Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
  • E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
  • E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
  • E04F13/0801—Separate fastening elements
  • E04F13/0803—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements
  • E04F13/081—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements with additional fastening elements between furring elements and covering elements
  • E04F13/0814—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements with additional fastening elements between furring elements and covering elements fixed by means of clamping action
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
  • E04B2/88—Curtain walls
  • E04B2/96—Curtain walls comprising panels attached to the structure through mullions or transoms

Definitions

• This invention relates to apparatus for fixing panels to a structure and particularly although not exclusively relates to apparatus for fixing cladding panels to a wall of a building.
• BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known to construct a building by mounting panels onto a framework made of steel or other suitable materials.
• the front of a building may be clad by rows of panels stacked one above the oth ⁇ r in vertical columns.
• the panels are fixed directly to the building framework, but some of the weight of each panel is usually transferred to the panel below it. Consequently, if a panel at the bottom of the building has to be replaced, it can be very difficult to remove that panel without supporting the rest of the panels above it.
• the panels at the bottom of the building can be under considerable load, so that their weather seals can become damaged or displaced.
• apparatus for fixing panels to a structure comprising:
• a support element which is fixed to the structure and is provided with a plurality of first fixing formations at predetermined positions along its length; a plurality of panels, each panel having a second fixing formation; and
• the panels are connected to the support element at predetermined positions and spacing relative to the structure, and the weight of each panel is carried substantially by the fixing element which connects that panel to the elongate support element.
• the elongate support element is substantially vertical. It may for example comprise a mullion.
• the panels are cladding panels.
• the first fixing formations comprise recesses and/or openings formed in the elongate support element .
• the second fixing formations comprise recesses formed in the panels.
• the fixing elements comprise plates which engage the first fixing formations and the second fixing formations.
• the plates interlock with the first fixing formations and/or the second fixing formations.
• the plates are fixed by means of screws or bolts .
• the fixing elements are accessed through a gap or opening formed between respective pairs of panels which are fixed side by side to the structure.
• the gap or opening may be formed in a seal which seals the gap between the panels.
• the support element is elongate.
• the apparatus comprises at least one further support element.
• the support elements are substantially parallel.
• the further element is provided with fixing formations at predetermined positions along its length, the panels each having at least two second fixing formations which cooperate with respective first fixing formations.
• the panels fit between the elongate support elements, and/or the second fixing formations are located at the edges of the panels.
• Figure 1 shows a first exploded view of a fixing apparatus in accordance with the present invention
• Figure 2 shows additional detail of a mullion, cladding panel and fixings of the fixing apparatus of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a section through the assembled fixing apparatus of Figure 1 ;
• Figure 4 is a section through the assembled fixing apparatus of Figure 1, to illustrate how the fixing bolt is accessed.
• FIGS 1 and 2 illustrate a fixing apparatus in accordance with the present invention in which a cladding panel 2 is connected to a mullion 4 by means of a fixing element comprising a fixing plate 6.
• the fixing plate 6 comprises a pair of flanges 8, 10 which are interconnected by a channel-shaped portion
• Fixing openings 14, 16 are provided in each flange 8, 10 and are adapted to receive screws 18, 20.
• the fixing plate 6 is pressed from mild steel and is galvanised, but any appropriate material and method of manufacture is contemplated for the fixing plate 6.
• the mullion 4 is provided on its front wall 21 with a continuous rib 22 in which is formed a first fixing formation comprising a cut-out or recess 24 and a pair of threaded bores 23, 25.
• a continuous rib 26 is integrally formed with a side 28 of the panel 2 and comprises a second fixing formation comprising a cutout or recess 30.
• the panel 2 is fixed to the mullion 4 by abutting the side 28 of the panel 2 against the rib 22 on the mullion 4.
• the vertical alignment of the panel 2 relative to the mullion 4 is then adjusted slightly until the channel-shaped portion 12 of the plate 6 is able to locate in the recesses 24 and 30.
• the fixing plate 6 is then aligned horizontally such that the openings 14, 16 on the fixing plate 6 align with the corresponding threaded bores 23, 25 formed on the rib 22 of the mullion 4.
• the screws 18, 20 can be screwed through the openings 14, 16 into the threaded bores 23, 25 to fix the plate 6 to the mullion 4.
• the panel 2 is trapped against the wall 21 of the mullion 4.
• a similar fixing arrangement is provided on the other side of the panel 2 to connect the panel 2 to another mullion (not shown) . Consequently, the panel 2 is effectively trapped between the two mullions, and cannot move laterally because of the rib 22 on each mullion, and cannot move vertically because of the engagement of the channel -shaped portion 12 of the fixing plate 6 in the recesses 24, 30. It will be appreciated that with this fixing arrangement, provided that the mullions are accurately positioned relative to the structure as a whole, the panels are accurately aligned with the structure simply by engagement of the fixing plates 6 with the recesses 24, 30.
• Figure 2 shows a larger section of the mullion 4 of Figure 1 and also shows further details of the panel 2.
• two additional fixings comprising flat plates 32, 34 are attached to the rib 22 by means of screws 36, 38.
• the flat plates 32, 34 when screwed to the rib 22 engage the panel 2 and help to stabilise it.
• Figure 3 is a cross-section through the centre of the fixing plate 6 the panel 2 and mullion 4.
• a continuous sealing element (such as a gasket) 40 is therefore located in the mullion 4 and is sandwiched between the panel 2 and mullion 4 when they are brought together.
• Figure 4 is a partial view of two panels 2, 3 fixed to the mullion 4.
• sealing element 40 there is a second sealing element 42 between the panel 2 and the mullion 4 and a third sealing element 44 which seals the gap between the panels 2, 3.
• a deep socket 48 can be passed around or through the sealing element 44 to tighten or loosen the screw 20 to thereby attach or detach the fixing plate 6 and hence the panels 2, 3.
• the fixing plate 6 engages into defined recesses 24, 30 in the mullion 4 and the panel 2 (and other fixing plates engage in similar recesses in the panel 3 and all other panels fitted to the mullion 4), the vertical position of the panels 2, 3 is maintained by the fixing plates and substantially the entire weight of the panels 2, 3 is carried by the panels' individual fixings, rather than being transmitted to the panels below. Consequently, if individual panels become damaged or wear out, or need to be replaced (for example to exchange a solid panel for a window panel) it is a simple matter to unscrew the screw 20 and hence detach the fixing plate 6.
• the flat plates 32, 34 can be accessed around or through the third sealing element 44 and unscrewed in a similar fashion, so that the panel can be removed on its own from the structure and replaced appropriately.
• the recesses 24 in the mullions 4 are provided with threaded openings 23, 25.
• self drill and tap fasteners may be used in place of the screws 18, 20.
• a fixing plate is fixed rigidly to a respective mullion only, so that thermal expansion of the panels is not prevented. It will be appreciated that if the fixing plates were rigidly fixed to the panels, for example by screws or bolts, as well as to the mullions, the fixing plates would resist thermal expansion, possibly causing damage to or distortion of the fixing plates and/or panels.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Load-Bearing And Curtain Walls (AREA)
• Joining Of Building Structures In Genera (AREA)
• Connection Of Plates (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=9946180

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 2002
  • 2002-10-18 GB GB0224323A patent/GB2394233A/en not_active Withdrawn
• 2003
  • 2003-10-17 EP EP03756585A patent/EP1556560A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2003-10-17 AU AU2003301320A patent/AU2003301320A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-10-17 WO PCT/GB2003/004494 patent/WO2004035959A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (4)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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