GB2176217A

GB2176217A - Interconnecting mullions and transoms of curtain walls

Info

Publication number: GB2176217A
Application number: GB08508397A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Alan Macey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-03-30
Filing date: 1985-03-30
Publication date: 1986-12-17
Also published as: GB8508397D0; GB2176217B

Abstract

Mullions 10 and transoms 14 are joined together by an end fitting secured within the ends of the transoms. End fitting 30 may incorporate spring-loaded bolts 40 to engage in apertures 11 in the mullion. Another embodiment of the end fitting, affords apertures to receive spring-loaded bolts carried by an internal fitting within the mullion. In both cases locking pins are inserted through bores in the bolts to prevent withdrawal thereof. In a further embodiment, the end fitting cooperates with an external fitting secured to the mullion. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Description of the invention This invention relates to curtain wall structures of the kind comprising a framework formed from upright frame members, usually known as "muilions", and horizontal frame members, usually known as "transoms", and a plurality of infill or curtain panels (which may be glazing panels) carried by the framework.

The invention is concerned with various aspects of such curtain wall structures related particularly to the manner in which mullion and transom members are connected together to form the framework.

Conventionally, in such curtain wall structures the transoms have been connected to the mullions very simply by means of an angle bracket or the like which is secured to the outer face of the mullion at the appropriate position and a transverse flange of the bracket is received within the end of the transom so that the upper wall of the transom rests on said flange and is then secured thereto by suitable fastening means. This method of attachment relies for accuracy and strength on the skill of the fitter and amongst the objectives of the present invention is the provision of an improved means for joining transoms to mullions.

According to the invention we provide a curtain wall structure in which horizontally extending frame members (hereinafter for convenience referred to as "transoms") are secured to vertically extending frame members (hereinafter for convenience referred to as "mullions") to form a framework for the reception of curtain panels, wherein the end of the transom is provided with an internal end fitting adapted to co-operate with locating means afforded by the mullion whereby the two frame members are located accurately in the desired relationship, and fastening means are provided for securing said transom and mullion together in the relationship determined by said end fitting and locating means.

The use of an end fitting in the transom greatly simplifies the operation of assembling the transom with the mullion, since it enables the transom to be positively located in the desired position by co-operation with the locating means on the mullion before the two members are fastened together. Moreover, the fastening means can then be in the form of simple locking pins which serve to hold the fitting and locating means in assembled relation.

In one arrangement in accordance with the invention, the end fitting may carry at least one projection whilst the locating means on the mullion may include at least one corresponding aperture for the reception of such projection, whereby the location of the transom relative to the mullion is determined at least partially by said projection and aperture.

Preferably, the end fitting includes at least two such projections so that the transom can be located on the mullion solely by engagement of the projections in the corresponding apertures.

In general, the end fitting and the locating means in combination may include one or more projections which are adapted to be received in corresponding apertures, and the projections may be provided in the transom end fitting and/or on the mullion, with the apertures being provided correspondingly on the mullion and/or the transom end fitting.

Thus, in an alternative arrangement, the locating means may comprise projections carried by the mullion and the end fitting of the transom may afford apertures for the reception of such projections.

Most conveniently, the projections comprise bolt elements which are slidably received in guideways so as to be retractable, desirably against spring means associated therewith so as to bias them into projected positions.

Thus, the bolt elements may be carried by a body which affords a plurality of said guideways for the reception of said bolt elements. Conveniently, such body is adapted to fit closely within the end of the transom or the interior of the mullion as appropriate, so that the body comprises the end fitting which is received within the end of the transom, or an internal fitting which is received within the interior of the mullion.

It will be appreciated that where the bolt elements are to be provided on the mullion, the internal body fitting is received within the mullion and located therein by means of the bolt elements extending through apertures formed in the mullion. In this case, the end fitting of the transom includes apertures arranged to align with the apertures in the mullion for the reception of the bolt elements which protrude through the latter apertures.

The body may conveniently comprise a length of a suitable extrusion which defines said guideways and the same extrusion may be utilised for the body of either an end fitting for the transoms or of an internal fitting for the mullions, so that either arrangement may be adopted at the designers choice.

