AU2011204905A1 - Glass mounting assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

5 An assembly for mounting a glass pane, the assembly comprising: a first clamping plate and an opposing second clamping plate, the first clamping plate having an outer face and an inner face, the inner face including a Formation which is arranged to receive and retain at least a First sealing member, the outer face including a recess which receives a mating profile on a cover plate: the irst 10 clamping plate further comprising an opening which receives a fastener which retains the first clamping plate against a first surface of the window panel; the second clamp plate comprising an outer face and an inner face and extending from inner face is a. first formation and second Formation, the first Formation including a flange which receives and retains a sealing means; wherein the second clamping 1-5 plate receives the fastener so that the fastener retains the first and second plates and passes through the glass panel located between the clamping plates. IIo -----. 3 15 a

Description

GLASS MOUNTING ASSEMBLY 5 BACKGROUND This invention relates generally to glass fittings and mounting assemblies and more particularly relates to improvements in glass support assemblies and fittings for glass pane balustrades. The invention further relates to a clamping assembly for 10 anchoring glass panes used in decorative and barrier applications. The invention is particularly applicable with glass barriers on such non limiting applications as balconies and stairways. The invention further relates to a method of Clamping glass using a clamping assembly which secures an edge of a glass pane as a moment connection for a cantilevered glass pane barrier such as is required on 15 stairways, balconies and the like. The invention also relates to a more accurate method of aligning and securing glass panes as cantilevered barriers. The invention is applicable in and to domestic, industrial and other applications particularly in those applications which use glass as a substitute for barrier railings. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to its application to a 20 cantilevered glass railing and balustrading, but it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that application and may be adapted to alternative constructions and materials. PRIOR ART 25 The prior art is replete with a number of different assemblies for anchoring glass panels. Glass panels may be anchored in window frames and sash assemblies, each adapted for use in particular applications. The prior art also teaches a number of different assemblies for anchoring glass 30 panels used as cantilever glass balustrades. Many types of window frames have been used in the past to secure glass panes. There are typically many structure variations in the construction industry used For anchoring glass panes. Anchorages used for this purpose must be manufactured to fit particular fastening, sealing, space and design requirements. Common structures 35 to which glass panels may be attached can be made from brick, cavity brick, metal

