EP3049586B1

EP3049586B1 - Joint system

Info

Publication number: EP3049586B1
Application number: EP14783535.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karsten Bro
Original assignee: Connovate ApS
Current assignee: Connovate ApS
Priority date: 2013-09-27
Filing date: 2014-09-26
Publication date: 2017-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-26
Also published as: DK3049586T3; WO2015043605A1; EP3049586A1; GB201317154D0

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a joint system as well as a method of using such a joint system.

Background of the Invention

It is customary to provide joint fillers between building components such as concrete panels, expansion joints in masonry, between window frames and the surrounding building parts etc.
Traditionally such joints are created by arranging a joint back stop, often in the form of a flexible soft foam material, expanded polystyrene or other suitable materials. Thereafter an exterior part of the joint is established, typically by placing a silicone based flexible joint material between the building components and the back stop, creating an efficient shield against the ingress of water, while maintaining enough flexibility to allow the building components to move relative to each other due to expansion/contraction when exposed to temperature differences, moisture etc.
These types of joints are commonly used in modern building industry, but do comprise a number of drawbacks, which the present invention alleviates.
One such drawback is the fact that the joint material deteriorates over time chemically but also physically due to climate exposure (sun, rain, frost/thaw etc.). Over time the joint stiffens and loses its ability to provide/allow movement of adjacent building components often resulting in joint failure i.e. it releases one or both building components and opens up for ingress of water, insects etc. It is therefore normal routine to replace the joints every 10 years and in some instances every 20 years.
A further drawback is the cumbersome, slow and expensive installation of these types of joints. Although the joint back stop may be inserted relatively easy applying the flexible joint material is often a challenge. The building parts to which the sealant/joint filler is to be applied need to be clean and dust-free in order to ensure adhesion. This aspect consequently requires a cleaning step. For some sealants and for certain materials it is necessary to apply a primer prior to applying the joint filler/sealant. Once the joint filler is in place the surface needs to be worked smooth in order to provide an aesthetic acceptable surface, and to ensure good adhesion to the sides of the building components. This entire process is very time-consuming and demanding.
Furthermore, the known sealants used as joint fillers may only be applied when the surfaces are dry and the temperature above 6°C, severely limiting the season for finishing work in some parts of the world.
Rigid joint-filler systems have also been proposed. One example is disclosed in KR100948118 . In this system the joint construction is double. Initially a sealing connecting member is connected to the underlying construction and the sides facing the interior of the joint. After this is arranged steel profiles, providing decoration are inserted in the joint, covering the underlying sealing connecting member. This system is rather time consuming to install, and requires that the installation process is carried out very carefully in order to install the sealing connecting member in a manner where the sealing is effective. Furthermore the system is relatively sensitive to tolerances as many parts have to be fitted in order for the system to be installed properly and fulfil its function.
A further rigid sealing system is proposed in US 2103152 where the system comprises two half profiles. Each half is mechanically fastened on opposing sides of the joint to be protected, and during installation the two halves are brought to overlap. During assembly is installed a sealing member between the two half profiles in the zone where they overlap, in order to render the joint watertight. This system must be installed during building erection. Furthermore replacement of for example the sealing member, which over time will need replacement, is very difficult due to the integrated structure of the sealing system. As the sealing strip and mutual movement of the two halves will be different depending on the placement etc., it is likely that failure in the moisture tightness will remain undetected for a period of time, allowing deterioration of the building components behind the sealing system Document GB 1 175 745 A1 discloses all the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Object of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved joint filling system and a method for easily and fast installing such a joint without restrictions to climate etc.