Conveniently, the guideways in the body may extend throughout the entire length of the body so as to be capable of receiving a respective bolt element at each end. Thus, when the body is used for an internal fitting received within a mullion, it can present bolt elements on two opposed sides of the mullion for the location of a pair of transoms in alignment with one another on opposite sides of the mullion. The body preferably is of a cross-sectional shape and size such as to be received accurately within the transom and if the mullions and transoms are formed from section members having the same cross-sec tional shape and dimensions, or at least the same internal shape and dimensions, a length of the same extrusion may also be used in the construction of a spigot for joining mullion members together in end-to-end relation where necessary.

The fastening means whereby the transoms and mullions are secured together in the relationship determined by the end fitting and locating means may comprise locking pins which are inserted through transverse bores formed through the bolt elements whereby withdrawal of the bolt elements from the cooperative apertures is prevented.

In a further arrangement in accordance with the invention, the end fitting in the transom may be adapted to receive a co-operative fitting mounted on the outside of the mullion to serve as said locating means. The arrangement may be such that the transom end fitting affords an open mouth to engage an outwardly projecting part of said co-operative fitting. The fastening means for securing the transom and mullion together in the relationship determined by the two fittings may comprise locking pins, threaded fasteners, or the like arranged to extend through aligned apertures in the fittings, but preferably the fastening means comprises a retaining member which is adapted to hold opposed parts of the two fittings in such a way as to prevent withdrawal of the end fitting from the co-operative fitting.Preferably, the retaining member has a wedging action which serves to draw the transom end fitting towards the mullion.

These and other features in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a region of a curtain wall structure containing the junction between a mullion and two adjacent transoms, showing one of the transoms immediately prior to assembly with the adjacent mullion; Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end portion of the transom of Fig. 1 showing an end fitting; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the end fitting prior to assembly with the transom; Figure 3a illustrates a detail of the end fitting, namely a bolt assembly therein; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modification of the fitting shown in Fig. 3, for use as an internal fitting within a mullion;; Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a region of the curtain wall structure containing a junction between a mullion equipped with the internal fitting of Fig. 4 and two adjacent transoms, one of which is shown preparatory to assembly with the mullion, and with an end fitting thereof preparatory to assembly with the transom itself; Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further junction between a mullion and a transom illustrating an alternative embodiment; Figure 7 illustrates an end portion of the transom shown in Fig. 6 together with its end fitting and associated components prior to assembly; and Figure 8 illustrates a co-operative fitting, which is mounted on the mullion, together with it associated components.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, the curtain wall structure comprises a plurality of vertical mullions 10 and horizontal transoms 14 which are connected together by means in accordance with the invention to form a framework defining a plurality of rectangular frames each of which is intended to be occupied by a curtain panel. Preferably, as shown, the mullions 10 and transoms 14 are each of identical box-like section 20 comprising parallel longer side walls 21 joined by parallel shorter side walls 22. The longer side walls each have an extension portion which provides a pair of opposed flanges 23 for the purpose of carrying mounting and sealing means to support the curtain panels.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, the transom 14 carries an end fitting 30 (see Figs. 2 and 3) which includes two projecting bolts 40 which enter corresponding apertures 11 formed in the wall 21 of the mullion 10 at appropriate positions. The adjacent wall 22 (between the flanges 23) is formed with holes 12 which are positioned to correspond to bores 40a formed in the bolts 40 whereby such bolts may receive locking pins 43 in the manner hereinafter described.

Referring now specifically to Fig. 3, the end fitting 30 (which is shown here with four bolts 40 instead of the two shown in Figs. 1 and 2) includes a rectangular metal housing 31 having two parallel longer side walls 32 and two shorter side walls 33 with external ribs 34 so as to locate the body centrally within the cross-section of the transom 14 as shown in Fig. 2.

Each internal corner of the housing 31 is formed with internal flanges 35, 36 to provide guideways 37 of substantially square-shape in section. At least two of the guideways (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2) and optionally all four brackets as shown in Fig. 3) accommodate respective spring-loaded bolt assemblies as illustrated in Fig. 3a.

The housing 31 is conveniently obtained by cutting from a length of aluminium extrusion, and is secured within the end of the transom 14 by means of suitable fastenings, such as screws 31 a.

