 005280247 7 1, 2 are spaced apart by a required amount so as to frame a pane of glass having a certain width.

If a wider pane of glass needed to be framed, then the sill components could be moved further apart and as is apparent from Figure 1, there would still be sufficient support fro the base 3.

00 The sill components 1, 2 may each be generally in rectangular in cross-section, defining 00 two voids. This reduces the amount of material required to produce the sill components 1, 2.

Each sill component 1, 2 has a solid mass 8, 9 respectively at the terminating end of their channels 5, 6. The mass 8, 9 may assist to provide structural rigidity to the sill components 1, 2 and may also facilitate effective curving of the sill components 1, 2. However, in alternative embodiments, the sill components 1, 2 may instead have a hollow area extending along the sill 0 components 1,2 in the region of the masses 8, 9.

As explained in more detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the sill components 1, 2 each have respective channel portions 10, 20 and separate beads 30, Figure 2 shows the channel portions 10, 20 and the base 3 of the sill 100 shown in Figure 1. The sill 100 has been rotated 180 degrees and the beads 30, 40 have been removed from the sill components 1, 2. Referring to the channel portion 10, the upper surface (referring to the orientation shown in Figure 2) includes two projections 11, 12 that extend along the channel portion 10 and are shaped to interlock with two complementary projections on the bead 30 (see Figure The channel portion 10 also includes two rails 15, 16, which may act as guides and supports for the bead The channel portion 20 also includes projections 13, 14 facing the opposite direction to the projections I 1, 12 and includes rails 17, 18 like the rails 15, 16 of the channel portion 10. The channel portion 20 may, as shown in the accompanying drawings, be a mirror image of the channel portion 10. The beads 20, 30 may also be mirror images of each other.

Figure 3 shows the channel portion 10, channel portion 20 and two bases 3 in disassembled form.

Figure 4 shows the channel portions 10, 20, base 3 and bead 40 viewed from the opposite end to that shown in Figures 1 and 2. The bead 40 is located over the channel portion 10. The bead 30 includes two complementary projections 41, 42 to the projections 1 1, 12 of the channel 005280247 8 ri portion 10, to allow the bead 40 and channel portion 10 to interlock by moving the bead 30 in the direction of arrow A. The channel 4B (see Figure 1) is formed by engaging the two beads 30, with the channel portions 10, In an alternative embodiment, the base 3 may be formed integrally with one or other of 00 the sill components 1,2.

Figure 5 shows the channel portion 20 being curved by three rollers 50, 51 and 52. The roller 50 includes a disc 50A that extends across the top of the channel portion 20, a disc S that extends into the channel 6 and a disc 50C that extends below the channel portion 20. The discs 50A-C therefore act to prevent the channel portion 20 from bending or curving vertically (referring to the orientation shown in Figure The roller 50 additionally includes two bearing surfaces 50D, 50E. Both the rollers 51 and 52 include flat bearing surfaces 51A and 52A respectively.

The channel portion 20 is first extruded to form a straight elongate member. This is then fed between the rollers 50 and 51. The rollers 50-52 are located relative to each other so the combination of the bearing surfaces 50D, 50E, with bearing surfaces 51A and 52A forces the channel portion 20 to bend in order to pass through the rollers 50-52. The channel portion base 3 and beads 30, 40 may be curved in the same way.

To assemble a frame for pane of glass curved along its length, two sills 100 of the same radius of curvature are provided, one to be located at the top of the pane and one located at the bottom. These are fixed in the appropriate location, so that the base members 3 of the two sills are vertically separated by approximately the height of the pane, plus some clearance to allow easy installation. The pane is then inserted into the space occupied by the channels 4A, 4B and the channels 4A, 4B are formed by engaging the beads 30, 40 with the channel portions 10, A rubber seal is then provided about the pane, between the pane and the stops formed by the channels 4A, 4B.

If required, the sills 100 can be installed on a sub-sill and/or under a trim or sub-head.

These may be curved with the same curvature as the sills 100.

005280247 9

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cN, It is anticipated that in most implementations of the present invention, to facilitate installation, at least one of the two sills 100 will include at least one bead 30, 40. If a bead 30, is not provided, then installation may be achieved by locating the two sills 100 to the top and bottom of the pane and then simultaneously installing both the sills 100 and the pane into the 0 5 required location.

Mullions (not shown) are provided to extend vertically between the two sills 100. The mullions may optionally have the same structure as the sills 100, but would normally be straight.

The mullions and sills 100 may be engaged with each other in any appropriate manner.

Figure 6 shows diagrammatically a cross-section through an alternative sill component 0 60, which is a single component. The sill component 60, like the sill component 1 includes a channel 65, side walls 61 forming stops, which include ribs 62 and a mass 63 at the terminating end of the channel 65. Instead, the mass 63 may be hollowed out, as indicated by the dashed rectangle in Figure 6. The sill component 60 may be used with a mirror image of itself, if installation can be achieved without the use of a bead. Alternatively, the sill component 60 may be used with a sill component having a bead, such as the sill components 1, 2 described herein.