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or timber stud, stress skin panels and those that include an exposed surface of corrugated iron. When glass panels are used for windows which must be architecturally optimal and have optimal sealing characteristics, the nature of the anchorage is most important. The anchorage may be dictated by the type of 5 structure, the sealing and finishing regime required. It may be seen from the above that there are a number of known glass window pane edge anchorage assemblies which builders may select from, dictated usually by the type of frame structure to which the glass panel is fitted. Other systems have been proposed for anchoring glass panes in balustrade 10 applications such as use of simple saddles, bolting through, angle brackets and opposite gender male and female inter fitting. Unlike windows glass, panes used in balustrades are often cantilevered and must be strong enough to withstand lateral loads applied to the free end of the glass pane balustrades. Toughened glasses are used in such applications but in addition to toughened glass the anchorages must be 15 strong and where required weather sealed. In construction of glass balusti-ades the objective is to effectively anchor the glass panes and in some applications to ensure proper weather sealing. Sealing is not necessarily required in internal applications where for instance, glass balustrades are used on internal balconies, mezzanines and stairs. In external applications such as in full length windows, rubber seals are used. 20 This may take the form of silicon sealant or rubber beading placed between the glass surface and part of the structure to which the glass is attached. Cantilevered balcony balustrades can be dangerous in a case where the anchorage and/ or in deed any part of thc assembly include formations which might provide a foot hold for climbing. 25 There is a need to constantly improve anchorages For glass balustrades to optimise anchorage strength, to effect suitable waterproof scaling and to provide a functional bul aesthetically pleasing finish. There is also a need to improve safety of such balustrades to remove any formations which can provide a toe or hand hold for children but which do not compromise aesthetics and structural integrity. There is 30 also a need to provide an assembly and method which allows for more accurate setting, alignment and levelling of glass panels in such applications as stair and balcony balustrades. INVENTION 2 The present invention provides a glass fitting mounting assembly and more particularly provides improvements in glass support assemblies and Fittings for glass panes particularly though no exclusively for glass balustrades. The invention further provides a clamping assembly for glass panes used in balustrade 5 applications. The invention further provides a method of clamping glass using a clamping assembly which secu-es an edge of a glass pane as a fixed sealed connection integral with the clamping arrangement. The present invention also provides a method of sealing of such glass pane barriers supported by a clamping assembly which provides an anchorage for the glass pane, optimal sealing and an 10 aesthetically pleasing finish. The present invention further provides a method of anchoring and sealing a glass pane which is simple to assemble, allows for more accurate setting and in which the external Finishing cover contributes to the mutual connections between components either side of the glass pane to be clamped. 15 In one broad form the present invention comprises: an assembly For clamping a glass pane, the assembly comprising: a first clamping plate and an opposing second clamping plate, the First clamping plate having an outer face and an inner face, the inner Face including a Formation which is arranged to receive and retain at least a first sealing member, the outer race 20 including a recess which receives a mating profile on a cover plate; the First clamping plate further comprising an opening which receives a fastener which retains the First clamping plate against a first surface of the window panel; the second clamp plate comprising an outer face and an inner face and extending from inner face is a first formation and second formation, the first formation including a 25 flange which receives and retains a sealing means; wherein the second clamping plate receives the Fastener so that the Fastener retains the first and second plates and passes through the glass panel located between the clamping plates. Preferably the second formation of the second plate includes a web which extends from an inner face and which terminates in a support platform. The support 30 platform according to one embodiment includes a recess which receives and retains thereon a setting block. The platform also includes a recess which receives and supports a bottom edge of the first clamping plate. Preferably the web includes a Formation which receives and retains a seal and also extending from said inner face 3 is a flange which defines a recess which receives a locking flange. The second clamp plate further comprises a nylon spacer through which fastener passes. The fastener engages a nut which secures first and second clamp plates against glass the pane. A formation preferably extends from inner face of the first cover plate. 5 A recess on the First clamping plate receives a mating profile at the top of the cover plate, which secures the cover plate against clamp plate. A finishing bead locates on the second clamp plate via shoulders of the first formation. Preferably the second clamp plate includes a Formation which receives and retains a second seal such that when the assembly is fully assembled, seal is sandwiched between the Formation 1 0 and a surface of the glass panc. According to one embodiment the glass pane support assembly can be adjusted by an installer to accommodate different sized panes. This is enabled by use of aligning holes in the glass pane Different panel sizes are accommodated through those aligning holes in the glass with a nut that slides along the recess in the First 15 clamping plate. The assembly can support glass panes of different thicknesses and by adjusting the sizing of the seals. The cover plate can be provided in various shapes and is not limited to the shape shown in the accompanying drawings. In its broadest form the present invention comprises: 20 An assembly for clamping a planar glass element via at least one edge, the assembly comprising: a first clamping plate and an opposing second clamping plate, the first clamping plate having an outer face and an inner face, the inner face including a formation which is arranged to receive and retain at least a first sealing member, the outer Face 25 including a recess which receives a mating profile on a cover plate; the first clamping plate further comprising an opening which receives a fastener which retains the first clamping plate against a first surface of the element; the second clamp plate comprising an outer face and an inner face and extending From inner 'face is a first formation and second formation, the first: formation including a 30 flange which receives and retains a sealing means; wherein the second clamping plate receives the fastener so that the fastener retains the first and second plates and passes through tile planar lemerit located between the clamping plates. 