EP3767052A1

EP3767052A1 - Support assembly for glass panels and the like

Info

Publication number: EP3767052A1
Application number: EP20186601.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabrizio Amaducci
Original assignee: Fondazione di' Persona
Current assignee: Fondazione di' Persona
Priority date: 2019-07-17
Filing date: 2020-07-17
Publication date: 2021-01-20
Also published as: IT201900012015A1

Abstract

A support group (1) for glass panels, and the like, adapted to support a glass panel (P) at an opening (A) made in it, or at its perimeter edges, and configured for fastening said panel (P) to a support structure (S) to obtain a fall protection. The group (1) includes at least one screw (2), a fastening element (4) which allows to connect the threaded shank (3) of the screw (2) to a specific part of the structure (S), and at least one bushing (6), configured to engage inside said opening (A) of the glass panel (P), or to abut against a perimeter edge of said glass panel (P), provided with a central through hole (9) for insertion of the screw (2); the bushing (6) is made of polymeric material and comprises a cylindrical portion (7) and a disc-shaped portion (8) suitable to abut on the external surface, in use, of the glass panel (P).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a support group for glass panels, and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a group for supporting a glass panel in the context of fall protection systems such as balustrades, railings, and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Some types of railings, balustrades and other fall protection systems of structures such as stairs, balconies, mezzanines, landings, and the like, include glass panels. In these contexts, the use of glass panels is often preferred as they, in addition to guaranteeing the necessary protective anti-fall function, also allow to maintain a certain brightness of the rooms, or in any case to create the desired lighting conditions and diffusion of the light, in relation to the type of material used.
Currently, in some known construction solutions, to fix the glass panels to the parts of the aforementioned structures (for example, typically, to the sides of the steps of a staircase, but not only), support groups are used which exploit holes or openings provided in the panels themselves.
More in detail, such a support group usually comprises a threaded rod, or stud, which has a first end intended to engage in a reference hole provided in the structure (for example in the side of a step, or along the edge of the floor of a balcony, mezzanine, and the like) and a second end that fits into the hole, or opening, of the glass panel.
The threads of the first and second ends of the bar can be different (for example if the structure that must support the panel is made of wood, etc.).
Various elements are then screwed along this second end of the threaded bar which allow the panel to be positioned and locked at the correct distance from the structure.
More in detail, these elements normally include at least one spacer, which is positioned between the structure that supports the panel and the panel itself, and a bushing, passing through the opening of the panel.
A closing cap is then provided, opposed to the spacer with respect to the panel, engaged, in turn, in the nut screw of the bushing, which blocks the panel itself.
In known solutions, all the aforesaid elements of the support group are made of metallic material, for example stainless steel, or others.
The use of metallic components is usually preferred both for the mechanical and also for the aesthetic characteristics, which match well the appearance of the glass panel.
To prevent the glass panel from being damaged at the hole or support opening, gaskets are usually interposed between the aforementioned metal elements and the internal surface of the hole, for example in nylon or other material with suitable properties, which also allow eliminating any mechanical play between the panel and the metal elements themselves.
The use of metallic elements, although appreciated from an aesthetic point of view, is not considered fully satisfactory to date, especially due to the high cost of materials and also of the production processes necessary to obtain these elements. Furthermore, the need to use gaskets interposed between the glass surfaces and the metal elements (usually at least two gaskets, inserted on opposite sides with respect to the hole in the panel) affects costs considerably, both as regards the supply of components and as regards the warehouse.
Last but not least, it is noted that the assembly of the support group is quite laborious, given the number of components and the reciprocal connection methods.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The technical aim of the present invention is therefore to improve the state of the art in the field of support groups for glass panels and the like.
Within such technical aim, it is an object of the present invention to develop a support group for glass panels and the like, which allows to overcome the previously mentioned drawbacks.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a support group for glass panels and the like, characterized by lower production costs than known solutions.
A further object of the present invention is to make available a support group for glass panels and the like, which can be installed in a simpler way, and with lower costs and times, than known solutions.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a support group for glass panels, and the like, which allows to reduce the overall number of components.
Another object of the present invention is to develop a support group for glass panels and the like, which allows to eliminate the need to install gaskets for the protection of glass surfaces and for the recovery of mechanical play between the parts.
Another object of the present invention is to make available a support group for glass panels, and the like, of versatile use, even in different application situations. This aim and these objects are achieved by the support group for glass panels and the like, according to the attached claim 1.
The support group for glass panels, and the like, is suitable to support at least one glass panel at an opening made in it, or at one of its perimeter edges, and it is configured to fasten the panel to a support structure to obtain fall protection.
The group comprises at least one screw, a fastening element that allows the threaded shank of the screw to be connected to a specific part of the structure, and at least one bushing, configured to engage inside said opening of the glass panel, or to abut against the edge of at least one glass panel.
The bushing has a central through hole, for screw insertion.
The bushing is made of polymeric material, and it comprises a cylindrical portion and a disc-shaped portion, suitable to abut the external surface of the glass panel, in use.
The proposed solution, which uses a component (i.e. the bushing) in polymeric material, is definitely advantageous both from the costs point of view and of the ease of assembly point of view, as it simply requires to act on a single screw to lock the bushing.
Thanks to its conformation, the aforesaid bushing allows the glass panel to be blocked both at one of its holes and also at any of its perimeter edges.
The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention will be better understood by every man skilled in the art from the following description and the attached drawings tables, given as a nonlimiting example, in which:

