EP2787138B1

EP2787138B1 - A connection for a sealing system for an upright transom construction

Info

Publication number: EP2787138B1
Application number: EP13461517.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mariusz Buchnajzer; Rafal Wyszkowski
Original assignee: Hydro Building Systems Poland Sp zoo
Current assignee: Hydro Building Systems Poland Sp zoo
Priority date: 2013-04-03
Filing date: 2013-04-03
Publication date: 2019-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-03
Also published as: EP2787138A1; PL2787138T3; LT2787138T

Description

The present invention relates to a connection of two mutually perpendicular bearing elements of a mullion-transom façade construction. The invention relates in particular to the glazed mullion-transom façade or roof constructions, the mullions being connected to the transoms usually at right angle to form frames to which curtain panels, e.g. glazing panels may be fixed.
The above described constructions require that a reliable watertight sealing of the mullion-transom connections is provided that would however enable the moisture accumulated inside the construction to be drained off. The accumulated moisture, if not drained off, tends to penetrate further inside which is obviously disadvantageous. The fact that in operation the construction is subject to stresses, both mechanical and thermal, causing deformation, constitutes a further impediment and increases the risk of a water leak or moisture penetration into the inside of the building. In the case of mullion-transom constructions that are formed of hollow profile elements, the moisture and water may also penetrate inside the profiles which is also a disadvantage.
The well-known connections making use of so called transom extenders are often used in typical mullion-transom façade constructions. The transom extender is a joining element that is placed inside the connection area so as to at least partially extend the transom in order to enable a controlled draining of the moisture flowing down along the draining grooves of the transom into the respective draining grooves of the mullions. Such an additional extender is beneficial in terms of the moisture draining but it constitutes a great impediment to the sealing of the connection. The sealing is more effective and simpler in installation if it consists of a limited number of elements and contact surfaces. It is also preferred that the contact surfaces are "gasket to gasket" rather than "mullion/ transom to gasket" because elasticity and flexibility of both connected surfaces promotes tightness.
In known solutions each mullion gasket is usually contacted both with a thinner transom gaskets and the transom extender which may consist of a trimmed portion of the transom. Such a solution may require that a sealing mass is used which makes it difficult to obtain satisfactory results. Further additional elements (sometimes integrated with the transom extender) are also often used in order to seal the mullion-transom connection.
Document EP 1 223 257 discloses a solution making use of various gaskets located on mullions and transoms (those on the transoms are 6-7 mm thinner than those on the mullions). Their connection is complicated as it requires a special connector element joining the respective gaskets of the transom and of the mullion which also improves the tightness of the transom-mullion connection. Such an arrangement (front surface contact) does not allow any longitudinal movements without losing the tightness of the connection. The length of the transoms of such constructions changes with temperature variations, while the spacing of the mullions changes with the movements of the bearing structure of a building. In EP 1 223 257 a stiff transom-mullion connection is foreseen, formed by the connector 38 and the screws 33, 36. All in all, minor geometrical changes may not be compensated in such a construction. Additionally, instead of one corner connection of the gasket (the transom gasket with the mullion gasket) two corner connection are necessary (the transom gasket with the special connector and the mullion gasket with the special connector). A disadvantage of such systems resides also in that internal gaskets of various thicknesses are used in order to enable fixing of the curtains having various thicknesses (usually the double and triple glass units). Consequently, the special connector also must be provided in the various sizes complying with the various thicknesses of the gaskets.
Document EP 1 437 449 discloses a solution making use of identical gaskets on mullions and transoms. However, a special corner connector 12 is necessary, joining the mullion and transom gaskets. Similarly as in the above described EP 1 223 257 , the corner connector must be provided in various sizes so as to comply with the all the various types of the gaskets. The sealing element 1 is meant to seal the connection of the transom profile with the mullion profile. However, it separates the mullion gaskets. As a result, the special connectors 12 are provided which are easier to be tightly fitted to the sealing element 1 than the free endings of the mullion gaskets. In other words, due to the structure of the sealing element 1, the special corner connectors 12 must be used instead of a direct connection of the transom and mullion gaskets.
