EP0837975A1

EP0837975A1 - A setting block

Info

Publication number: EP0837975A1
Application number: EP96911130A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lars Eriksson
Original assignee: Niemann Hans-Dieter
Current assignee: Niemann Hans-Dieter
Priority date: 1995-07-11
Filing date: 1996-03-15
Publication date: 1998-04-29
Also published as: SE9502556D0; WO1997003270A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a setting block in the form of a spacer (6) for supporting and adjusting a sheet member (5), preferably in the form of a glass package in structure elements, such as windows, doors and the like. The spacer (6) is provided with at least one rounded formation (7) on at least one of its edge sections, which are directly or indirectly connected to the spacer so that a mounting of the spacer will be easier to carry out and result in a reduced risk for damage influence on the sheet member (5).

Description

A setting block

The present invention relates to a setting block in the form of a spacer for supporting and positioning a a sheet member, preferably in the form of a glass package in structure elements, such as windows, doors and the like.

For supporting sheet members by means of setting blocks, where the sheet members, e.g. in the form of glass packages in windows, doors or other structure elements, supporting blocks are today used in the bottom and spacers in the sides and in the upper part in order to transmit loads in a proper way from the sheet members to the window or to the structure element. The setting blocks or spacers create a ventilated space between the sheet member and the surrounding structure element. The blocks also give the possibility to position the sheet member in a proper way in the window, the door or in the structure element so that it becomes correctly supported horizontally and vertically and in relation to the groove of the sheet member.

The setting blocks are mainly sheet-formed and have a width which mainly often corresponds to the thickness of the glass package. Different improvements have been made in these supporting and spacer blocks in the form of thickenings and recesses in order to add new qualities as e.g. automatically keeping them in place, being able to vary in width, creating ventilation possibilities and automatically holding the block during the mounting process.

However, there is another big problem in the handling of these blocks. It can be difficult to push them into their position between the sheet members and actual structure element when the supporting of the sheet members by means of the setting blocks takes place, the setting block can be of a rectangular form in section or have inclined edges. which are sharp. When the setting blocks shall then be pressed into the space between the sheet member, in this case the glass package, and the window profile the front edge of the block, or if the edge is inclined, the sharp edges will catch or get stuck in one or more of the glass sheets included in the glass package. On that occasions there is a risk that violence is used against the setting block when trying to press it downwards with big force or to hit the setting block with some tool in order to press the setting block totally downwards into the groove. In this case one or more glass can be broken.

A common method today when supporting a sheet member by means of setting blocks is to use tools, like a small spader or a big firmer, to urge the window profiles so that the space between it and the glass package will increase. Of course, it will then be easier to get the setting block down into its space without it getting stuck or fastened in a glass edge. In spite thereof the problem existing in known structures arises with unexplained cracks in the glass package as a consequence, when e.g. the setting block fastens with its edge against some of the glasses in the glass package and thereafter one bends too hard with the glassing tool. Also, when using several setting blocks one upon the other to fill out the actual gap between the glass and the window profile, problems will arise when the outermost setting block is caught towards the glass package and the work with a bending tool will then become more trying for the glass and the frame.

Also in those cases when the setting blocks have not been totally pushed into the space beneath the glass package problems will later on arise with cracks in the glass package as a consequence. It is also important that the setting block can be quickly mounted without using too much time in order to keep the mounting costs as low as possible. Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a setting block of the type mentioned above by which the above-mentioned drawbacks are eliminated. The characterizing features of the invention are set forth in the accompanying claims.

Thanks to the invention there is provided a setting block, which in an excellent manner fulfil its purpose at the same time being both cheap and simple to manufacture. Thus, the setting block can by means of simple manipulation be pressed into position without any stresses arising in the actual glass package or without the setting block fastening against any protruding edge of the glass window when the block is pushed into the gap between the glass package and the window profile. Neither will any stresses arise in the glass package after the mounting. Further a quicker and safer mounting is achieved with the setting block according to the invention, since thanks to the structure of the block it is not necessary to be as careful as before.

The invention will now be described more in detail by means of some preferred embodiment examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, where

Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-section of a previously known setting block during its mounting into the gap between a glass package and a window profile,

Fig. 2 also shows a schematic cross-section of a mounting process according to Fig. 1 but here a setting block according to the invention is used.

Fig. 2a shows a partical enlargement of the setting block used in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 shows the same view as in Figs. 1 and 2 but here with an alternative embodiment of the setting block according to the invention,

Fig. 4-10 show other alternative embodiments of setting blocks according to the invention.

Fig. 11-12 show two alternative embodiments of setting blocks according to the invention and the ways of mounting them and

Fig. 13 shows still another alternative embodiment of a setting block according to the invention including an air gap.