Figure 1 is a detailed sectional side view of a support group according to the invention, installed at the step of a staircase;
Figure 2 is a sectional and detailed side view of a support group installed at the step of a staircase, in another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 is a sectional and detailed side view of a support group installed at the step of a staircase, in yet another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 4 is a sectional and detailed side view of a support group installed at a wall or plate of a protective structure, in a further embodiment of the invention;
Figure 5 is a front view of the bushing of the support assembly;
Figure 6 is a diametrical section of the bushing of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a side view of the bushing;
Figure 8 is an isometric view of the bushing;
Figure 9 is an isometric view of the bush from a different angle;
Figure 10 is a front view of the spacer of the support group, used in some embodiments of the invention;
Figure 11 is a diametrical section of the spacer of Figure 10;
Figure 12 is a side view of the spacer;
Figure 13 is an isometric view of the spacer;
Figure 14 is an isometric view of the spacer, from a different angle;
Figure 15 is a diametrical section of the bushing cap of the support group;
Figure 16 is a front view of the bushin cap of Figure 15;
Figure 17 is an isometric view of the same bushing cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the attached Figure 1, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a support group for glass panels and the like, according to the present invention.
The support group 1 according to the present invention is suitable to support a glass panel P at an opening A made in it, or at any of its perimeter edges.
In fact, it must be specified that the part indicated with the reference sign A in Figure 1 can be both the internal surface of a hole and the lateral surface of an edge of the glass panel P.
In the latter case, in the embodiment of Figure 1, the support group 1 is used to lock two adjacent glass panels P, with respective facing edges, even if the same support group 1 could be used to lock only one panel P, without limitations to the purposes of the present invention.
The glass panel P is to be installed preferably, but not exclusively, in a vertical or substantially vertical arrangement; however, any positions in which the plane of the panel P has a certain inclination with respect to the vertical plane are not excluded. The support assembly 1 comprises at least one screw 2.
Screw 2 includes a threaded shank 3.
Furthermore, the support group 1 comprises at least one fastening element 4, which allows the threaded shank 3 of the screw 2 to be connected to a specific part of the structure S in which it is necessary to make the anti-fall structure (for example balustrade, parapet, railing, or similar).
Such structure S may comprise, for example, a step G of a staircase, or the like.
In a typical application situation, in the structure S (for example in the side of the step G) there is a hole F, blind or through.
The fastening element 4 is configured in such a way as to firmly fix the screw 2 inside this hole F.
The fastening element 4 may include, for example, an expansion plug 4a, or the like, configured to expand due to the progressive screwing of the threaded shank 3 inside it.
The fastening element 4 can still be of any other type suitable for the application.
The screw 2 further comprises a head 5; the head 5 can be, for example, countersunk, for reasons of limitation of the overall dimensions.
The support group 1 further comprises a bushing 6.
The bushing 6 is configured to engage inside the opening A of the glass panel P, or to engage (and abut) at one of the edges of the panel P itself.
The bushing 6 (Figures 5-9) comprises a cylindrical portion 7 and a disc-shaped portion 8, with a larger diameter.
The disc-shaped portion 8 is suitable to abut on the external surface, in use, of the glass panel P.
The bushing 6 also comprises a central through hole 9, for inserting the screw 2. An edge 10 of the central through hole 9 (the one, in use, facing outwards, i.e. at the disc-shaped portion 8) defines a seat for the head 5 of the screw 2.
For example, this seat can be countersunk, to house the head 5 of the screw, having a corresponding shape.
The external surface of the cylindrical portion 7 of the bushing 6 comprises two opposite planar-parallel faces 11.
The planar-parallel faces 11 can be used to create an anti-rotation constraint of the bushing 6 inside the opening A of the glass panel P (in the event that this opening A also has a shape corresponding to the cross section of the cylindrical portion 7 of the bushing 6).
Furthermore, each of the aforementioned planar-parallel faces 11 can abut against a perimeter edge of a respective glass panel P.
The cylindrical portion 7 comprises a plurality of blind holes 12, with parallel axes, made in its own thickness.
For example, four blind holes 12 can be provided, angularly equidistant by 90° with respect to each other, at the base of the cylindrical portion 7, opposite to the disc-shaped portion 8.
The discoidal portion 8 comprises a shoulder 13; the shoulder 13 is turned, in use, outwards.
According to one aspect of the invention, the bushing 6 is made of polymeric material.
In an embodiment of the invention, the bushing 6 is made of nylon.
Thanks to this solution (and therefore thanks to the mechanical characteristics of the chosen material) it is not necessary to provide any gasket between the external surface of the bushing 6 and the internal surface of the opening A.