4 In a broad form oF a method aspect the present invention comprises; a method of supporting and sealing a window pane so as to provide an architrave finish using an assembly comprising: a first clamping plate and an opposing second clamping plate, the first clamping 5 plate having an outer face and an inner face, the inner face including a formation which is arranged to receive and retain at least a first sealing member, the outer face including a recess which receives a mating profile on a cover plate; the second clamp plate comprising an outer face and an inner face and extending from inner face is a first Formation and second formation, 10 the method comprising the steps of; a) taking the first and second plates and arranging them so that an inner face of one plate opposes the inner Face of the opposing plate; b) placing a glass pane in a space between the clamp plates; c) providing scaling means between once surface of the glass pane and an inner 15 Face of the first clamping plate; d) providing sealing means between the opposite surface of the glass pane and an inner face of the first clamping plate; e) aligning the clamping plates and window pane to enable penetration through the first and second clamping plates and the window pane a fastener; 20 f) tightening the fastener until the first and second plates are clamped against the window pane and against the sealing means engaging the window faces; g) fitting a cover plate to the first clamping plate and to a formation on the second clamping plate so that the outside of the cover plate provides an architectural finish. Preferably the cover plate can be offered in varying shapes. The shape of the cover 25 plate can be designed to prevent a climable toe hold as indicated by the geometry of the plate in the drawings shown. 5 The present invention provides an alternative to the known prior art: and the shortcomings identified. The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying representations, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown 5 by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying illustrations, like 10 reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and thc scope oF the present invention is best defined by the appended claims, It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to a metal section in the present exemplary application. However, it is to be appreciated 15 that the invention may be constructed From other materials. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail according to a preferred but non limiting embodiment and with reference to the accompanying illustrations. 20 Figure 1 shows an abbreviated exploded perspective view of a glass pane clamping assembly according to one embodiment. Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of the assembly of figure 1 -Fully assembled. Figure 3 shows a perspective abbreviated view of the assembly of figure I fully assembled. 25 6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention to be described below according to a preferred embodiment provides an alternative to the known anchorage assemblies for supporting glass 5 pane balustrades. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to its application to a barrier for use in such applications as balconies, stairways and the like but it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that application and may be adapted to alternative constructions. Figure 1 shows an abbreviated exploded perspective view of a glass pane clamping 10 assembly I according to one embodiment used in securing a glass pane for a balcony or barricade application. Assembly 1 comprises a first clamping plate 2 and a second clamping plate 3. Clamping plate 2 includes an outer face 4 and inner face 5. Inner face 5 includes a formation 6 which is arranged to receive and retain seal 7. Outer face 4 includes a recess 8 which receives a mating profile 9 oin cover 15 plate 10. Cover plate 10 includes formation 11 which receives and retains seal 12 such that when assembly I is fully assembled, seal 12 is sandwiched between formation I I and surface 13 of glass pane 14. Clamping plate 2 further comprises an opening 15 which receives fastener 16 which retains clamping plate 2 against pane 14. Clamp plate 3 comprises an outer face 17 and an inner face 18. Extending 20 from inner face 18 is a first formation 19 and second formation 20. First formation 19 includes a flange 21 which receives and retains seal 30. Second formation 20 includes a web 23 which extends from inner surface 18- Web 23 terminates in support platform 24. Platform 24 includes a recess 25 which receives and retains thereon setting block 26. Platform 24 also includes recess 27 which receives and 25 supports bottom edge 28 of clamping plate 2. Web 23 includes a formation 29 which receives and retains seal 22. Also extending from inner face 18, is a flange 31 which defines recess 32. Recess 32 receives locking flange 33 of formation 34 which extends from inner Face 35 of cover plate 10. Clamp plate 3 further comprises a nylon spacer 36 through which fastener 16 passes. Fastener 16 engages 30 nut 37 which secures clamp plates 2 and 3 against glass pane 14. Recess 8 on outer face 4 of clamping plate 2 receives the mating profile 9 on cover plate 10, which locks cover plate 10 against clamp plate 2. A finishing bead 39 locates on clamp plate 3 via shoulders 40 and 41 of First formation 19. 7 Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of the assembly 1 of figure I Fully assembled. Assembly I comprises a First clamping plate 2 and a second clamping plate 3. Clamping plate 2 includes an outer face 4 and inner face 5. Inner face 5 includes a formation 6 which is arranged to receive and retain seal 7. Outer face 4 5 includes a recess 8 which receives a mating profile 9 on cover plate 10. Cover plate 10 includes formation I I which receives and retains seal 12 such that when assembly I is fully assembled, seal 12 is sandwiched between formation II and surface 13 of glass pane 14. Clamping plate 2 further comprises an opening 15 which receives fastener 16 which retains clamping plate 2 against pane 14. Clamp 1.0 plate 3 comprises an outer Face 17 and an inner face 18. Extending from inner Face 18 is a first formation 19 and second formation 20. First formation 19 includes a flange 21. which receives and retains seal 30. Second formation 20 includes a web 23 which extends from inner surface 18. Web 23 terminates in support platForm 24 Platform 24 includes a recess 25 which receives and retains thereon setting block 15 26. Platform 24 also includes recess 27 which receives and supports bottom edge 28 of clamping plate 2. Web 23 includes a formation 29 which receives and retains seal 40. Also extending from inner Face 18, is a flange 31 which defines recess 32. Recess 32 receives flange 33 of formation 34 which extends from inner face 35 of cover plate 10. Preferably a nylon spacer 36 passes through an opening 38 inl glass 20 pane 14. Plate 2 includes formation 50 which receives and retains sealing spacer 51 which opposes surface 13 of pane 14. Flange 52 of fornaition 19 includes recess 53 which receives and retains sealing spacer 54. Plate 2 also includes formation 6 which receives sealing spacer 7 via recess 55. Web 23 includes recess 56 which receives sealing spacer 22. 25 Figure 3 shows with corresponding numbering a perspective abbreviated view of the assembly of figure 1 fully assembled. One advantage of the present invention is that it improves safety of such balustrades to remove any formations which can provide a toe or hand hold for children and which provides a smooth external contour without compromise to 30 structural integrity. It should be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modification may be made to the invention broadly described herein with out departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention. 8