Description of the Invention

The invention consequently provides a joint system having the features of claim 1. Although the prior art joints using a silicone based sealant are substantially watertight and even to a certain extent also gas proof, this is not a requirement for exterior joints in buildings. In many instances it may even be an advantage to have a joint which does not allow water to ingress into the construction, but which will allow for a degree of ventilation. Consequently, the present invention does not provide a moisture and gas proof sealing, but provides a joint which will keep water and to a large extent also moisture out of the construction, but will allow a degree of ventilation.
In use, as will be evident from the method of installing the profiles, the profiles will be slightly compressed, i.e. the angle of the V will be sharper/shallower. In this compressed state they are introduced into the joint opening. As the profiles are made from a resilient metal they are able to bounce back towards the original shape/angle. Typically the joint profiles are selected having a dimension in uncompressed condition larger than the joint opening into which it is desirable to install the joint profile. Consequently, when the joint profile is introduced into the joint opening and released, the sides of the profile will bounce back towards the original shape. In this process the bent edges will enter grooves provided in the building components where the joint is to be installed. When the profile has expanded in the joint and the edges are biased towards the building components, the joint is installed.
The metal or metal alloy, for example zinc, copper, stainless steel spring steel or other materials having similar resilient and low or non-corrosive characteristics, will ensure a substantially longer effective service life than prior art constructions. At the same time the side edges' engagement in the building components provides for a simple, fast and extremely reliable installation, with a minimum of risk for any error during installation.
As it is a purely mechanical procedure it may be carried out during any season and under any weather conditions, even rain and/or at sub-zero temperatures, where traditional sealants are useless.
It is foreseen that the profiles are manufactured in a manner such that the resiliency of the profiles allows for the compression during installation, and enough resiliency to be firmly engaged in the grooves in the building components ensuring a secure installation. Furthermore, the profiles shall allow relative movement between adjacent building components.
Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.
The second profile being provided with one side being longer than the other side, i.e. one side extends further from the bottom of the V than the other, is usually used for horizontal joints, where the longer side is used in the bottom of the joint to guide water away from the joint and out onto the surface of the building component.
In a further advantageous embodiment the joint system further comprises first and/or second profile end sections, where said first and/or second profile end sections has a general cross section similar to the first profile respectively, and where at least in one end of the profile first and second flange sections are provided where said first and second flange sections are substantially perpendicular to the sides of the profile, and where the first and second flange sections at least partly overlap each other, and further where the extent of the flanges is from the bottom of the V to the bent side portions.
These end sections may be inserted into the first and second profiles respectively near the end of the profile in order to provide a barrier against water flowing out of the profile at the ends. In use the profiles will be mounted as described above, whereby the lower side of the V will have a slant, leading the water out of the joint. The end sections consequently do not allow water to have access to the vertical joints.
In a still further embodiment the joint system further comprises a wind protector shield provided adjacent either said first or second flange section, where said wind protector shield comprises a bendable central section connected to two flanges, which flanges are adapted to be in contact with the sides of the V of the first profile end section.
This wind shield protector is used in positions where a substantial wind pressure may be present and thereby otherwise force water into the building structure. The bent central section allows the protector shield to deform with the first profile as this profile is compressed and inserted into the joint.
In some types of constructions there is enough room in the intersections between building components, for example in corners and the like such that where the joints intersect i.e. horizontally and vertically, the upper side in the second profile may be provided with a cut out section corresponding to the shape of the first profile. When assembled in the intersection, the first vertical profile is inserted into the cut out in the second profile, providing a completely watertight connection.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the system is complemented by a third profile, said third profile having a length and being bent into a general L-shape along a bending line parallel to the length direction, such that two flanges are arranged at an angle, where a free side parallel to the bending line of one flange is bent in an acute angle relative to said flange, and that a central portion of the profile orthogonal to the bending line between the two flanges is flexible, allowing the third profile to adapt to length differences in a direction parallel to the bending line between the two flanges.
This third profile especially finds use as an extra or alternative watertight measure in positions where vertical and horizontal joints intersect. Furthermore a particular use is in joints between concrete or concrete-like elements of the so-called heel and toe type. These well-known elements shapes have in the bottom part a foremost part of the elements thickness which extends further down called the "toe", and along an upper side a rearmost part which extends upwards, called the "heel", such that when the elements are mounted in a plane on top of each other the toe will extend downwards and partly cover the heel.
The third profile will be arranged such that a flange will be fastened against a substantially horizontal part of the building sections/elements substantially horizontal section in front of the heel (upper side in use) and the corresponding surface on an adjacent element, such that the flexible part is superposed the vertical joint between the two adjacent elements. This will allow the elements to move independently as the flexible zone will expand and retract, without allowing water past the profile.
In some embodiments the flexible central part, will in fact be a polymer material sheet onto which the ridged sections of the profile are mounted to the concrete sections, such that in a further advantageous embodiment the central portion is made from a polymer or rubber based material said material being either joined to the flanges or said material in use being arranged between the flanges and the underlying construction.
It is preferred that the profiles are made from stainless spring steel, said steel having a material thickness from 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, more preferred 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm.
The third profile may however also be made from polymer based materials.
The invention is also directed to a method as set out in the claims and as below where the method of using a joint system as described above is used in a building structure in joints between adjoining building sections, said building sections having a front surface and side faces arranged along the periphery of the front surface, said side faces extending away from the front surface, and where at least one of the side faces is provided with at least one groove a certain predefined distance away from the front surface and where the first profile during installation between two building sections is slightly compressed by urging opposing free edges towards each other, where the bent side edges are allowed to engage and be inserted into the groove provided in the side face.
Further method steps and variants include:

the first profile is arranged in substantially vertical joints and the second profile is arranged in substantially horizontal joints, and where first profile end sections optionally are arranged inside the first profile in a similar manner as the placing of the first profile, where the flanges of the first profile end sections engage the edges of the second profiles, and where the compression of the end sections causes the flanges to overlap and/or
two or more parallel groves are arranged in each vertical side face of mutually facing side surfaces of adjacent building sections, and where two first profiles are arranged in the joint, one in each set of parallel grooves and/or
the third joint profile is arranged on two adjacent building sections in a horizontal joint bridging the vertical joint between said two adjacent building sections joint, such that the flexible section is superposed the joint.

Description of the Drawing

The joint system as described above will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein

Fig. 1a-c: illustrate a first profile;
Fig. 2a-c: illustrate a second profile;
Fig. 3a-c: illustrate a specialized profile of the system;
Fig. 4: illustrates details of a joint according to the system;
Fig. 5: illustrates a cross-section through a variant of a vertical joint;
Fig. 6: illustrates an isometric view of a third-profile in its built in state.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order to fully understand the concept, the description will describe some of the most important profiles separately and thereafter describe how they are built into a construction in order to provide a joint system providing the advantages discussed above.
As already discussed above the system comprises a number of distinct profiles which together provide a complete joint system. The joint system comprises a first profile 10 as depicted in figures 1a and 1b. In figure 1a is illustrated an isometric view of a length of a first profile whereas figure 1b illustrates a cross section of the same profile. Starting with figure 1b the cross section of the profile 10 has a general V-shape such that the profile comprises two sides 11, 12 having substantially the same length from the bottom 13 of the V. At the distal, free edges the side edges are bent away from the other side creating the bent sections 14, 15.
In figure 1c is illustrated a special end detail of the first profile depicted in figures 1a and 1b. In this end section 16 of the first profile, first and second flange sections 17, 18 are provided. The flange sections 17, 18 are bent such that the flange sections are substantially perpendicular to the sides of the profile 10 and in some embodiments the flange sections will, when the profile 10 is installed in a joint and slightly compressed partly overlap each other in order to hinder water being blown upwards.
Due to the relatively thin material thickness from which the profiles are made, i.e. typically material thicknesses in the range of 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, it is possible to interfit the end section profile 16 depicted in figure 1c in the first profile 10 as depicted in figure 1a such that a substantially continuous joint profile is provided.
Turning to figures 2a-2c the second profile 20 is illustrated. In figure 2a is illustrated an isometric view of two profiles and in figure 2b is a cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the profiles depicted in figure 2a and in figure 2c is depicted an end section 26 corresponding to the end section 16 depicted in figure 1c with respect to the first profile.
The second profile 20 is also provided with two sides 21, 22 which are arranged in a general V-shape as is clear from the cross-section in figure 2b. Furthermore, the free edges of the sides 21, 22 are bent away from the other side creating bent side portions 24, 25. Noticeable for the second profile 20 is that one side 22 is longer than the other side 21, i.e. measured from the bottom of the V 23. The bent side portions 24, 25 are also different. Where, for the first profile they were substantially the same making it possible not to turn the profile the wrong way when inserting the first profile, the second profile is provide with different bent side portions 24, 25 in this embodiment. This is due to the fact that when installing the second profile 20, this is normally done in horizontal joints, and as such the bent side portion 25 will be the lowermost in the joint and is adapted to fit along an outer edge of an element on which the second profile 20 is mounted. The lower side and bent side portion 25 is designed to drain water from the joint onto the façade.
As was the case with the first profile 10, the second profile 20 is also provided with a special end section 26 having flanges 27, 28 bent substantially orthogonal to the sides 21, 22 such that the flanges 27, 28 in use may overlap and thereby hinder the movement of water inside the joint profile 20.
