EP4638903A1

EP4638903A1 - Glass clamp suitable for securing a fire-resistant glass window

Info

Publication number: EP4638903A1
Application number: EP23837781.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dominiek CALLEWIER; Brecht LAMOTE
Original assignee: Avc Gemino BV
Current assignee: Avc Gemino BV
Priority date: 2022-12-22
Filing date: 2023-12-18
Publication date: 2025-10-29
Also published as: BE1031175A1; BE1031175B1; WO2024134448A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a glass clamp (1) intended for securing a glass panel (2) of a fire-resistant glass window, comprising a base body with a bottom surface (3) having a front edge (4) and a rear edge (5), which bottom surface (3) is configured to be attached to a base, wherein said glass clamp (1) comprises a pressure lip (6) which adjoins the rear edge (5) and extends at right angles to the bottom surface (3), and that the bottom surface (3) furthermore comprises an opening (7) in the form of an elongate slot which extends between the front edge (4) and the rear edge (5) of the bottom surface (3) and which is suitable for receiving an attachment means to attach the glass clamp (1) to a base.

Description

GLASS CLAMP SUITABLE FOR SECURING A FIRE-RESISTANT GLASS WINDOW

The present invention relates, on the one hand, to a glass clamp for securing a glass panel. The glass clamp has been developed, in particular, for fire-resistant glass windows or glass panels in which the glass clamp is intended for securing (clamping) fire-resistant glass in a frameless application. The glass clamp according to the invention is, in particular, attached to the same floor surface as the floor surface on which the glass panel to be secured rests. On the other hand, the present invention relates to a system for installing a frameless fire-resistant glass window.

According to the requirements of the building regulations which buildings have to satisfy, fire-resistant windows which are intended to be installed in vertical elements which divide a building must be designed and produced in such a way that, in case of fire, these prevent fire from developing; prevent the fire and the smoke in the building from spreading to other spaces and zones; prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings and make it possible for users to be evacuated by limiting the level of thermal radiation.

As described in EP 3 450 670 Al, the fire-resistant windows are often composed of two spaced-apart tempered glass panels, wherein the intermediate space is preferably filled with a colourless hydrogel. The thickness of the hydrogel layer will determine the fire resistance class. Optionally, the fire-resistant windows are provided with a border made from aluminium or steel. However, the present invention relates to a frameless system, which is also indicated for fire-resistant applications, because the metal frame forms a heat bridge during a fire.

In practice, use is often made of so-called glass clamps which are attached to a base in a line and at regular intervals apart (approximately every 400 mm) in order to install frameless fire-resistant glass windows in a fire-resistant manner. The known glass clamp comprises a plate-shaped metal attachment part provided with two foldable lips. The glass clamps are attached to a base by their attachment part. Subsequently, the fire-resistant glass window is placed on the attachment parts in such a way that a foldable lip is provided on the front side and the rear side of the fitted window. These lips are subsequently folded over at an angle of approximately 90° until they press against the glass panel, in order thus to secure the window. However, metal has a tendency to return to its original geometry, as a result of which the foldable lips will partly fold back with the passage of time. As a result thereof, the glass panel will no longer be securely clamped. An additional drawback is the fact that the width of the attachment part has to be adapted to the thickness of the glass window. As standard, the thickness of glass windows varies between 20 mm and 80 mm, so that different types of glass clamps have to be kept in stock.

Another drawback of the existing glass clamps becomes apparent during attachment thereof to a base, where it is important that the glass clamps are accurately positioned in a line, which cannot always be achieved in the case of relatively long lengths. In addition, a fitted glass clamp will extend under the glass window, as a consequence of which this will form a heat bridge during a fire, which may, in case of fire, lead to heat penetration via the bottom side of the glass window, in particular via the glass clamp fitted under the glass window. The following publications all describe glass clamps which extend under the glass window: GB 504 420 A, CN 106 223 814 A, GB 2 291 102 A and EP 2 270 306 Al.

It is now an object of the present invention to provide a glass clamp for securing a glass panel, preferably a fire-resistant glass panel without a frame, which makes it possible to secure the glass panel in a simple and efficient manner, irrespective of the thickness of the glass panel and without the risk of the glass clamp forming a heat bridge during a fire.