Claims (18)

1. An assembly for mounting a glass pane, the assembly comprising: a first clamping plate and an opposing second clamping plate, the first clamping 5 plate having an outer race and an inner face, the inner face including a formation which is arranged to receive and retain at least a first sealing member, the outer face including a recess which receives a mating profile on a cover plate; the first clamping plate further comprising an opening which receives a fastener which retains the first clamping plate in opposition to a first surface of the glass pane; the 10 second clamp plate comprising an outer face and an inner facc and extending from inner face is a first formation and second formation, the first formation engaging the first clamping plate, wherein, the second clamping plate receives the fastener so that the fastener passes through the glass panel located between the clamping plates and retains the first and second plates. 15

2. An assembly according to claim I wherein the second formation of the second plate includes a web which extends f-rom an inner face and which terminates in a support platform.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the support platform includes a recess which receives and retains thereon a setting block. 20

4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the platform also includes a recess which receives and supports a bottom edge of the first clamping plate.

S. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the web of the second plate includes a Formation which receives and retains a seal.

6. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the second plate includes including a 25 flange which receives and retains a sealing means;

7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein a flange extends from said inner face and defines a recess which receives a locking flange.

8. An assembly according to claim 7 wherein, the second clamp plate further comprises a nylon spacer through which a fastener passes. 9

9. An assembly according 10 claim 10 wherein the fastener engages a not which secures First and second clamp plates against glass the pane.

10. An assembly according to claim 9 wherein, a Formation preferably extends from inner face of the first cover plate. 5

1 1 An assembly according to claim 10 wherein, a recess on the first clamping plate receives a mating profile at the top of the cover plate, which secures the cover plate against clamp plate.

12. An assembly according to claim I I further comprising a finishing bead which locates on the second clamp plate via shoulders of the first formation. 10

13. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein, the first and second clamp plates each include formations which receive and retain seals such that when the assembly is fully assembled, seals are sandwiched between the formations and a surface of tie glass pane.

14. An assembly according to claim 13 wherein, the glass pane support 15 assembly is adjustable to accommodate different pane sizes and thicknesses.

15. An assembly according to claim 14 wherein, different panel sizes arc accommodated through aligning holes in the glass and a nut that slides along the recess in the first clamping plate.

16. An assembly according to claim 15 wherein the assembly supports glass 20 panes of different thicknesses and by adjusting the sizing of the seals.

17. An assembly for clamping a planar glass element via at least one edge, the assembly comprising: a first clamping plate and an opposing second clamping plate, the first clamping plate having an outer face and an inner face, the inner face including a formation 25 which is arranged to receive and retain at least a first sealing member, the outer face including a recess which receives a mating profile on a cover plate; the first clamping plate further comprising an opening which receives a fastener which retains the first clamping plate against a first surface of the element; the second clamp plate comprising an outer face and an inner face and extending from 10 inner face is a first formation and second formation, the first for-ation including a flange which receives and retains a scaling means; wherein the second clamping plate receives the fastener so that the fastener retains the first and second plates and passes through the planar element located between the clamping plates. 5

18. A method of supporting and sealing a window pane so as to provide an architrave finish using an assembly comprising; a First clamping plate and an opposing second clamping plate, the first clamping plate having an outer face and an inner face, the inner face including a formation which is arranged to receive and retain at least a first sealing member, the outer face 10 including a recess which receives a mating profile on a cover plate; the second clamp plate comprising an outer face and an inner face and extending from inner face is a first formation and second formation, the method comprising the steps of: a) taking the First and second plates and arranging them so that an inner face of one 15 plate opposes the inner fare of the opposing plate; b) placing a glass pane in a space between the clamp plates; c) providing sealing means between once surface of the glass pane and an inner face of the first clamping plate; d) providing sealing means between the opposite surface of the glass pane and an 20 inner face of the first clamping plate; e) aligning the clamping plates and window pane to enable penetration through the first and second clamping plates and the window pane a fastener; f) tightening the fastener until the first and second plates are clamped against the window pane and against the sealing means engaging the window faces; 25 g) fitting a cover plate to the first clamping plate and to a formation on the second clamping plate so that the outside of the cover plate provides an architectural Finish. 11