A similar solution to that described in relation to EP 1 437 449 is known form the document BE 1014497 . In this case a sealing element 1 (corresponding to that of EP 1 437 449 ) is combined with a partial shape of the transom gasket so that the connector shown in figs. 10-15 is formed providing a tight connection. However, the number of the contacting gaskets surfaces is doubled again (instead of one contact surface - the transom gasket with the mullion gasket, there are two - the transom gasket with the special connector and the mullion gasket with the special connector). And again, various types of the special connector are needed in order to fit all the different sizes of the mullion and transom gaskets. This solution also requires the use of an additional mechanical connector (see fig. 16), to be fixed by screws penetrating through the profiles walls which is a great disadvantage considering the stresses generated in such a constrained connections by the thermal and mechanical deformations and the resulting risks of water penetration inside the profiles and the building.
Document PL212133 describes a mullion-transom construction for façades or roofs, the mullions being connected to the transoms usually at right angle to form frames to which glazing panels are fixed. The aim of this invention was to obtain a mullion-transom construction in which the installation of the transoms was easy and where the troublesome trimming of the transoms was not necessary. The construction consists of profile transoms and mullions, each having on one side gasket fixing grooves, draining grooves and a mounting slot (for mounting the glazing), the transoms being extended in the connection area by a special extender element. Because of the specific form of the grooves, the slot and the special extender element, at least two types of gaskets are required, i.e. the thicker mullion gaskets and the thinner transom gaskets. Also, in the connection area, each mullion gasket contacts both the special extender element and the thinner transom gasket which is a disadvantage because, as mentioned above, the contact of two surfaces one of which is flexible and the other stiff does not promote tightness.
In view of the above, the object of the present invention is to provide a connection of two mutually perpendicular bearing elements of a mullion-transom façade construction which would be simple and which would comprise a minimum possible number of contacting surfaces with all the gaskets being of one and the same type.
Another object of the invention is to provide a connection having improved sealing effectiveness.
The invention provides a sealing system according to claim 1 comprising a connection of two mutually perpendicular elements of a mullion-transom façade construction, said connection comprising means of first gaskets extending along one of the connected elements and second gaskets extending along the other of connected elements, said elements being profile elements each having
at least one grooved side wall, in which at least two gasket fixing grooves are formed projecting toward the inside of the profile element and extending each along one of the longitudinal edges of the grooved side wall, and in which one draining groove, or two draining grooves and a mounting slot, are formed projecting on the outside of the profile element, the draining groove, or the two draining grooves and the mounting slot, being parallel to the gasket fixing grooves, the cross-section of the wall of each profile element being the same, and a separate connector element being provided in the connection area of the two mutually perpendicular elements, constituting an extension of the draining groove, or of the mounting slot and of both draining grooves, of one of the connected elements and overlapping the other of the connecting elements, wherein a first plane comprising the underside surfaces of the draining groove, or of the mounting slot and of both draining grooves, as well as of the connector element is parallel to a second plane defined by the external edges of the gasket fixing grooves and is offset in relation to said second plane towards the outside of the profile element by a distance,
the first and second gaskets fixed in the grooves of both connected elements, have the same thickness, the first gaskets of one of the connected elements contacting the second gaskets of the other of the connected elements over its whole thickness,
and wherein each gasket fixed in the connected element, which is not extended by the connector element, comprises a recess in the connection area ensuring continuity of said gasket, the shape of the recess enabling a water/moisture-tight contact of the underside surface and the side surfaces of the connector element with the inner surface of the recess.
In the first embodiment of the invention a connection of two mutually perpendicular elements of a mullion-transom façade construction comprises means of first gaskets extending along one of the connected elements and second gaskets extending along the other of the connected elements, said elements being profile elements each having at least one grooved side wall in which at least two gasket fixing grooves are formed projecting toward the inside of the profile element and extending each along one of the longitudinal edges of the grooved side wall, and in which two draining grooves and a mounting slot are formed projecting on the outside of the profile element, the draining grooves and the mounting slot being parallel to the gasket fixing grooves, the cross-section of the said grooved side wall of each element being the same, and a separate connector element being provided in the element connection area, constituting an extension of the mounting slot and of both draining grooves of one of the connected elements and overlapping the other of the connected elements.
