GB1579612A

GB1579612A - Dry glazing

Info

Publication number: GB1579612A
Application number: GB1776678A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Schlegel UK Ltd
Current assignee: Schlegel UK Ltd
Priority date: 1978-05-04
Filing date: 1978-05-04
Publication date: 1980-11-19

Description

(54)DRY GLAZING (71) We, SCHLEGEL(UK) LIMITED, a British Company, of Ring Road, Seacroft, Leeds, LS14 1LY, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a dry glazing strip so that glass or for that matter any other panel can be located in or over an aperture to provide a weatherproof barrier.

The strip could also be used for double glazing purposes.

Dry glazing systems in themselves are not new. In particular, they have been used for several years for double glazing the inside of existing windows but the strips used in such systems do not have to be totally weatherproof in that they are not exposed on their exterior face to the elements. Furthermore, external dry glazing systems are known but these are of complicated design, normally incorporate several different locating and glazing beads and are therefore complicated and expensive to install. We have now developed a strip for a dry glazing system, making the system simple to install, simple to glaze and externally weatherproof. Our dry glazing system therefore does not suffer from the disadvantages of the prior systems.

Although our glazing strip has been specifically designed for the fixing of glass panels, it will be appreciated that it can be used to secure any other sheet or panel of material in or across an opening, for example, plywood, steel or for that matter any other material manufactured in sheet form. The words "glazing" and "glazed" used hereinafter should therefore be interpreted accordingly.

According to the present invention, we provide a dry glazing strip for securing a panel in or across an opening, the strip including a base portion adapted to be located along an edge of an opening to be glazed, an external leg portion upstanding from the base portion, sealing means on or adapted to be located on, or forming part of the external leg portion to form a seal with a panel when the latter is abutted against the external leg portion, an integral leg portion to abut an internal face of the panel, and further means separate from the internal leg portion movable into releasable engagement with the internal leg portion, to maintain the panel in position and in sealing engagement with the sealing means on the external leg portion.

Preferably, the sealing means on the external leg portion comprises a soft tip on the free edge region thereof which is extruded integrally therewith.

Preferably, the internal leg portion is movable between a first position wherein the panel can be located and abutted against the external leg portion, and a second position in which it lies substantially parallel to the external leg portion and abuts against the internal surface of the panel.

Preferably, the internal leg portion is connected to the base portion of the strip by means of a hinge-like strip of resiliently deformable material extruded by a dual durometer process with the base portion, external leg portion and the remainder of the internal leg portion.

Preferably, sealing means is provided along the free edge region of the internal leg portion to form a seal between the interior surface of the panel and the internal leg portion.

Preferably, the sealing means on the external leg portion and on the internal leg portion are both extruded in one with the remainder of their leg portions and are of softer material than the remainder of the leg portions. If desired, they may be of the same soft material as the hinge-like strip.

Preferably, a device is provided along the face of the internal leg portion facing away from the panel to assist in maintaining the internal leg portion in sealing engagement with the panel. Preferably, this device compriscs a locating groovc.

Prcfct;ibly also, the further means to maintain the panel in abutting rclationship with the seal on the external leg portion includes a locking aml extendible between the rear face of the internal leg portion and the base poertion.

Preferably, thins locking aml is connected to the base potion hy a further hinge-like strip, the hingc-like strip extending between the base portion and a lower end of the locking arm and being extruded from a soft resilient material in one with the base portion and locking arm, the locking arm being movable from a first position to a second locking position in which its free edge region engages beneath the groove on the rear face of the internal leg portion.

Also according to the present invention, we provide a dry glazing assembly including a plurality of glazing strips as described above located around an area to be glazed, and a panel located between the external leg portions and means connected to the base portion of each strip and surrounded by the base portions of each strip.

Preferably, at the joins between adjacent strips, a corner moulding is provided.

The present invention also provides a method of dry glazing an area. comprising the steps of locating a glazing strip as described above along each boundary of the area, securing said strips in position, locating a panel against the sealing means on or associated with the external leg portions of the strips, and manipulating the internal leg portions of each strip into a position in which the said internal log maintains the panel in position and in sealing engagement with the sealing means on the external leg portions of the strips.