With reference to figure 3 is illustrated a special profile specifically developed to be introduced into joints 30 between window profiles 31 and wall constructions 32. The special profile 33 is in the particular embodiment depicted in figures 3b and 3c also in a general V-shape as is evident from the cross-section illustrated in figure 3c and has sides 34, 35 of varying length from the bottom of the V, 36. Depending on the window profile 31 and the position of the window profile 31 with relation to the wall structure 32 and particularly the façade surface 100 the profile 33 may be adapted likewise by providing the sides 34, 35 having appropriate lengths. In this particular embodiment depicted in figures 3a - 3c the side 35 is provided with a bent side portion 37 corresponding to the bent side portions 14, 15, 24 of the first and second profile.
This bent side portion 37 is suitable to be inserted into a groove 101 as illustrated in figure 3a. The groove 101 is provided on a side face 102 of the wall construction 32. The other side 34 will, when mounted as illustrated in figure 3a be urged/biased against the window profile 31, and in this manner create a substantially moisture-/waterproof joint between the window profile 31 and the wall construction 30. In this example the profile 33 is arranged between a window profile 31 and a wall construction 32, but the window could as well be any other construction such as for example a door frame and the like.
Turning to figure 4 a joint between 4 building sections 110-110"' is illustrated. In the horizontal joint 103 is arranged a second profile 20 as described with reference to figures 2a - 2c. In what has become the upper side 21 of the second profile 20 is provided a cut-out section such that the first profile 10 inserted in the vertical joint 104 may be brought into contact with the lower side 22 of the second profile 20. In this manner water, for example stemming from rain being caught by the first profile 10, will flow downwards in the profile 10 and be delivered on the lower side 22 of the second profile 20 which will urge/drain the water onto the façade 110", 110'" of the construction.
In figure 6 is illustrated a different solution to the same construction. In this embodiment a third profile 40 is used. This construction is furthermore particular in that it is a so-called heel and toe element construction where each building section 110, 110", 110"' (110' has been removed in order to be able to visualize the joint construction), where each element is provided with a heel 111 and a toe 112 such that as the building sections 110, 110" are mounted as illustrated, the toe 112 will cover or at least overlap the heel 111 of the underlying building section 110". In this manner the heel and toe 111, 112 arrangement will provide a substantial protection for the construction behind generally referred to as 115.
In this particular embodiment the third profile 40 comprises three parts 41, 42, 43. The two parts 41, 42 are generally L-shaped and are mechanically fastened by means of a bolt 44 to the building section 110. The other part of the L is parallel to the upstanding section of the heel and is provided with a bent section 45 which in use will be urged against the toe part 112 of the building section. The two L-shaped parts 41, 42 are substantially identical and are mounted on top of a flexible profile 43 such that the profiles 41, 42 will mechanically hold the flexible profile 43 against the building sections 110" and 110'". The profiles 41, 42 are arranged at a distance such that the flexible profile 43 will be able to move and follow the joint's movements without breakage.
In this manner a completely watertight joint detail is provided. It is also foreseen that the third profile 40 may be a one-piece construction where a flexible section is provided between the two sections 41, 42 in order to allow movement of the joint without breaking the third profile 40. In some embodiments the third profile may be made from a plastic material such that the resiliency of the plastic may be used for the flexible central zone, or where the third profile 40 is made from for example stainless spring-steel which is the preferred material for the profiles according to the invention, spring-steel may be bent into a harmonica-shape in the central section in order to be able to absorb the movements of the joints.
Turning back to figure 5 a horizontal cross-section through the joint in figure 6 is illustrated, where two adjacent building sections 110", 110'" are provided with a joint system according to the present invention. In this embodiment two first profiles 20, 20' are arranged in two sets of grooves 101, 101' provided in the adjacent building sections 110", 110"'. In this manner in a very simple construction a very reliable and waterproof joint is provided. In the space 220 between the two profiles 20, 20' is a different air-pressure than in front of the building sections 110", 110'" such that even though the wind should force water past the first profile 20', the low air-pressure in the space 220 will cause the second profile 20 to be completely moisture-tight and thereby hinder that any water penetrates into the building construction behind the joint and the building sections 110" and 110'".

