GB2266113A - Glazing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A glazing system of particular value in the form of a fire-resistant glazed screen comprises a frame (10) constructed of a number of linear, hollow frame members (11), linear flanged profile members (12; 16) mounted in pairs upon opposite faces of said hollow frame members and together defining between opposed flanges (14) of each pair a channel to receive one edge of a glazing panel (15), junction pieces (17; 18; 19) secured in pairs upon opposite faces of said frame at each junction of said hollow frame members so as to enclose therebetween the ends of said frame members and of said profile members, and glazing panels (15) retained by said channels within the frame. This system has the advantage that it may be assembled in situ by relatively unskilled labour and yet it provides a glazed screen of the desired level of fire-resistance. <IMAGE>

Description

Glazing System The present invention is a glazing system of particular value in the form of a fire-resistant glazed screen.

Fire-resistant glazed screens of the non-load-bearing type are conventionally constructed upon a frame of which the various component parts are connected together by welding. In order for the welding to be carried out where the required equipment for that purpose is available, such welded frames are therefore prefabricated in the factory and delivered to the intended site of use as an assembled structure. Thus not only is skilled labour required in the fabrication and installation of the glazed screens but also there is no flexibility allowing the frame to be modified on site nor otherwise adapted to the specific features of the site of use.

However, no alternative glazing system is available which would allow the required screen to be assembled in situ by relatively unskilled labour and which nonetheless affords the desired level of fire-resistance. It is an object of the present invention to provide such a system.

The glazing system according to the present invention comprises a frame constructed of a nun9Der of linear, hollow frame members, linear flanged profile members mounted in pairs upon opposite faces of said hollow frame members and together defining between opposed flanges of each pair a channel to receive one edge of a glazing panel, junction pieces secured in pairs upon opposite faces of said frame at each junction of said hollow frame members so as to enclose therebetoleen the ends of said frame members and of said profile members, and glazing panels retained by said channels within the frame.

The frame members of which the frame is constructed are linear and hollow and preferably are of a rectangular, including square, cross-section. Preferably all the frame members, including both those to be installed in a horizontal orientation (the transomes) and those to be installed vertical (the mullions), are of the same cross-section.

The frame members are preferably of steel.

The frame is constructed from the frame members by connecting the members together at their ends by any desired mechanical method. Thus the frame members may be connected directly to each other, although it is greatly preferred to provide connector pieces. to hold the frame members together. The connections are preferably made by means of bolts or self-drilling, self-ta#pinq screws, which are preferably of stainless steel.

The glazing rebate is formed from a pair of flanged linear profile members which are mounted along each frame member on opposite sides of the frame. Opposed flanges of a pair of the profile members together define a channel, which functions as the glazing rebate within which an edge of the adjacent glazing panel may be retained. The glazing panel may be a single thickness of glass or a pair of panes of glass forming a double-glazing panel and the dimensions of the profile members and their relative spacing should be selected to define a channel of a width appropriate to the thickness of the glazing panel.

Each linear profile member is of such a shape as to fit over a frame member and to provide one or two flanges (depending upon whether or not the frame member is at an edge of the assembled frame), each of which flanges forms one side of the glazing rebate. A typical preferred crosssection of each profile member comprises an angular channel (shaped to match the outer profile of the frame member), with two flanges extending at right angles on opposite sides of the channel (for example a socalled "top-hat" profile) - or a half of such a profile in the case of a profile member for fitting adjacent to the edge of the assembled frame. The profile members may be cold drawn in galvanised mild steel.

An important feature of the present invention comprises the junction pieces, which participate in maintaining the integrity of the fire-resistance afforded by the glazing system. The junction pieces are so shaped and fitted, in pairs on opposite faces of the frame at each junction of the hollow members, as to enclose the ends of the frame members and also the ends of the profile members fitted to those frame members. The junction pieces may therefore each comprise two, three or four arms at mutual right angles, depending upon the position in the assembled frame at which the respective junction piece is to be used, with a channel in each arm designed to enclose the end of one frame member and the end of the superimposed profile member. The junction members may advantageously be formed by casting in a stainless steel alloy.

In the absence of the junction members, it would have been necessary to mitre the abutting ends of the profile members, which is a skilled operation. However the junction members effectively seal the junctions to prevent transmission therethrough of smoke, hot gases and flames and thereby render the mitring of the profile members unnecessary.