Referring to Fig. 1, a mounting of a glass package 5 is illustrated by means of a previously known and often usually used setting block 1. Here the glass package 5 has a protruding glass sheet 2, which will result in that the block 1 will fasten thereon when it is pushed into the gap between the edge of the glass package 5 and a groove side 4 of a window profile 3. This means that the block 1 with its pushing-in force is just directed vertically against the glass edge and cannot be pushed further down into the groove if any other side force does not move the glass package 5 in order to increase the width of the gap and clear the way for the setting block 1. Therefore, there is in this case no need for using a bending tool for providing this side force.

The present invention solves this problem by the setting block 1 used having the form of a spacer, which has at least one rounded formation 7 on at least one of its edge sections, which are directly or indirectly connected to the spacer proper. This is illustrated in Figs. 2, 2a and according to this embodiment the rounded formation 7 extends at least along some part of the edges of the illustrated block 6, their thickness being continuously increased in a direction towards the edges in order to end in a smoothly rounded form, which will help clearing the way for the penetration of the block 6 between the short side of the glass package 5 and the groove side 4 of the window profile 3 without a fastening of the block takes place against a possibly protruding glass sheet 2. By means of the smoothly rounded formation 7 on the block 6 according to the invention an oblique working surface is achieved against the glass edge in the glass package 5 so that, when the rounded formation 7 of the block 6 is pressed downwards into the gap between the groove 4 and the glass package 5, it will be able to create a side force acting in a direction parallel to the glass surface of the glass package 5. The glass package 5 will then move in this direction. Also, the window profile 3 will receive a force, which is as big as the one opposite to the other direction. Since the window profile 3 is not as resilient as the glass package 5 to be moved, the glass package 5 will move.

The setting block 6 with its rounded formation 7 is consequently much easier to get into position in the glass groove 4 than previously known, rectangular setting blocks with or without inclined surfaces having sharp edges. The risk for the glass being broken due to its positioning pressure during the mounting of the setting block according to the invention will essentially increase, since a sufficiently lesser force is directed directly against the edge of the glass sheet 2. Also, the risk will be reduced for the setting blocks being prevented from penetrating entirely downwards into the bottom of the gap, which in turn involves that all of the glass sheets included in the glass package will always rest on the setting block.

Referring to Fig. 3, a setting block 6 is illustrated with its rounded formation 7 entirely pushed into the groove 4. Here, the extension 9 of the rounded formation 7 is used to position the supporting surface of the block 6 so that it will not sink downwardly as long that the edge 10 of the block 6 on the upper side will not sink under the glass 11. In order to save material during the manufacture of the blocks the blocks will sometimes be made so thin that they are just as broad as the thickness of the thermo pane. The blocks must support at least some part of each glass. Then it is important that they do not sink downwardly into the space 8, which constitutes the gap width created by a sealing strip 12. Without this additional thickness constituting the rounded formation 7 the block would sink downwardly as long a distance that the glass 11 passes freely and is not supported by the block. Of course, the rounded formation 7 can have a shorter or longer extension 9 than the sealing strip 12.

Also, the rounded formation 7 can have different length, form and slope. In some cases the tangent of the rounded section will only be a couple of degrees or more. The rounded section can have different radii in the same rounded formation. They can have a limited extension along the edge of the block according to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4. Here, the rounded formation 7 is shown as a smaller extension, which can be preferable from a material saving point of view.

In Fig. 5 there is shown an alternative embodiment of a block 6 having two rounded formations 7. Here, material will be saved simultaneously as an additional positioning effect is achieved. During insertion of the block 6 into a gap an alignment of the block 6 is achieved, since the two rounded formations 7 will reach the bottom. No part of the block proper will then reach the bottom, except the rounded formations 7, but the block is in an inclined position in the actual groove. Of course, more than two rounded formations 7 can be used. In Fig. 6 is illustrated that a rounded formation 7 can be extended around more than one side. Consequently, one or more sides can be provided with rounded formations 7. They can also extend entirely around. In these cases the advantage is achieved that they will be partly or entirely tumable. Then it is not needed to keep in mind in which direction the rounded formation 7 shall be turned. If the rounded formation 7 has a longer extension instead of constituting shorter extensions according to Fig. 5, the pressure will be better distributed against the glass egde of the rounded formation 7. The pressure per unit of length of rounded formation extension against the glass edge will be lesser so that the injury risk on the glass will be reduced. During oblique pushing in of the block the rounded formation 7 still works without any risk for it being fastened along any part of said glass edge, since the rounded formation 7 extends over the entire length. A certain reduction of the pressure against the glass is also achieved when the block is allowed to be obliquely pressed downwards, as then a torque change takes place until the block has entirely reached the bottom. During this entire length the function of the edge-working rounded formation has operated along the glass edge one piece at a time, while the glass package has been pushed into position.