A dry glazing strip in accordance with the present invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is a section through a window frame which has been glazed with a glass panel by means of the glazing strip of the invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation of a corner of a window, and Figure 3 is a section through the glazing strip to a larger scale than Figure 1.

Rcfcrring to the drawings, it will be appreciated that for a rectangular window frame 1, four lengths of glazing strip will be required. Two Icngtlis 3 and 5 are shown in Figure 2. While it is envisaged that it might be possible to mitre the lengths of glazing strip where they meet at a corner 7, this would prohably be difficult and instead we propose to provide a special corner moulding 9 having an outline matching that of the fully installed glazing strip (see Figure 1).

These corner mouldings would be provided with projecting lugs 11 which would be hidden within the confines of the two end regions of the strips 3 and 5.

The strip itself is shown in Figure 3 and is extruded as a continuous dual durometer extrusion. The strip includes a base portion 100 and an external leg portion 200 extending normal to the base portion and upstanding from its front edge region. Each of the portions 100 and 200 is formed of the same semi-rigid material, e.g. a plastics material.

A sealing strip 300 is provided along the free edge region of the external leg portion 200 and is provided with a sealing lip 301.

Although the sealing strip 300 could be adhered to the leg portion 200, it would normally be extruded in one therewith and formed of softer material than the portion 200, e.g. a resiliently deformable plastics material. As can be seen from Figure 1, a glass panel 13 of the required size is arranged to be located within the aperture defined by the four lengths of glazing strip with edge regions of the front face of the glass panel 13 abutting against the sealing strip 300 and the leg portion 200 preventing the glass panel from moving forwardly.

Upstanding from a central region of the base portion 100 is an internal leg portion 400, this leg portion 400 being hingedly connected to the base portion 100 by a hinge 600 formed of soft resiliently deformable material extruded in one with the base portion 100 and leg portion 400. The material of the hinge 600 can be the same as that of the sealing strip 300 whereas the leg portion 400 can be formed of the same material as the base portion 100. Along its upper edge region, the internal leg portion 400 is provided with a sealing strip 500 similar to the sealing strip 300, i.e. it may be of the same material as the strip 300 and may be extruded in one with the leg portion 400.

The internal leg portion 400 is arranged to be moved from the position shown in Figure 3 to the postion shown in Figure 1 once the glass has been located against the leg portions 200, whereupon the sealing strip 500 will abut the internal surface of the glass panel 13 and if pressed against the glass panel will form a suitable seal therewith and ensure there is also a seal between seal 300 and the front of the glass. In order to maintain the leg portion 400 in the Figure 1 position, a groove 501 is provided on the rear face of the leg portion 400 adjacent its free edge, this groove being in the form of an inverted V.

To assist in maintaining the leg portion 400 in the Figure 1 position, a retaining arm 800 is hingedly connected to the base portion 100 along its edge region remote from the edge region to which the leg portion 200 is connected. For this purpose, a hinge 900 of resiliently deformable material, and which may be substantially identical to the hinge 600, is provided. The free edge of the arm 800 terminates in a chisel-shaped point 801 for location within the groove 501, and preferably the arm 800 is a little longer than the distance between the hinge 900 and the groove 501 when the arm 400 is in the Figure 1 position, so that it may be necessary slightly to deform the arm 800 into a concave configuration after it has been folded anti-clockwise as shown in Figure 3 from the position of Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 1 to lock it in position. Due to this deformation and the natural resiliency of the material from which the arm 800 is made, the arm 800 will force the leg 400 and hence the seal 500 against the glass panel 13, which in turn will be forced against the seal 300 so that a weatherproof seal is provided between the glazing strip and the glass panel 13 both at the front and at the rear surfaces of the glass panel 13.

It will thus be appreciated that we provide a dry glazing strip for a dry glazing system which can be used both with timber and metal framed windows or, for that matter, plastics framed windows, or for any aperture that is to be fitted with a panel. The strip can be produced in any extrudable material, e.g. PVC, and can be produced in a range of sizes to accommodate various glass panel thicknesses. Normally, the extrusion would be produced in the attitude shown in Figure 3 although it is envisaged that it could be produced in any other attitude so long as it is capable of being moved from the Figure 3 position to the Figure 1 position and vice-versa.