In the illustrated example, the bolt assemblies which are accommodated within the guideways 37 each comprise a bolt 40 which is most conveniently of circular shape in section, received as a sliding fit within the guideway and having formed or provided thereon a square section member 39 which serves by reasons of its cross-section to pre vent rotation of the bolt 40 about its longitudinal axis. The bolt 40 has a somewhat tapering nose portion and has a transverse bore 40a formed adjacent to its outer end. The member 39 ensures that the bore 40a can be aligned with the corresponding hole 12 formed in the mullion 10.

The member 39 also carries a laterally projecting guide pin 38 which engages in a slot 41 formed in the wall 33 of the housing for the purpose of limiting the outward travel of the bolt 40. A compression spring 42 acts between the member 39 and a stop member 42a of plastics material which is located in the guideway 37 as a tight fit.

The bolt assembly is such that, under the influence of the compression spring 42, the bolt 40 is forced outwardly into the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, but can be retracted, against the force of the spring, as the transom 14 is offered up to the mullion 10. When the bolts 40 are aligned with the apertures 11 in the wall 21 of the mullion, the springs 42 automatically act to project the bolts through such apertures. The locking pins 43 can then be passed through the corresponding holes 12 in the adjacent wall 22 of the mullion so as to enter the bores 40a and thereby positively prevent subsequent withdrawal of the bolts.It will be understood that the length of the bolts and the position of the bore are preferably so related to the thickness of the wall 21 of the mullion as to hold the end of the transom 14 firmly against the wall 21, and if necessary the bores in the bolts and/or the locking pins may be of somewhat tapering form so as to draw the transoms up to the mullion.

Whilst only two bolts 40 are shown in the end fitting 30 assembled with the transom 14 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be understood that each of the four guideways 37 may be provided with a respective bolt assembly, as shown in Fig. 3 in any case where a stronger joint is required. Under those circumstances the wall 21 of the mullion would be formed with four apertures 11, and the appropriate holes 12 would be formed in both opposed walls 22.

At the joint illustrated in Fig. 1, it will be appreciated that both opposed walls 21 are formed with apertures 11 whereby transoms 14 are secured to the mullion on opposite sides thereof.

Fig. 4 shows a fitting 50 which is generally similar to the fitting 30 shown in Fig. 3, and indeed its body may be identical with the body 31. The fitting 50 differs primarily in that the single-ended bolt assemblies of the Fig. 3 embodiment are replaced by double ended bolt assemblies which incorporate a pair of opposed bolts 60 which are slidably disposed in the guideways afforded by the body and have a square-section member 59 formed or provided thereon in order to prevent rotation of the bolt about its longitudinal axis. A spring 62 acts directly between the opposed members 59 so that both bolts are resiliently biased to their projected positions as shown in Fig. 4. Each member 59 carries a guide pin 58 which is engaged in a slot 61, similar to the slot 41, but of greater length and symmetrically disposed with respect to the ends of the body.

The fitting 50 is intended for assembly in the interior of a mullion 10a, as shown in Fig.

5 so that the bolts 60 project through apertures 61 formed in the opposed side walls thereof in the same manner as the apertures 11 of the mullion 10 illustrated in Fig. 1. In this case, the shorter side walls of the mullion 10a do not require to be provided with holes similar to the holes 12. The bolts 60 serve as locating projections on the mullion to engage an end member 70 provided at the ends of mullions 14a. It will be appreciated that the fitting 50 can be inserted into the mullion 10a by forcing the bolts 60 inwardly of the guideways against the force of the springs 62, and then introducing the fitting 50 through the open-end of the mullion. It may then be advanced along the mullion until the bolts 60 align with the apertures 61, whereupon they automatically spring outwardly so as to lock the fitting 50 in place.

The end fitting 70 comprises an extrusion of generally channel-shape in section which includes a web 71 with opposed parallel flanges 72 terminating in inwardly directed flanges 73 which are shaped to afford bores 74 for the reception of fastening screws 75 which extend through holes 76 formed in the walls of the transom 14a at appropriate positions. It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the web 71 are such that the end fitting 70 is received closely within the interior of the transom 14a.

The web 71 is formed with apertures 77 at positions corresponding to the apertures 61 in the mullion 10a so that the projecting bolts 60 can enter the apertures 77 and locate the end of the transom relative to the mullion.