The connection according to the first embodiment of invention is characterized in that a first plane comprising the lower surfaces of the mounting slot, of both draining grooves and of the connector element is parallel to a second plane defined by the external edges of the gasket fixing grooves and is offset in relation to said second plane towards the outside of the profile element by a distance, and in that the first and the second gaskets fixed in the grooves of both connected profile elements have the same thickness, the first gaskets of one of the connected elements contacting the second gaskets of the other of the connected elements over its whole thickness and each gasket fixed in that profile element that is not extended by the connector element, may comprise a recess in the connection area ensuring continuity of said gasket, the shape of the recess enabling a water/moisture-tight contact of the lower surface and the side surfaces of the connector element with the inner surface of the recess. Preferably, both connected profile elements have the same cross sections. The distance between the first and the second plane is preferably from about 0,5 mm to about 3 mm, more preferably about 0,8 mm.
Preferably, the gaskets of the respective profile elements, contacting each other in the connection area, define with their free side walls a common plane which is parallel to said first plane comprising the lower surfaces of the mounting slot, of both draining grooves and of the connector element.
Each gasket may preferably be made of a plastic material.
Also preferably, each gasket may comprise two parts permanently joined with each other and made of the materials having different elasticity coefficients.
Optionally, each gasket may comprise a part made of EPDM and a part made of foamed EPDM.
The first and second gaskets may have identical cross-sections.
The part of the connector element overlapping that profile element that is not extended by the connector element, completely fills the recess.
According to the second embodiment of the invention a connection of two mutually perpendicular elements of a mullion-transom façade construction comprises means of first gaskets extending along the one of the connected elements and the second gaskets extending along the other of the connected elements, said elements being profile elements each having at least one grooved side wall, and at least two gasket fixing grooves being formed in said at least one side wall projecting toward the inside of the profile element and extending each along one of the longitudinal edges of the grooved side wall, and in which one draining groove is formed projecting on the outside of the profile element and parallel to the gasket fixing grooves, the cross-section of the grooved side wall of each profile element being the same, and a separate connector element being provided in the element connection area, constituting an extension of the draining groove of one of the profile elements and overlapping the other of the profile elements .
The connection according to the second embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a first plane comprising the lower surface of the draining groove and of the connector element is parallel to a second plane defined by the external edges of the gasket fixing grooves and is offset in relation to said second plane towards the outside of the profile element by a distance, and in that the first and second gaskets fixed in the grooves of both profile elements have the same thickness, the first gaskets of one of the connected elements contacting the second gaskets of the other of the connected elements over its whole thickness.
The connection according to the second embodiment of invention may present any of the following preferred features:

both connected profile elements have the same cross-sections;
the distance between the first and the second plane is from about 0,5 mm to about 3 mm, more preferably about 0,8 mm;
each gasket fixed in that profile element that is not extended by the connector element, may comprise a recess in the connection area ensuring continuity of said gasket, the shape of the recess enabling a water/moisture-tight contact of the lower surface and the side surfaces of the connector element with the inner surface of the recess;
the gaskets of the respective profile elements, contacting each other in the connection area, define with their free side walls a common plane which is parallel to said first plane comprising the lower surfaces of the draining groove and of the connector element;
each gasket may be made of a plastic material;
each gasket may comprise two parts permanently joined with each other and made of the materials having different elasticity coefficients;
each gasket may comprise a part made of EPDM and a part made of foamed EPDM;
the first and second gaskets may have identical cross-sections;
the part of the connector element overlapping that profile element that is not extended by the connector element, completely fills the recess;
a mounting bead is slidably received in the draining groove.

Due to the above features, the connection according to the present invention ensures moisture and water tightness of the two mutually perpendicular bearing elements of the mullion-transom façade construction. This effect is achieved in a simple manner because the connection comprises a least number of the gaskets surfaces that are contacted with each other, the gaskets being preferably identical on the mullions and on the transoms. Consequently, the effectiveness of the sealing is improved and the installation of the connection simplified.