To glaze an opening, the required number of lengths of strip will be cut to the required length and will then be fixed in position within the opening or frame section, either by nails, screws, adhesive or possibly just even located within a groove. When all the strips are in position, the glass panel is offered up into position so as to abut the seals 300, the leg portions 400 then being folded upwardly so as to abut the rear face of the glass. If corner mouldings are being used, these would then be placed in position, whereupon the locking arms 800 would then be locked into position. If desired, a small bead of mastic or silicone can be applied to the corners of the glass to ensure a watertight and homogeneous seal around the periphery of the glass, but this may not be necessary.

By using glazing strips as described above a quicker and cleaner glazing capability is provided than by using conventional putty glazing techniques. What is more, glazing can be carried out from the inside of an opening, which is a distinct advantage when glazing high buildings. If a glass panel breaks in a window glazed with strips of the invention, re-glazing can easily and quickly be carried out. It is envisaged that there will be no impedance of performance of the strips by "re-use" in this way.

The extruded glazing strips can be supplied in a range of colours if desired so as to blend in with surrounding timer or paintwork and, furthermore, the exposed faces of the strip, e.g. the external face of the leg portion 200 and the rear face of the arm 800 could be supplied with an adhesive backed paper covering so that decorating of the window frames can be undertaken quickly without worrying about decorating the strips. After the decorating operation, the cover can quickly be peeled off.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A dry glazing strip for securing a panel in or across an opening, the strip including a base portion adapted to be located along an edge of an opening to be glazed, an external leg portion upstanding from the base portion, sealing means on or adapted to be located on, or forming part of the external leg portion to form a seal with a panel when the latter is abutted against the external leg portion, an integral leg portion to abut an internal face of the panel, and further means separate from the internal leg portion movable into releasable engagement with the internal leg portion, to maintain the panel in position and in sealing engagement with the sealing means on the external leg portion.

2. A dry glazing strip according to claim 1 wherein the sealing means on the external leg portion comprises a soft tip on the free edge region thereof which is extruded integrally therewith.

3. A dry glazing strip according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the internal leg portion is movable between a first position wherein the panel can be located and abutted against the external leg portion, and a second position in which it lies substantially parallel to the external leg portion and abuts against the internal surface of the panel.

4. A dry glazing strip according to claim 3 wherein the internal leg portion is connected to the base portion of the strip by means of a hinge-like strip of resiliently deformable material extruded by a dual durometer process with the base portion, external leg portion and the remainder of the internal leg portion.

5. A dry glazing strip according to claim 3 or 4 wherein sealing means is provided along the free edge region of the internal leg portion to form a seal between the interior surface of the panel and the internal leg

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

800 is hingedly connected to the base portion 100 along its edge region remote from the edge region to which the leg portion 200 is connected. For this purpose, a hinge 900 of resiliently deformable material, and which may be substantially identical to the hinge 600, is provided. The free edge of the arm 800 terminates in a chisel-shaped point 801 for location within the groove 501, and preferably the arm 800 is a little longer than the distance between the hinge 900 and the groove 501 when the arm 400 is in the Figure 1 position, so that it may be necessary slightly to deform the arm 800 into a concave configuration after it has been folded anti-clockwise as shown in Figure 3 from the position of Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 1 to lock it in position. Due to this deformation and the natural resiliency of the material from which the arm 800 is made, the arm 800 will force the leg 400 and hence the seal 500 against the glass panel 13, which in turn will be forced against the seal 300 so that a weatherproof seal is provided between the glazing strip and the glass panel 13 both at the front and at the rear surfaces of the glass panel 13.

It will thus be appreciated that we provide a dry glazing strip for a dry glazing system which can be used both with timber and metal framed windows or, for that matter, plastics framed windows, or for any aperture that is to be fitted with a panel. The strip can be produced in any extrudable material, e.g. PVC, and can be produced in a range of sizes to accommodate various glass panel thicknesses. Normally, the extrusion would be produced in the attitude shown in Figure 3 although it is envisaged that it could be produced in any other attitude so long as it is capable of being moved from the Figure 3 position to the Figure 1 position and vice-versa.