Furthermore, the manufacturing of the bushing 6 in polymeric material allows to considerably reduce the production costs, and it is very advantageous from the point of view of the weight.
The support assembly 1 also comprises a bushing cap 14, or boss (Figures 15-17). The bushing cap 14 has the function of covering the disc-shaped portion 8 of the bushing 6 from the outside, in order to obtain an aesthetically pleasing effect, hiding the head 5 of the screw 2 from view.
The bushing cap 14 comprises a lateral edge 15 which can engage in the shoulder 13 of the bushing 6, or in any case at the perimetral edge of the disc-shaped portion 8.
The bushing cap 14 can have any shape and size.
The bushing cap 14 can be made of metallic material for mainly aesthetic reasons (for example in stainless steel).
The support group 1, illustrated in the embodiment of Figure 1, is suitable for supporting a glass panel P intended to abut directly on the structure S which supports it (for example the step G of a staircase).
However, in other application situations, it is necessary to install and support the glass panel P at some distance from the structure S.
This need is solved, in particular, with the embodiments of the invention of Figures 2,3,4.
In the embodiment of Figure 2, the support group 1 differs from the previous one in that it comprises a spacer 16, configured to be inserted between the glass panel P and the structure S which supports it.
The spacer 16 (shown in detail in Figures 10-14) comprises a central channel 17 for the passage of the screw 2.
The spacer 16 comprises coupling means 18 to the bushing 6.
In particular, the coupling means 18 are suitable to provide an anti-rotation constraint between the bushing 6 and the spacer 16.
The coupling means 18 comprise a plurality of pins 18a which extend from one of the bases of the spacer 16, which can be engaged in the corresponding holes 12 of the bushing 6.
Therefore, for example, four pins 18a are provided which can be engaged in the corresponding four holes 12 of the bushing 6.
The spacer 16 can also comprise a plurality of lightening holes 19.
The lightening holes 19 are made in the base of the spacer 16, opposite to that in which the pins 18a are provided.
The spacer 16 can also comprise a groove 20, which runs along its side surface, to facilitate the insertion of the covering jacket 21, which may have a weld bead inside.
The spacer 16 is also made of polymeric material.
In one embodiment of the invention, the spacer 16 is made of nylon.
This solution considerably reduces production costs, and is also particularly advantageous from the point of view of weight.
The support group 1, in this embodiment, can also comprise a jacket 21 covering the spacer 16, to hide it from view and obtain a visual effect in harmony with the remaining parts of the group 1.
The covering jacket 21 can have, for example, a cylindrical tubular conformation. The covering jacket 21 can be made of metallic material.
For example, the covering jacket 21 can be made of stainless steel, like the bushing cap 14.
In this embodiment of the invention, given the presence of the spacer 16, the screw 2 is of greater length.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 3.
This embodiment differs from the previous one in that it comprises a screw 2 of greater length, to allow fastening the support group 1 to a structure S which comprises a step G of the staircase, associated with a lateral structure L (for example metal, or wood), through which the same screw passes 2.
Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 4.
This embodiment differs from the previous ones in that the fastening element 4 includes a bush 4b, configured to be screwed into the threaded shank 3 of the screw 2.
The bush 4b comprises a terminal portion 4c of larger diameter.
The terminal portion 4c is suitable to abut on a surface of the support structure S.
This solution is suitable for fastening the support group 1 to a structure S through a hole V through which the screw 2 passes.
The structure S is then clamped between the spacer 16 and the terminal portion 4c of the bush 4b.
The invention, thus conceived, allows to achieve important technical advantages.
A first important advantage concerns the reduction of the production costs of the support group 1, which is now largely made of polymeric material (for example nylon) instead of stainless steel.
Furthermore, a reduction in the number of group members is obtained, and this result also has a positive effect on production and also warehouse costs.
From the aesthetic point of view, the group still maintains an appearance similar to the known types of groups, since steel components are provided to cover the parts in polymeric material.
Another advantage concerns the assembly of the support group 1, which is now simpler and easier.
The configuration of the group is also very versatile, and it allows obtaining the bond of the glass panel to support structures of different types.
In fact, as clarified, the support group 1 according to the present invention can be used both to support a glass panel P at its opening or hole, or also at its perimeter edge: the same components advantageously allow to obtain both mounting solutions.
It has thus been seen how the invention achieves the intended aim and objects.
The present invention has been described according to preferred embodiments, but equivalent variants can be conceived without departing from the scope of protection offered by the following claims.