The rounded formation 7 illustrated on the block according to Fig. 7 can be situated at least on one side 12, i.e. on the side which is to be turned against the glass package during mounting so that the function according to the invention is achieved. If the rounded formation 7 also exists beneath according to Fig. 8 the block 6 will be tumable with the same function, which will facilitate the glassing work. In case of very narrow gaps between the glass package and the groove it is possible to push the block inwards a small piece of its width so that it can be kept in position when the work with the other blocks continues. If the rounded formations 7 according to Fig. 9 on the block 6 are also situated on its shorter sides they can be used as bending tools, whereby, just before they are pushed downwards into the groove, the shorter end can be pushed downwards a little distance into the gap between the glass package and the groove so that by means of a simple manipulation it is possible to bend with a little force so that the glass package will move a bit if it is incorrectly positioned. This makes a rough adjustment possible of the position of the glass package and it can be provided during controlled forms so that no damages will occur on the edges of the glass as the lever arm of a block is so short that the force against the glass will never be so big that damages of the glass will occur. When the block is then pressed down it is turned so that the rounded formations on any of the longer sides are directed downwardly in a direction towards the gap. Then they are pressed down into their position. The wedge function of the rounded formations will then finely adjust the position of the glass.

Sometimes it can be advantageous that the rounded formation 7 has different inclination 13, 14 on the block 6 in different sides according to Fig. 10 and sometimes it is advantageous that one of the inclinations is mainly straight, with other words mainly parallel to the surface of the block and that the other side is oblique. These different inclinations make it possible to choose to turn that inclination which is best for the moment towards the glass. A glass sheet which extends outwards just a little in relation to the entire glass package must of course not be pressed aside so much. Therefore, it is possible to manage with a rounded formation having a small inclination 13 in order for the block to be pressed downwards in the most controlled way. If there exists a bigger deviation in the glasses so that one glass sheet protrudes more than the other, the sharper inclination 14 on the rounded formation 7 is to be used.

The rounded formation 7 according to Fig. 11 can be used for bending if the uppermost glass 15 in a glass package 18 protrudes so far towards a groove edge 19 in relation to the other glass edges 16 in the glass package so that there exists just a small gap between groove and glass. Then the point 17 of the rounded formation 7 is placed so that a favourable position is achieved so close as possible in web with a surface 20 of the block. Then a good accessability is achieved in the gap between the groove 19 and the glass edge 15. When this point is pressed downwards and contacts the glass edge 15 the end 21 of the block 6 can be bent upwards in a direction 22 so that the glass package 18 will move a little to a roughly adjusted position and a space is created in order then to bring the block 6 into position with the rounded formation 7 turned against the other direction towards the glass for fine adjustment of the position of the glass package. Independently of how the rounded formation on the blocks looks like they will all be easy to bring downwards into the gap between the glass and the groove in contrast to previously known blocks having sharp edges with or without inclination.

The rounded formation 7 can be provided with a long inclined surface. Often, especially when plastic or aluminium windows and some other windows are going to be mounted by means of setting blocks around a glass package 25 according to Fig. 12, there is an additional space 24 before the block reaches the bottom dependent on the appearance of the window profile. It is then possible to use this longer distance 23 to reduce the inclined angle of the rounded formation 7 thereby reducing the force against the glass package 25 during the mounting of the block 6. Then a longer distance on the rounded formation 7 of the block 6 is achieved in order to move the glass package 25 the same distance aside och thereby a torque change of the force against the glass is achieved so that it decreases proportionally to the length of the distance.

In Fig. 13 finally there is illustrated an embodiment of the block 6 where the rounded ormation 7 extends almost entirely around it and at the center part of said block longitudinal air channels or grooves 26 extend.

All the connections described above, including rounded formations on the block according to the invention can be more or less resilient so that they are slightly flexible when they are pushed down into their position. In this way a smallest possible stress against the glass is achieved simultaneously as the block will function satisfactorily.

Different combinations of the embodiments of the block described above can of course be possible in order to put the invention into practice.

Claims

1. A setting block in the form of a spacer for supporting and adjusting a sheet member (5) , preferably in the form of a glass package in structure elements, such as windows, doors and the like, characterized in that the spacer (6) is provided with at least one rounded formation (7) on at least one of its edge sections, which are directly or indirectly connected to the spacer (6) .

2. A setting block according to claim 1 , characterized in that the rounded formation (7) is provided with at least one longitudinal rounding on at least one side.

3. A setting block according to claim 1, characterized in that the rounded formation (7) is situated on at least one side.

4. A setting block according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rounded formation (7) is built up by several protrusions.

5. A setting block according to claim 4, characterized in that the rounded formation (7) consists of at least one smaller protrusion, which is shorter than the length of the spacer (6) .

6. A setting block according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rounded formation (7) is provided with an inclined surface, which is situated nearest to its upper surface of the spacer (6) and which is turned against the glass package (5) .

7. A setting block according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection of the rounded formation (7) to any of the surfaces of the spacer has a rounded shape.

8. A setting block according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rounded formation (7) is flexibly resilient.