To glaze an opening, the required number of lengths of strip will be cut to the required length and will then be fixed in position within the opening or frame section, either by nails, screws, adhesive or possibly just even located within a groove. When all the strips are in position, the glass panel is offered up into position so as to abut the seals 300, the leg portions 400 then being folded upwardly so as to abut the rear face of the glass. If corner mouldings are being used, these would then be placed in position, whereupon the locking arms 800 would then be locked into position. If desired, a small bead of mastic or silicone can be applied to the corners of the glass to ensure a watertight and homogeneous seal around the periphery of the glass, but this may not be necessary.

By using glazing strips as described above a quicker and cleaner glazing capability is provided than by using conventional putty glazing techniques. What is more, glazing can be carried out from the inside of an opening, which is a distinct advantage when glazing high buildings. If a glass panel breaks in a window glazed with strips of the invention, re-glazing can easily and quickly be carried out. It is envisaged that there will be no impedance of performance of the strips by "re-use" in this way.

The extruded glazing strips can be supplied in a range of colours if desired so as to blend in with surrounding timer or paintwork and, furthermore, the exposed faces of the strip, e.g. the external face of the leg portion 200 and the rear face of the arm 800 could be supplied with an adhesive backed paper covering so that decorating of the window frames can be undertaken quickly without worrying about decorating the strips. After the decorating operation, the cover can quickly be peeled off.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A dry glazing strip for securing a panel in or across an opening, the strip including a base portion adapted to be located along an edge of an opening to be glazed, an external leg portion upstanding from the base portion, sealing means on or adapted to be located on, or forming part of the external leg portion to form a seal with a panel when the latter is abutted against the external leg portion, an integral leg portion to abut an internal face of the panel, and further means separate from the internal leg portion movable into releasable engagement with the internal leg portion, to maintain the panel in position and in sealing engagement with the sealing means on the external leg portion.
2. A dry glazing strip according to claim 1 wherein the sealing means on the external leg portion comprises a soft tip on the free edge region thereof which is extruded integrally therewith.
3. A dry glazing strip according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the internal leg portion is movable between a first position wherein the panel can be located and abutted against the external leg portion, and a second position in which it lies substantially parallel to the external leg portion and abuts against the internal surface of the panel.
4. A dry glazing strip according to claim 3 wherein the internal leg portion is connected to the base portion of the strip by means of a hinge-like strip of resiliently deformable material extruded by a dual durometer process with the base portion, external leg portion and the remainder of the internal leg portion.
5. A dry glazing strip according to claim 3 or 4 wherein sealing means is provided along the free edge region of the internal leg portion to form a seal between the interior surface of the panel and the internal leg

portion.
6. A dry glazing strip according to claim 5 wherein the sealing means on the external leg portion and on the internal leg portion are both extruded in one with the remainder of their leg portions and are of softer material than the remainder of the leg portions.
7. A dry glazing strip according to claim 6 wherein the sealing means are of the same soft material as the hinge-like like strip.
8. A dry glazing strip according to any one of claims 3-7 wherein a device provided along the face of the internal leg portion facing away from the panel to assist in maintaining the internal leg portion in sealing engagement with the panel.
9. A dry glazing strip according to claim 8 wherein said device comprises a locating groove.
10. A dry glazing strip according to any one of claims 3-9 wherein the further means to maintain the panel in abutting relationship with the seal on the external leg portion includes a locking arm extendible between the rear face of the internal leg portion oand the base portion.
11. A dry glazing strip according to claim 10 wherein the locking arm is connected to the base portion by a further hinge-like strip, the hinge-like strip extending between the base portion and a lower end of the locking arm and being extruded from a soft resilient material in one with the base portion and locking arm. the locking arm being movable from a first position to a second locking position in which its free edge region engages beneath the groove on the rear face of the internal leg portion.
12. A dry glazing strip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. A dry glazing assembly including a plurality of glazing strips claimed in any one of the preceding claims, said strips being located around an area to be glazed. and a panel located between the external leg portions and the internal leg portion of each strip and surrounded by the base portions of each strip.
14. A dry glazing assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein, at the joins between adjacent strips, a corner moulding is provided.
15. A method of dry glazing an area, comprising the steps of locating a glazing strip as claimed in any one of claims 1-12 along each boundary of the area securing said strips in position. locating a panel against the sealing means on or associated with the external leg portions of the strips, and manipulating the internal leg portions of each strip into a position in which the said internal leg maintains the panel in position and in sealing engagement with the sealing means on the external leg portions of the strips.
16. A method of dry glazing an area substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.