The components of the sill 100 may each be formed from an extruded metal or metal alloy. Various suitable materials will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers having known equivalents, then those equivalents are hereby incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that modifications and additions to the embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. Components for a composite framing system either formed or formable into a curved profile so as to be suitable for use in framing a panel that has a length, width and height, wherein the width is the smallest dimension, and that is curved along at least a portion of the length of the panel, the components including: a first sill component and a second sill component, each having an elongate shape with its length extending along a first axis and including a channel extending inwards transverse to the first axis from respective first and second sides so that when the first and second sill components are located side by side with their respective first and second sides facing each other, the 0 channels oppose each other, and wherein said first and second sides extend transverse to both the first axis and the channels, to each define a stop; and an elongate base extending along a first axis, dimensioned to be received by the opposing channels and extend between the first and second sill components when so received, so that the base member and stops of the first and second sill components define an open channel for receiving the panel; wherein the first and second sill components and the base are each curved or are able to be curved along their respective first axes.

2. The composite framing system of claim 1, wherein the first and second sill components in section across the first axis each include upper and lower rectangular portions separated by their respective channels.

3. The composite framing system of claim 1 of claim 2, wherein the channels of the first and second sill components each terminate at a mass that extends to the opposite side of the sill component, the mass extending across at least approximately one quarter of the width of the sill component.

4. The composite framing system of claim 3, wherein the mass extends across at least approximately one third of the width of the sill component.

The composite framing system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the sill members includes a channel portion, which includes the channel and a separate bead, 005280247 11 O N which includes the stop and which is adapted to be engaged with the channel portion to define the sill member.

6. The composite framing system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sill 00 components are formed from an extruded metal or metal alloy. M 5

7. The composite framing system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base is N formed from an extruded metal or metal alloy. N

8. Components for a composite framing system either formed or formable into a curved profile so as to be suitable for use in framing a panel that has a length, width and height, wherein the width is the smallest dimension, and that is curved along at least a portion of the length of the panel, the components including: a first sill component having an elongate shape with its length extending along a first axis and including a channel extending inwards transverse to the first axis from a side of the first sill component, the side extending transverse to both the first axis and the channel to define a stop; and a second sill component having an elongate shape with its length extending along a first axis and including a base portion extending outwardly from a side of the second sill component that extends transverse to both the first axis and the direction of extension of the base portion to define a stop, the base portion located, oriented and dimensioned to be received by the channel of the first sill component when the first and second sill components are located side by side and extend between the first and second sill components when so received, so that the base portion and stops of the first and second sill components define an open channel for receiving the panel; wherein the first and second sill components are each curved or are able to be curved along their respective first axes.

9. Components to form a frame for a panel curved along one axis, the components including two sets of the components defined in any one of claims 1 to 8 when curved along their respective first axes, and two mullions adapted to be secured to the composite framing systems so as to vertically separate the framing systems. 005280247 12 N,

10. The components to form a frame of claim 9, wherein the mullions are each formed from components defined in any one of claims 1 to 6, the components of the mullions being straight along their respective first axes.

11. A frame for a panel curved along one axis, the frame formed from the components 00 of either claim 9 or claim 10 secured together. N

12. The frame of claim 11 when supporting a panel in the form of a window that has a length, width and height, wherein the width is the smallest dimension, and that is curved along at N, least a portion of the length of the panel, wherein the window is located along its length within the two receptacles formed by the two sets of the components defined in any one of claims 1 to 8 0 so that the width of the window is accommodated between the stops of the first and second sill components.

13. The frame of claim 12, wherein a rubber seal is located between the stops and the window.

14. The frame of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the stops each include a rib located and dimensioned to retain a rubber seal between the window and their respective sill component.

A method of manufacturing a framing system for a panel having a curved profile along one axis, the method including extruding the components defined in any one of claims 1 to and bending the extruded components to match the curved profile of the panel.

16. Components for a composite framing system formable into a curved profile so as to be suitable for use in framing a panel that has a length, width and height, wherein the width is the smallest dimension, and that is curved along at least a portion of the length of the panel, wherein the components are shaped in cross-section substantially according to any one of the embodiments described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. Components for a composite framing system formed into a curved profile so as to be suitable for use in framing a panel that has a length, width and height, wherein the width is the smallest dimension, and that is curved along at least a portion of the length of the panel, and I 005280247 13 rC wherein the components are shaped substantially according to any one of the embodiments described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A method of manufacturing a framing system as claimed in claim 10 and substantially as herein described. 00 C 5

19. A method of manufacturing a framing system substantially according to any one C' of the embodiments herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.