The object of the invention is achieved by providing a glass clamp intended for securing a glass panel, comprising a base body with a bottom surface having a front edge and a rear edge, which bottom surface is configured to be attached to a base, wherein said glass clamp comprises a pressure lip which adjoins the rear edge with an inner surface and an outer surface, which pressure lip extends at right angles to the bottom surface and wherein the bottom surface furthermore comprises an opening in the form of an elongate slot which extends between the front edge and the rear edge of the bottom surface and which is suitable for receiving an attachment means to attach the glass clamp to a base, wherein, in the fitted position of the glass clamp, only the outer surface of the pressure lip forms a contact surface with the glass panel to be attached. More particularly, the glass clamp is configured in such a way that, in the fitted position of the glass clamp, only the outer surface of the pressure lip forms a contact surface with the glass panel to be attached. Due to the fact that in the fitted position - when the glass clamp has to support or secure a glass panel - only the outer surface of the pressure lip is in contact with the glass panel to be secured, there is also no risk of heat penetration in case of fire.

The pressure lip is preferably a flat, preferably rectangular body which has a certain thickness, preferably a thickness of between 0.6 mm and 0.8 mm. The outer surface of the pressure lip is situated on the outer side of the glass clamp, while the inner surface of the pressure lip is the surface which faces the inner side of the glass clamp.

In a preferred embodiment of the glass clamp according to the present invention, this glass clamp is configured in such a way that, in the fitted position, it does not extend under the glass panel which is secured by the glass clamp, as a result of which no heat penetration is possible via the bottom side of the glass panel during a fire. The glass clamp is preferably fitted directly onto a supporting structure, such as for example a floor construction. The glass panel to be secured by the glass clamp is also installed directly on the same supporting structure, such as for example a floor structure.

The attachment means used are preferably screws and preferably comprise a cylindrical shaft with a longitudinal axis, around which, in a preferred embodiment, at least one spiral-shaped screw thread extends, and a screw head which extends at right angles to the longitudinal axis.

Such a glass clamp offers the advantage that the glass clamp can still be moved in the direction of the glass panel to be secured or clamped once the attachment means has been fitted in the slot, until the former presses perfectly against the glass panel by its pressure lip. The glass clamps according to the invention serve in particular to fix a glass panel which forms part of a fire-resistant window composed of at least two spaced-apart, preferably tempered, glass panels, wherein the intermediate space is preferably filled with a colourless hydrogel. Preferably, the glass clamps according to the invention are installed on both sides (front side and rear side) of said fire-resistant window. Such glass clamps can be preassembled perfectly. In practice, the glass clamps are installed by means of a laser. Due to the presence of the slot which allows a small displacement of the glass clamp, any installation errors can be compensated for, in particular when, for example, the various glass clamps have not been installed accurately in line with one another, or when there are uneven structures in the base.

In a preferred embodiment of the glass clamp according to the invention, the glass clamp furthermore comprises a first and a second attachment lip which extend at right angles to the bottom surface and to which a cover profile is attachable, wherein said attachment lips extend parallel to each other and parallel to the pressure lip, wherein the first attachment lip adjoins the front edge of the bottom surface. In use, a cover profile is fitted onto the existing glass clamps at the front side and the rear side once a glass window has been installed, and the pressure lips of various glass clamps press against the glass panels of the installed glass window. On the one hand, this offers the advantage that the glass clamps are no longer visible. On the other hand, this cover profile will, together with the attachment lips, contribute to an improved clamping action and provide additional reinforcement. The presence of the cover profiles also gives the impression of a frame without there being a connection between the two sides of the window.

In order to prevent the cover profile from becoming detached, the second attachment lip, in a preferred embodiment, comprises a detaining element which is configured to prevent a cover profile from becoming detached.

In a more preferred embodiment of the glass clamp according to the invention, said opening comprises an elongate part with a first width and a receiving part which adjoins the elongate part and has a second width which is greater than the first width. Preferably, the receiving part is suitable for receiving the head of a screw. The width of the elongate part is chosen such that its width is smaller than the diameter of the screw with which the glass clamp is attached to a base. A glass clamp designed in this way and having such an opening offers the advantage that the attachment means, in particular screws, can be placed in a line and at regular intervals apart beforehand, in order to subsequently fit the glass clamps, for example after installation of the fire- resistant window, by fitting the receiving part of the glass clamp over the head of the attachment means and by then moving the glass clamp in the direction of the glass panel of the fire-resistant window, so that the cylindrical shaft of the attachment means is situated in the elongate part.

Preferably, the angle which the centre axis of the elongate part makes with the front edge of the bottom surface is between 5° and 40°. Due to the fact that the elongate part extends at an angle, the glass clamp can slide along the glass panel until it is in the correct position and this in such a manner that the pressure lip remains in contact with the glass panel along its entire length. If the opening, in particular the elongate part, were to extend perpendicularly, there would be a risk of torsion of the glass clamp when fixing the latter.