In both embodiments, the connector element, the so called "extender", does not constitute a direct sealing element on the edge of the mullion but it ensures the (partial) continuity of the mullion gaskets.
In a preferred embodiment, a lower part of the mullion gasket remains continuous and constitutes, along with the two side walls of the recess made in the gasket, the sealing element contacting the connector element. Due to the maintained continuity, the mullion gaskets to not diverge and are able to ensure the effective tightness of the connection which is easy to achieve.
The connector element does not comprise extensions of the gasket fixing grooves and it does not constitute a direct sealing element on the edge of the mullion. Due to this arrangement the mullion gaskets and the transom gaskets (preferably having the same shape and size) are pressed directly against each other (the transom gasket is pressed against the mullion gasket) making the connection tight. In a preferred embodiment, the connector element is pressed against the three walls of the recess made in the mullion gasket and forms a sealing between the transom end and the mullion. There are no additional sealing elements. The sealing is ensured exclusively by the mullion gaskets (locally recessed in the connection area) and the abutting transom gaskets.
Additionally, the structure of the gaskets of the connection according to the invention, as well as their method of installation is specific. The gaskets are mainly made of a foamed material promoting improved tightness under pressure (the transom gaskets are pressed against the mullion gaskets). In order to enhance this effect, the transom gaskets are provided about 3-5% too long.
The connection according to the invention has been presented in the appended drawing in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of two exemplary sectors of the profile elements before connection, to be sealed by means of the connection according to the first embodiment of the invention;
Figs. 2a and 2b show perspective views of two exemplary sectors of the gaskets for use in the connection according to the invention;
Fig. 3 presents a perspective view of the sectors of the profile elements shown in fig. 1, during installation of the connection according to the invention;
Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of one of the profile elements of the connection according to the first embodiment of the invention with the plane P shown;
Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of three sectors of the profile elements connected and sealed by means of the connection according to the first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 6 shows a cross-section of the profile element of the connection according to the first embodiment of the invention with exemplary gaskets fixed in their grooves;
Fig. 7 shows a cross-section of the profile element of the connection according to the first embodiment of the invention without gaskets;
Fig. 8 schematically shows the arrangement of the gaskets of two connected profile elements of the connection according to the first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of two exemplary sectors of the profile elements before connection, to be sealed by means of the connection according to the second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of one of the profile elements of the connection according to the second embodiment of the invention with the plane P shown;
Fig. 11 shows a cross-section of the profile element of the connection according to the second embodiment of the invention with exemplary gaskets fixed in their grooves;
Fig. 12 shows a cross-section of the profile element of the connection according to the second embodiment of the invention without gaskets.

Figs. 1 to 8 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the connection according to the first embodiment of the invention.
In fig. 1 sectors of two exemplary profile elements 1 and 2 are shown before connection. The elements 1 and 2 in the shown embodiments are the transoms 1 and the mullions 2 of a façade construction. The said construction may also be a glazed roof structure. The transoms 1 are being connected with the mullions 2 at right angle so as to form the frames to which the curtain panels, e.g. glazing panels are fixed.
Each of the elements 1 and 2 has the same cross-section, but identical cross-section is not a requisite. However, the grooved walls 3 of both elements 1 and 2 need to have identical cross-sections.
As already mentioned above, such constructions require that a reliable watertight sealing of the mullion-transom connections is provided that would however enable the moisture accumulated inside the construction to be drained off. Therefore, special gasket fixing grooves 4, draining grooves 5 and a slot 6 for mounting the curtain panels are formed in the grooved side walls 3. According to the invention the walls 3 of both elements 1, 2 have two gasket fixing grooves 4 extending each along one longitudinal edge of the wall 3. The grooves 4 project towards the inside of the profile element. Between the grooves 4 and in parallel thereto two draining grooves 5 and the mounting slot 6 extend. The slot 6 may be e.g. a double wall slot as shown in the figures, for mounting the curtain panels. The draining grooves 5 and the mounting slot 6 extend outside the profile element. A separate connector element 7 is further provided in the connection area, constituting an extension of the mounting slot 6 and of both draining grooves 5. The connector element 7 may be fitted to one of the connected profile elements 1, 2 by any known method (e.g. its endings being inserted into the draining groves of the profile element, as described in PL212133 ), so that its part extending beyond the profile element it has been fitted to overlaps to other of the connected profile elements.