Thus the glazing system according to the present invention provides a means for constructing in situ a fire-resistant glazed screen, which usually will be a nonload-bearing screen. However, it will usually be desired to enhance the appearance of the screen beyond what is essential to its intended function and with that in mind, a decorative outer cover for the frame may be provided.

In one preferred form of the invention, the outer cover is constructed from cover sections, extruded in aluminium, Such cover sections may be retained in place by means of clips concealed within the cover sections. The aluminium cover sections may be finished by anodising or by polyester powder coating.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example only, one preferred embodiment of the glazing system according to the present invention and wherein: - Figs. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate in perspective view three forms of junction pieces employed in the construction of a glazed screen; Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate in cross section two forms of profile members; Fig. 6 illustrates in elevation from the front a part of the glazed screen; and Fig. 7 illustrates in perspective view one junction of the screen.

The illustrated glazing system comprises a frame 10, consisting of steel linear frame members 11, of hollow rectangular cross-section, secured together at their ends by U-shaped connectors (not illustrated), to which the frame members 11 are bolted by means of stainless steel bolts. "Top-hat" profile members 12 (Fig. 5) are secured along the frame members 11, in pairs on opposite faces of the frame 10, by self-drilling, self-tapping screws 13.

Peripheral flanges 14 on the profile members 12 cooperate, in the opposed pairs of those members, to define between them linear channels which form the glazing rebate into which the edges of panes of fire-resistant glass 15 are slotted, wherein they are secured by tightening the screws 13. Where the frame members 11 lie along the edges of the frame, single-flanged profile members 16 (Fig. 4) may be substituted for the profile members 12.

At the junctions of the frame members, junction pieces 17, 18 or 19 are secured in pairs on opposite faces of the frame by self-drilling, self-tapping screws 20.

The appropriate 3-way, 2-way or 4-way junction piece is selected depending upon the nature of the junction, which in turn is determined by the position of the junction (edge, corner or middle) relative to the frame. The junction pieces, in pairs, enclose between them the ends of the adjacent frame members 11 and also the ends of the profile members 12 which overlie the frame members.

The necessary seals between the glazing panels and the profile members, and between the profile members and the frame members, are formed using conventional materials appropriate for this purpose, including self-adhesive ceramic tape and fire-retardant silicone sealant.

A cover in the form of lengths of extruded aluminium profile section 21 is attached over the frame by means of clips (not shown) concealed within the lengths of aluminium section. Water-excluding beading 22 is secured in sockets 23 along the edges of the cover sections.

Thus, by means of the glazing system according to the present invention, a fire-resistant glazed screen (for example, that illustrated in the accompanying drawings) may be constructed and installed at its intended site of use, using relatively unskilled labour, without loss of its desired fire-resistant properties.

Claims (16)

1. A glazing system comprising a frame constructed of a number of linear, hollow frame members, linear flanged profile members mounted in pairs upon opposite faces of said hollow frame members and together defining between opposed flanges of each pair a channel to receive one edge of a glazing panel, junction pieces secured in pairs upon opposite faces of said frame at each junction of said hollow frame members so as to enclose therebetween the ends of said frame members and of said profile members, and glazing panels retained by said channels within the frame.

2. A glazing system as claimed in claim 1, in which the frame members are of a rectangular, including square, cross-section.

3. A glazing system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which all the frame members are of the same cross-section.

4. A glazing system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the frame members are of steel.

5. A glazing system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the frame members are held together by means of connector pieces.

6. A glazing system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the connections between the frame members, or between the frame members and connector pieces, are made by means of bolts or self-tapping screws.

7. A glazing system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the glazing panel comprises a single thickness of glass.

8. A glazing system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in which the glazing panel comprises a pair of panes of glass forming a double-glazing panel.

9. A glazing system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, including profile members of which the' cross-section comprises an angular channel shaped to match the outer profile of a frame member.

10. A glazing system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the profile members are cold drawn in galvanised mild steel.

11. A glazing system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the junction pieces comprise two, three or four arms disposed at mutual right angles.

12. A glazing system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the junction members are formed by casting in a stainless-steel alloy.

13. A glazing system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which a decorative cover for the frame is provided.

14. A glazing system as claimed in claim 13, in which the decorative cover is constructed from cover sections, extruded in aluminium.

15. A glazing system as claimed in claim 14, in which the cover sections are retained in place by means of clips concealed within the cover sections.

16. A glazing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.