According to a particular embodiment of the glass clamp according to the invention, the glass clamp is formed from a single piece of sheet metal. The sheet metal preferably has a thickness of between 0.6 and 0.8 mm, a maximum length of 65.5 mm and a maximum width of 57.5 mm. The required openings and folding lines are provided by means of piercing and punching, following which the sheet metal is folded to the desired shape by means of a folding bench.

In a more particular embodiment of the glass clamp according to the invention, said glass clamp is intended for securing a frameless fire-resistant glass window comprising at least two tempered glass panels which are placed a distance apart and between which a fire-resistant material is provided. Preferably, this is a hydrogel. In an alternative embodiment, the intermediate space between said panels is filled with air or an inert gas.

The present invention furthermore relates to a system for installing a frameless fire- resistant glass window comprising at least two tempered glass panels which have been placed a distance apart and between which a fire-resistant material, preferably a gellike material, is provided, wherein said system comprises a number of the abovedescribed glass clamps according to the invention and a number of attachment means which are configured to attach the glass clamps to a base. Said attachment means are preferably screws. The attachment means are preferably placed in a straight line and at regular intervals apart, following which the glass clamps are placed on top thereof. In the following detailed description of a possible exemplary embodiment of a glass clamp according to the present invention, the abovementioned characterizing features and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail. The sole aim of this description is to explain the general principles of the present invention. This description can therefore by no means be interpreted as a limitation of the invention or of its area of application.

In this description, reference numerals are used to refer to the attached figures, in which:

Figs. 1 and 2: show a perspective view of a glass clamp according to the present invention;

Fig. 3: shows a top view of the piece of sheet material in the unfolded state, provided with folding lines and punched-out parts, and which can be folded over to form a glass clamp according to the invention;

Fig. 4: shows a diagrammatic view of a glass panel which is securely clamped on its front side by means of the glass clamp according to the invention, and wherein a cover profde is fitted to the glass clamp for reinforcement and to hide the glass clamp from view.

The glass clamp (1) according to the present invention and as illustrated in the attached Figs. 1 and 2 was developed to secure or clamp a glass panel (2) which forms part of a frameless fire-resistant glass window. The respective fire-resistant windows may be composed of a single glass panel (2) of a certain thickness (16 - 33 mm), but are often composed of two spaced-apart tempered glass panels (2), in which the intermediate space is preferably filled with a colourless hydrogel or an inert gas.

The glass clamp (1) comprises a base body with a bottom surface (3) having a front edge (4) and a rear edge (5) which is configured to be attached to a base by means of a suitable attachment means. In practice, use is made of screws or similar attachment means in order to attach the glass clamp (1) to a base. Screws are made up of a cylindrical shaft with a longitudinal axis around which one or more spiral-shaped screw threads extend, and a screw head which extends at right angles to the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the glass clamp (1) according to the invention comprises a pressure lip (6) which adjoins the rear edge (5) of the bottom surface (3) and extends at right angles to the bottom surface (3). The respective pressure lip is preferably configured as a rectangular body and has an inner surface (14) and an outer surface (15). As is clear from Fig. 4, this pressure lip (6) will, in the fitted position, only bear against (press against) the glass panel (2) by its outer surface (15). In this way, said outer surface (15), in use, forms the only contact surface of the glass clamp (1) with the glass panel to be secured or clamped. Due to the fact that the glass clamp, in the fitted position, does not extend under the glass panel (2) to be secured or clamped, no heat penetration is possible via the respective glass clamps in case of fire, contrary to a large number of known glass clamps which do extend under the glass panel (2) to be secured or clamped.

The bottom surface (3) furthermore has an opening (7) in the form of an elongate slot which extends at an angle between the front edge (4) and the rear edge (5) of the bottom surface (3). The respective opening (7) is suitable for receiving the attachment means. As can be seen in Figs. 1 and 3, said opening (7) has a specific embodiment, in particular the opening (7) comprises an elongate part (12) with a first width and a receiving part (13) which adjoins the elongate part (12) and has a second width which is greater than the first width. The elongate part (12) preferably has a width of 4 mm - 8 mm, preferably 6 mm. The receiving part (13) is preferably circular. As is clear from the figures, the opening (7) extends at an angle; to this end, the angle which the centre axis of the elongate part makes with the front edge of the bottom surface is between 5° and 40°.

The receiving part (13) preferably has a diameter of 9 mm - 12 mm, preferably 11.5 mm. The receiving part (13) is configured to receive the screw head of the attachment means with which the glass clamp (1) will be attached to a base. The width of the elongate part (12) is chosen such that its width is smaller than the screw head. A glass clamp designed in this way and having such an opening makes it possible to place the attachment means, in particular screws, in a line and at regular intervals apart beforehand, in order to subsequently fit the glass clamps, for example after installation of the fire-resistant window, by placing their receiving part (13) over the screw head and then moving the glass clamp (1) in the direction of the glass panel of the fire- resistant window, so that the cylindrical shaft of the screw is situated in the elongate part. Once positioned correctly and when the glass panel is clamped sufficiently well, the screw can be tightened further.