Since the bolts 60 are spring-loaded, they can temporarily be displaced inwardly on one side of the mullion to allow the end of the transom to be slidden across the side face of the mullion until the apertures 77 and 61 are in alignment. Roll pins 63 can then be inserted into the bores 60a at the projecting ends of the bolts 60, through a gap 78 formed at the end of the transom 14a by cutting away a portion of each side wall.

Thus, in this embodiment the bolts 60 carried by the fitting 50 serve as locating means carried by the mullion to engage the end fitting 70 carried by the transom, whereas in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 the bolts 40 are carried by the end fitting 30 of the transom to co-operate with locating means in the form of apertures 11 in the mullion.

It may be noted that the extrusion used for the body 31 of the fittings 30 and 50 may also be used as a spigot for the purpose of connecting mullions together in end-to-end alignment.

Whilst in the embodiments described above the end fitting in the transom is located solely by the engagement of the bolts in corresponding apertures it will be appreciated that it would be possible to provide additional interfitting formations which serve the primary function of locating the transom relative to the mullion, so that the bolts then serve primarily as the means for retaining the transom in the required location.

A further embodiment of joint arrangement in accordance with the invention in which an internal end fitting of a transom engages a cooperative fitting on the mullion is illustrated in Fig. 6. In this embodiment, a transom 14b is provided with an end fitting 80 which is of generally channel-shape in section and comprises a web 81 with a pair of parallel flanges 82 which terminate at their free ends in outwardly turned lips 82a and also carry inwardly directed ribs 83 at a position spaced slightly from their free ends. Adjacent to the web 81, the flanges 82 carry outwardly directed ribs 82b, and internally the channel section end fitting 80 is formed to define bores 85 for the reception of fastening elements, such as roll pins 87 which are passed through holes 86 in the side walls of the transom 14b to retain the end fitting in position.The lips 82a and ribs 32b are so dimensioned as to ensure that the fitting 80 seats closely within the interior of the transom 14b.

To enable the transom 14b to be connected to a mullion 10b, the latter carries a co-operative fitting 90 which comprises a base plate 91 carrying a generally channel-section member 92 and secured to the mullion by means of suitable fasteners such as bolts 90a.

The channel-section member 92 comprises a web 93 which engages the base plate 91, a pair of opposed parallel flanges 94 which terminate in outwardly directed ribs 95 parallel to the base plate 91. The web 93 also has extensions 96 beyond the flanges 94.

The spacing between the flanges 94 is such as to enable them to be accommodated between the ribs 83 of the member 81 with the web extensions 96 lying adjacent to the ribs 83. The width of the ribs 95 is such as to engage the interior faces of the flanges 82 of the end fitting 80.

To enable the transom 14b to be presented laterally to the fitting 90, the side walls of the transom 14b are formed with cut-outs 88 of such a size as to allow the end portion of the transom to passed over the channel-section member 92. The transom 14b may be formed with cut-outs 88 on one or both sides thereof.

By engagement between the ribs 95 and the interior faces of the flanges 82, the vertical position of the transom 14b along the length of the mullion is accurately determined.

To determine its horizontal position relative to the channel-section member 92, the flanges 83 are formed with gaps 84, and the web extensions 96 are formed with corresponding gaps 97 which are in alignment when the end fitting 80 is disposed centrally on the fitting 90. To hold the two fittings in this position, locking members 98 are provided. These are in the form of bars having at least one projection 99 which is adapted to fit closely in the aligned gaps 84 and 90 so as to prevent relative movement of the end fitting 80 longitudinally of the channel-section member 92.

As can be seen, the spacing between the web extensions 96 and the opposed flanges 95 of the channel-section member 92 is greater than the maximum width of the locking members 98 so as to allow them to be inserted laterally into the required position. To hold the locking members in position, with the projections 99 located in the aligned gaps 84, 97, additional bars 89 are provided. These are inserted between the locking bars 98 and the ribs 95 thereby to prevent movement of the locking bars 98 away from the web extensions 96 and ribs 83. Accordingly, when the bars 98 are drivent home through the cut-outs 88 the transom 14b is positively located against movement lengthwise of the channelsection member 92.

Additionally, the transom 14b is held against movement away from the mullion 10b by virtue of the ribs 83 being held against the web extension 96 by the locking members 98 and bars 89, which are themselves prevented from moving away from the mullion by the ribs 95 of the channel-section member 92.