Fig. 2a shows a detail of a sector of a preferred example of a gasket 8 or 8', in which a recess 9 has been formed so that a thin strap of material remains forming a bottom of the recess and ensuring continuity of the gasket. The recess may be formed e.g. by a cut off. As shown in fig. 3, the part of the connector element 7 extending beyond the end of the profile element it has been fitted to, is received in the recess 9 and it overlaps the other of the connected profile elements. The shape of the recess is adapted to the extending part of the connector element 7 so that a tight connection is formed between the bottom and side walls of the connector element 7 and the internal surface of the recess 9. As shown in fig. 2a, the thickness g of the gasket is measured from the wall 3 towards the outside of the element 1 or 2. In a preferred embodiment of the connection according to the invention, the connector element 7 completely fills the recess 9.
Fig. 2b shows the gasket 8 or 8' that has been cut through instead of having been recessed in order to enable reception of the extending part of the connector element 7. In such case a thin strap of an additional gasket may be placed under the extending part of the connector element 7.
Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of one of the profile elements 1, 2 with a theoretical plane P shown. The plane P comprises the lower surfaces of the mounting slot 6, the draining grooves 5 and the connector element 7 and it is parallel to a plane P' defined by external edges of the gasket mounting grooves 4 (see fig. 7). The plane P is offset in relation to the plane P' by a certain distance d towards the outside of the profile element. The distance d may be from about 0,5 mm to about 3 mm, preferably about 0,8 mm. The distance d enables extension of the draining grooves 5 so that the moisture or water collected therein may be drained into a respective draining groove 5 of the other of the connected profile elements. Also, the distance d makes it possible to place an additional gasket or the bottom wall of the recess 9 under the connector element 7.
Due to the specific configuration of the walls 3 of the profile elements and the connector element 7, a simple connection may be achieved having a simple configuration of the gaskets 8, 8" having the same thickness g and improved effectiveness when compared to the state of art systems. The gaskets 8 of one of the connected elements 1 contact the respective gaskets 8' of the other of the connected elements 2 over its whole thickness g which is very advantageous in terms of the sealing effectiveness. In order to further improve the sealing effectiveness the gaskets 8, 8' may be a bit longer (e.g. 3-4%) than the respective profile element so that they are pressed upon installation.
As clearly shown in fig. 5, the mutual contact of the gaskets 8 and 8' exists exclusively between their elastic material surfaces, while any contact, even a partial contact of the elastic material of the gasket with the stiff material of the element 1 or 2 is avoided. Such arrangement results in the improved tightness. In fig. 5 the theoretical plane P' is also shown, comprising the free sides of the gaskets 8 and 8'. An exceptional technological advantage of the connection according to the invention resides in that it makes use of the gaskets having identical thicknesses the outside walls of which lie in a common plane which in turn abuts the curtain panels mounted to the structure.
Fig. 6 shows an exemplary cross-section of a profile element having exemplary gaskets fixed in its grooves 4. In this embodiment, the gaskets consist of two parts 10, 11 made of the materials having different elasticity coefficients, e.g. of a traditional EPDM (10) and of a foamed EPDM (11). Obviously, other suitable materials known in the art may be used as well, and the gaskets may also be made of one material. The cross-sections of the gaskets 8 and 8' may be different but it is essential that they have the same thickness g as measured from the wall 3 towards the outside of the profile element.
In fig. 7, showing a cross-section of the profile element without gaskets, the mutual position of the planes P and P' and the distance d between them may be seen.
As may be appreciated from the schematic fig. 8, the arrangement of the gaskets and the two connected profile elements of the connection according to the invention is simple and "pure" which constitutes its great advantage and makes it superior to the other similar known prior art systems.