The glass clamp (1) according to the invention furthermore comprises a first (8) and a second (9) attachment lip which extend at right angles to the bottom surface (3) and to which a cover profile (10) is attachable. The attachment lips (8 and 9) extend parallel to each other and parallel to the pressure lip. The first attachment lip (8) adjoins the front edge (4) of the bottom surface (3). In use, a cover profile (10) is fitted onto the fitted glass clamps (1) on the front side and the rear side once a glass window has been installed and the pressure lips of various glass clamps press against the glass panels of the installed glass window. On the one hand, this offers the advantage that the glass clamps are no longer visible. On the other hand, this cover profile (10) will, together with the attachment lips, contribute to an improved clamping action and provide additional reinforcement. The presence of the cover profiles also gives the impression of a frame without there being a connection between the two sides of the window.

In order to prevent the cover profile from becoming detached, the second attachment lip comprises a preferably downwardly facing retaining element (11) which is configured to prevent the cover profile (10) from becoming detached.

The glass clamp (1) according to the invention is formed from a single piece of sheet metal which has a thickness of between 0.6 and 0.8 mm. The required openings, recesses and folding lines are provided by means of piercing and punching, following which the sheet metal is folded to the desired shape by means of a folding bench. Fig. 3 shows a glass clamp in the unfolded state.

As standard, the respective glass clamps (1) are attached to a base at regular intervals apart (approximately every 400 mm). The base to which the glass clamps (1) are attached is the same base as the one on which the glass panels to be secured or clamped rest. Obviously, depending on the circumstances, such glass clamps may also be placed on the sides or top side of the opening where the fire-resistant window is being installed.

Claims

1. Glass clamp (1) intended for securing a glass panel (2), comprising a base body with a bottom surface (3) having a front edge (4) and a rear edge (5), which bottom surface (3) is configured to be attached to a base, wherein said glass clamp (1) comprises a pressure lip (6) which adjoins the rear edge (5) with an inner surface (14) and an outer surface (15), which pressure lip (6) extends at right angles to the bottom surface (3) and wherein the bottom surface (3) furthermore comprises an opening (7) in the form of an elongate slot which extends between the front edge (4) and the rear edge (5) of the bottom surface (3) and which is suitable for receiving an attachment means to attach the glass clamp (1) to a base, characterized in that, in the fitted position of the glass clamp (1), only the outer surface (15) of the pressure lip (6) forms a contact surface with the glass panel (2) to be attached.

2. Glass clamp (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the glass clamp (1) is configured in such a way that, in the fitted position, it does not extend under the glass panel (2) which is secured by the glass clamp (1), as a result of which no heat penetration is possible via the bottom side of the glass panel (2) during a fire.

3. Glass clamp (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the glass clamp (1) furthermore comprises a first (8) and a second (9) attachment lip which extend at right angles to the bottom surface (3) and to which a cover profile (10) is attachable, wherein said attachment lips (8, 9) extend parallel to each other and parallel to the pressure lip (6), wherein the first attachment lip (8) adjoins the front edge (4) of the bottom surface (3).

4. Glass clamp (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the second attachment lip (9) comprises a retaining element (11) which is configured to prevent a cover profile (10) from becoming detached.

5. Glass clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said opening (7) comprises an elongate part (12) with a first width and a receiving part (13) which adjoins the elongate part (12) and has a second width which is greater than the first width.

6. Glass clamp (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the angle which the centre axis of the elongate part (12) makes with the front edge (4) of the bottom surface (3) is between 5° and 40°.

7. Glass clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the glass clamp (1) is formed from a single piece of sheet metal.

8. Glass clamp (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the sheet metal has a thickness of between 0.6 and 0.8 mm.

9. Glass clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said glass clamp (1) is configured for securing a frameless fire-resistant glass window comprising at least two tempered glass panels (2) which are placed a distance apart and between which a fire-resistant material is provided.

10. System for installing a frameless fire-resistant glass window comprising at least two tempered glass panels (2) which have been placed a distance apart and between which a fire-resistant material is provided, comprising a number of glass clamps (1) as described in at least one of Claims 1 to 9 and a number of attachment means configured to attach the glass clamps (1) to a base.

11. System according to Claim 10, characterized in that said system comprises at least one cover profile (10) suitable for covering a number of glass clamps (1) fitted in a straight line.