Claims

A joint system comprising a number of distinct profiles (10,16,20,26,30,40) which together provide a complete joint system where said profiles are made from a resilient metal or metal alloy, and where said system at least comprises:
- a first profile (10) having two sides (11,12) and where the first profile (10) has a cross section in the general shape of a V, the sides (11,12) of said first profile having substantially the same length from the bottom (13) of the V and where the distal free edges of the sides are bent away from the other side, creating bent side portions (14,15);

- a second profile (20) said second profile (20) having two sides (21,22) where said second profile (20) has a cross section in the general shape of a V, and where the distal edges of the profile are bent away from the other side, creating bent side portions (24,25); characterized in that
one leg (22) of the V of said second profile (20) is longer than the other leg (21).
The joint system according to claim 1 further comprising first and/or second profile end sections (16,26), where said first and/or second profile end sections (16,26) have a general cross section similar to the first and/or second profile (10,20), and where at least in one end of the profile first and second flange sections (17,18,27,28) are provided where said first and second flange sections (17,18,27,28) are substantially perpendicular to the sides of the profile (16,26), and where the first and second flange sections (17,18,27,28) at least partly overlap each other, and further where the extent of the flanges (17,18,27,28) is from the bottom (13,23) of the V to the bent side portions (14,15,24,25).
The joint system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein a wind protector shield is provided adjacent either said first or second flange section, where said wind protector shield comprises a bendable central section connected to two flanges, which flanges are adapted to be in contact with the sides of the V of the first profile end section.
The joint system according to claim 1 further comprising a second profile end section, where said second profile end section has a general cross section similar to said second profile (20), and where adjacent at least one end of said profile tapered flanges are provided, where each side of the V is provided with a flange.
The joint system according to any preceding claim wherein the distance between two side edges is between 10 and 50 mm more preferred between 15 and 40 mm.
The joint system according to claim 1 further comprising a third profile (33), said third profile (33) having a length and being bent into a general L-shape along a bending line parallel to the length direction, such that two flanges (34,35) are arranged at an angle, where a free side (37) parallel to the bending line of one flange (35) is bent in an acute angle relative to said flange (35), and that a central portion of the profile orthogonal to the bending line between the two flanges is flexible, allowing the third profile (33) to adapt to length differences in a direction parallel to the bending line between the two flanges (34,35).
The joint system according to claim 6 wherein the central portion is made from a polymer or rubber based material said material being either joined to the flanges or said material in use being arranged between the flanges and the underlying construction.
The joint system according to any preceding claim wherein the profiles are made from stainless spring steel, said steel having a material thickness from 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, more preferred 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm.
Method of using a joint system according to any of claims 1 to 8, in a building structure in joints between adjoining building sections, said building sections having a front surface and side faces arranged along the periphery of the front surface, said side faces extending away from the front surface, and where at least one of the side faces is provided with at least one groove a certain predefined distance away from the front surface and where the first profile (10) during installation between two building sections is slightly compressed by urging opposing free edges towards each other, where the bent side edges (14,15) are allowed to engage and be inserted into the groove (101,101') provided in the side face.
Method according to claim 9 wherein the first profile (10) is arranged in substantially vertical joints and the second profile (20) is arranged in substantially horizontal joints, and where first profile end sections (10) optionally are arranged inside the first profile (10) in a similar manner as the placing of the first profile (10), where the flanges of the first profile end sections engage the edges of the second profiles (20), and where the compression of the end sections causes the flanges to overlap.
Method according to claim 9 or 10, where two or more parallel groves (101,101') are arranged in each vertical side face of mutually facing side surfaces of adjacent building sections (110"'), and where two first profiles (10) are arranged in the joint (220), one in each set of parallel grooves (101,101').
Method according to any of claims 9 to 11 where the third joint profile (33) is arranged on two adjacent building sections in a horizontal joint bridging the vertical joint between said two adjacent building sections joint, such that the flexible section is superposed the joint.