Claims

Support group (1) for glass panels, and the like, suitable to support a glass panel (P) at an opening (A) made in it, or at one of its perimeter edges, and configured to fasten said panel (P) to a support structure (S) to obtain a fall protection, comprising at least one screw (2), a fastening element (4) which allows to connect the threaded shank (3) of said screw (2) to a specific part of said structure (S), and at least one bushing (6), configured to engage inside said opening (A) of said glass panel (P), or to abut against a perimeter edge of said glass panel (P), provided with a central through hole (9) for inserting said screw (2), said bushing (6) being made of polymeric material and comprising a cylindrical portion (7) and a disc-shaped portion (8) suitable to abut on the external surface, in use, of said glass panel (P), characterized in that said cylindrical portion (7) comprises two opposite planar-parallel surfaces (11), configured to provide an anti-rotation constraint of said bushing (6) inside said opening (A) of said glass panel (P), or to abut against a respective perimeter edge of said glass panel (P).
Support group (1) according to claim 1, in which an edge (10) of said central through hole (9), provided at said disc-shaped portion (8), defines a seat for the abutment of the head (5) of said screw (2).
Support unit (1) according to claim 2, in which said seat is countersunk, to house said head (5) of said screw (2), of corresponding shape.
Support unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a bushing cap (14) made of metallic material, suitable for covering said disc-shaped portion (8) of said bushing (6).
Support group (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one spacer (16), configured to be inserted between the glass panel (P) and the structure (S) which supports it.
Support group (1) according to the preceding claim, in which said spacer (16) is made of polymeric material.
Support group (1) according to one of claims 5,6, wherein said spacer (16) comprises a central channel (17) of said screw (2), and coupling means (18), of the anti- rotation type, to said bushing (6).
Support group (1) according to claim 7, wherein said coupling means (18) comprise a plurality of pins (18a) which extend from one of the bases of said spacer (16), configured to engage in respective holes (12) of said bushing (6), provided in the base of said cylindrical portion (7).
Support unit (1) according to claim 8, comprising a jacket (21) for covering said spacer (16), made of metallic material and having a cylindrical tubular shape.
Support group (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said fastening element (4) comprises an expansion plug (4a) configured to expand due to the progressive screwing of said threaded shank (3) inside it.
Support group (1) according to one of claims 1-10, wherein said fastening element (4) comprises a bush (4b), configured to be screwed into the threaded shank (3) of said screw (2), said bush (4b) comprising a terminal portion (4c) suitable to abut on a surface of the support structure (S) of the glass panel (P).