Figs. 9-12 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the connection according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Analogous elements of the connection according to both embodiments of the invention have been indicated by the same numerals. Both embodiment differ only in the configuration of their draining grooves, respectively 5 and 5' and the mounting slot respectively 6 and 13.
The perspective view of the connection according to the second embodiment of the invention, shown in fig. 9 is analogous to that of fig. 1. As may be seen in fig. 9, the second embodiment of the connection differs from the first embodiment in that the wall 3 comprises, apart from the gasket fixing grooves 4, just one draining groove 5'. A mounting bead 13 may be slidably received in the draining groove 5' for mounting e.g. the curtain panels, the bead 13 being however just an optional feature of this embodiment of the connection.
Fig. 10 shows, similarly to fig. 4, the position of the theoretical plane P in relation to the profile element according to the second embodiment of the invention, while figs. 11 and 12 show the cross-sections of the said profile element, respectively with and without the gaskets, indicating also the distance d and the gaskets 8 thicknesses g. The gaskets may be one or two-part, the same as in the connection according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Claims

A sealing system comprising a connection of two mutually perpendicular elements (1, 2) of a mullion-transom façade construction, said connection comprising means of first gaskets (8) extending along the elements (1) and second gaskets (8') extending along the elements (2), the elements (1, 2) being profile elements each having
at least one grooved side wall (3),
at least two gasket fixing grooves (4) projecting toward the inside of the profile element (1, 2) being formed in said at least one grooved side wall (3) and extending each along one of the longitudinal edges of the grooved side wall (3), and
one draining groove (5, 5'), or two draining grooves (5, 5') and a mounting slot (6), projecting on the outside of the profile element (1, 2) being formed in the grooved side wall (3), one draining groove (5, 5'), or the draining grooves (5, 5') and the mounting slot (6), being parallel to the gasket fixing grooves (4),
the cross-section of the wall (3) of each profile element (1, 2) being the same, and
a separate connector element (7) being provided in the area (C) of connection of the two mutually perpendicular elements (1, 2), constituting an extension of the draining groove (5, 5'), or of the mounting slot (6) and of both draining grooves (5, 5'), of one of the profile elements (1, 2) and overlapping the other of the profile elements (1, 2), wherein a first plane (P) comprising the underside surfaces of the draining groove (5, 5'), or of the mounting slot (6) and of both draining grooves (5, 5'), as well as of the connector element (7), is parallel to a second plane (P') defined by the external edges (12) of the gasket fixing grooves (4) and is offset in relation to said second plane (P') towards the outside of the profile element (1, 2) by a distance (d), wherein the first and second gaskets (8) and (8') fixed in the grooves (4) of the profile element (1) and the profile element (2), respectively, have the same thickness (g), the first gaskets (8) of one of the connected elements (1, 2) contacting the second gaskets (8') of the other of the connected elements (1, 2) over its whole thickness (g), characterized in that each gasket (8') fixed in the element (1, 2) which is not extended by the connector element (7) comprises a recess (9) in the connection area (C) ensuring continuity of said gasket (8'), the shape of the recess (9) enabling a water/moisture-tight contact of the underside surface and the side surfaces of the connector element (7) with the inner surface of the recess (9).
The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein said connection has just one draining groove (5') and is provided with a mounting bead (13) that is slidably received in the draining groove (5').
The sealing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elements (1, 2) have the same cross-sections.
The sealing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (d) is from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, preferably about 0.8 mm.
The sealing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gaskets (8, 8') of the respective elements (1, 2), contacting each other in the connection area, define with their free side walls a common plane (P') which is parallel to the plane (P).
The sealing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each gasket (8, 8') is made of a plastic material.
The sealing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each gasket (8, 8') comprises two parts (10, 11) permanently joined with each other and made of the materials having different elasticity coefficients.
The sealing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each gasket (8, 8') comprises a part (10) made of EPDM and a part (11) made of foamed EPDM.
The sealing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that first and second gaskets (8, 8') have identical cross-sections.
The sealing system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the part of the connector element (7) overlapping that element (1, 2) that is not extended by the connector element (7), completely fills the recess (9).