Moreover, the locking members 98 and bars 89 may be tapered slightly along their lengths so as to have a wedging action which forces the ribs 95 and 83 apart as the bars 89 are driven into the space between them.

However, preferably a similar wedging action is obtained by forming the end fitting 80 from a length of suitable extrusion and by cutting the ends of the fitting 80 at a slightly oblique angle. In this way, instead of extending perpendicularly between the opposed side faces of the transom 14b, the fitting 80 can be arranged to extend at a slight oblique angle whereby the ribs 83 are not parallel with the opposed face of the mullion, but extend at a slight angle so that the width of the gap between the ribs 83 and the opposed ribs 95 of the channel-section member 92 decreases slightly from one end of the member to the other. Insertion of the bars 89 behind the locking members 98 thus serves to draw the end fitting 80, and the transom 14b to which it is secured, towards the mullion 10b so that a very rigid joint is formed.

Instead of securing the channel-section member 92 to the mullion 10b, it would alternatively be possible to use such a member as an alternative end fitting for the transom 14b, and in this case the end fitting 80 would then be secured to the mullion in place of the channel-section member 92.

Claims

1. A curtain wall structure in which horizontally extending transom frame members are secured to vertically extending mullion frame members to form a framework for the reception of curtain panels, wherein the end of the transom is provided with an internal end fitting adapted to co-operate with locating means afforded by the mullion whereby the two frame members are located accurately in the desired relationship, and fastening means are provided for securing said transom and mullion together in the relationship determined by said end fitting and locating means.

2. A structure according to Claim 1 wherein the end fitting and the locating means in combination include one or more projections which are adapted to be received in corresponding apertures.

3. A structure according to Claim 1 wherein the end fitting carries at least one projection whilst the locating means on the mullion includes at least one corresponding aperture for the reception of such projection, whereby the location of the transom relative to the mullion is determined at least partially by said projection and aperture.

4. A structure according to Claim 3 wherein the end fitting includes at least two such projections so that the transom is located on the mullion solely by engagement of the projections in the corresponding apertures.

5. A structure according to Claim 1 wherein the locating means comprise projections carried by the mullion and the end fitting of the transom may afford apertures for the reception of such projections.

6. A structure according to Claims 2 to 5 wherein the projections comprise bolt elements which are slidably received in guideways so as to be retractable.

7. A structure according to Claim 6 wherein the bolt elements have spring means associated therewith so as to bias them into projected positions.

8. A structure according to Claim 6 wherein the bolt elements are carried by a body which affords a plurality of said guideways.

9. A structure according to Claim 8 wherein the body is adapted to fit closely within the end of the transom or the interior of the mullion as appropriate.

10. A structure according to Claim 8 as appendant to Claim 3 wherein the body comprises the end fitting which is received within the end of the transom.

11. A structure according to Claim 8 as appendant to Claim 5 wherein the body comprises an internal fitting which is received within the interior of the mullion.

12. A structure according to Claims 8 to 11 wherein the body comprises a length of an extrusion which defines said guideways.

13. A structure according to Claims 8 to 11 wherein the guideways in the body extend throughout the entire length of the body.

14. A structure according to Claim 13 as appendant to Claim 9 wherein two or more of such guideways house single bolt assemblies.

15. A structure according to Claim 13 as appendent to Claim 10 wherein two or more of said guideways house double-ended bolt assemblies.

16. A structure according to any one of Claims 6 to 15 wherein the fastening means whereby the transoms and mullions are secured together in the relationship determined by the end fitting and locating means comprise locking pins which are inserted through transverse bores formed through the bolt elements whereby withdrawal of the bolt elements from the apertures is prevented.

17. A structure according to Claim 1 wherein the end fitting in the transom is adapted to receive a co-operative fitting mounted on the outside of the mullion to serve as said locating means.

18. A structure according to Claim 17 wherein the transom end fitting affords an open mouth to engage an outwardly projecting part of said cooperative fitting.

19. A structure according to Claim 18 wherein the fastening means for securing the transom and mullion together in the relationship determined by the two fittings comprises a retaining member which is adapted to hold opposed parts of the two fittings in such a way as to prevent withdrawal of the end fitting from the co-operative fitting.

20. A structure according to Claim 19 wherein the retaining member has a wedging action -which serves to draw the transom end fitting towards the mullion.

21. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.