GB2307491A

GB2307491A - Mounting cladding panels on buildings

Info

Publication number: GB2307491A
Application number: GB9524161A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin James Meads; Brian P Hodges
Original assignee: HANSEN FENLOCK Ltd
Current assignee: HANSEN FENLOCK Ltd
Priority date: 1995-11-25
Filing date: 1995-11-25
Publication date: 1997-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2015-11-25
Also published as: GB2307491B; GB9524161D0

Abstract

An assembly for connecting a glazing panel to a support structure comprises a two part clamp. A first part (12) in the form of a substantially hemispherical spacer is mounted on a stud (9). A second part (13) in the form of a frusto-conical connector is fixed to a pin (24) which is retained in a slot in a boss (18) fixed to the panel. The spacer and frusto-conical connector have mating convex and concave surfaces to provide articulation, in an unclamped condition, between the panel and the support structure. The stud (9) passes through a slot (8) in a lug 7 fixed to the building structure, and is threaded into the second part (13).

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO GLAZING ASSEMBLIES The present invention relates to glazing assemblies.

One type of contemporary glazing assembly commonly used to provide an internal partition or external building facade comprises a plurality of unframed Co- planar glass panes mounted on a support structure. The absence of framework between adjacent panes of glass and between the edge of the glass and the surrounding building structure provides for an aesthetically pleasing design which, when used on an external facade, increases the amount of light entering the building.

Such assemblies are known in the trade as "structural" glazing assemblies. They can be oriented at any plane from vertical to horizontal and must be carefully constructed to provide adequate structural integrity for the application concerned.

It is important to ensure that the panes of glass in a single glazing plane are coplanar or "flush" so that adequate structural integrity in the form of sealing, resistance to wind load and general deflection is provided. With existing glazing assemblies much time and effort is wasted in ensuring the glazing is assembled to be co-planar.

This is made difficult by misalignment between components of the assembly caused by dimensional tolerances in the positioning of the support structure relative to the building, the size and surface finish of components of the support structure and glass.

and the position of fixings. These tolerances are cumulative in effect and are often compounded by inaccuracy. For example, glass panes are often connected to a lug welded on a support structure, the lug being perpendicular to the pane of the glass.

The welding process is generally inaccurate and the lug is often not aligned correctly so that it is perpendicular to the glass. Often the lug on the support structure is bent or re-welded during erection of the building to overcome misalignment, resulting in the possible weakening of the assembly. Extra time and expense is incurred in such realignment.

The problems in construction of such glazing assemblies have lead to components being designed with oversized fixing apertures and slots and the use of packing elements, such as shims, during assembly. These provide for undesirable complexity in assembly and add to the manufacturing costs. Moreover, the resulting assembly is often unsightly given that it is visible through the glass.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fixing assembly for connecting a building panel to a support structure, the fixing assembly comprising a clamp for clamping the building panel to the support structure, wherein the clamp comprises a first part connectable to the building panel and a second part connectable to the support structure, the clamp being articulated so that when in an unclamped condition the first and second parts are moveable relative to one another to permit the building panel to be clamped in a desired position relative thereto.

Preferably there is provided a stud on which the clamp is mounted, the stud being connected to the second part of the clamp.

In use, the stud may be received in an aperture of a planar element of the support structure, which element extends generally perpendicular to the building panel. The aperture in the planar element of the support structure is conveniently greater in size than the stud so that the latter may move relative thereto.

The first part of clamp preferably comprises a member having a concave surface whereas the second part of clamp preferably comprises a member with a convex surface, the convex and concave surfaces being in abutment. In an unclamped condition, the concave surface of the second part of the clamp is preferably moveable over the convex surface of the first part of the clamp so that the stud and building panel can move relative to the support structure.

In a clamped condition the second part of the clamp is preferably clamped against the first part of the clamp to prevent relative movement of the convex and concave surfaces and therefore movement of the stud and building panel relative to the support structure.

The first part of the clamp member may be a spacer on which the convex surface is defined, the spacer being adjacent to the support structure and held in a position fixed relative thereto. In a preferred embodiment the spacer is substantially hemispherical.

The second part of the clamp may be a connecting member on which a concave surface is defined, the connecting member being connected in use to the building panel. The connecting member may be frusto-conical in shape with an axial aperture by which it is threadedly connected to the stud. Thus in order to clamp the stud against movement the frusto-conical connector is screw-tightened along the stud against the spacer. This prevents relative movement of the spacer and frusto-conical connector and therefore movement of the stud (and building panel) relative to the support structure.

An intermediate washer may be pinned to the support structure to prevent slippage of the clamp relative thereto.

One end of the second part of the clamp may be connected to the stud and the other end connected to a pin to which the building panel may be connectable by means of a boss. Preferably, the second part of the clamp is threadedly connected to the stud.

The boss may be rotatable on the pin so that limited deflection of the building panel under load is accommodated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a glazing assembly comprising at least one glass panel connected to a support structure by means of a fixing assembly as defined above.

Preferably there are a plurality of glass panels and adjacent panels share a common stud of the fixing assembly, each end of the stud being connected to a respective glass panel.

Preferably the glass panels are connected to the support structure adjacent each corner but they may also or alternatively be connected to the support structure adjacent a longitudinal edge. Preferably the planar element is a lug.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic part cut away view of a glazing assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of part of a glazing assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a side view of the glazing assembly shown in figure 2; Figure 4 is a part-sectioned exploded view along line X-X of figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of part of a glazing assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6 is a side view the glazing assembly shown in figure 4; and Figure 7 is a part-sectioned exploded view of the glazing assembly taken along line Y-Y in figure 5.

Referring now to the drawings, figure I shows a glazing assembly comprising a plurality of co-planar regular glass panes 1 mounted on a rear supporting structure 2.

The assembly forms, typically, an external facade of a building or an internal partition.

The support structure shown in figure 1 comprises a plurality of spaced vertical beams or posts 3 having vertically spaced lugs (not shown in figure 1) to which each pane of glass 1 is connected as described below. Each pane I is connected at each corner 4 to the supporting post 3 by a fixing arrangement as described below.

A small gap between each adjacent pane 1 is filled with sealant 5. The glazing assembly is assembled by securing a pane of glass 1 at a time to the support structure 2.

Figure 2 shows two adjacent panes of glass 1 of a glazing assembly connected to a support structure fixing arrangement indicated generally by arrow 6. The adjacent panes of glass 1 are interconnected by an articulated by means of a flexible sealant 5.

The support structure 2 comprises a beam to which is welded, at regular vertical spacings, a lug 7 usually extending perpendicularly thereof. Each lug 7 is substantially aligned with the strip of sealant 5 between adjacent panes of glass 1 and has a central transverse aperture 8 to which the fixing arrangement 6 is connected. However, the lug 7 may be misaligned when welded to the support beam 2 as indicated by the dotted lines in figure 4.

Referring to figures 2 to 4, the fixing arrangement 6 comprises a threaded central stud 9 which is received in the lug aperture 8. The stud 9 is smaller in diameter than the lug aperture 8 so as to permit relative radial movement between the two. Each end of the stud 9 (on opposite sides of the lug 8) is connected to the glass 1 in the same way and accordingly only one side will be described.

Arranged on each half of the stud 9 in sequence, is a locking washer 10, a spacer gasket 11, a spacer 12 and a frusto-conical connector 13. The frusto-conical connector 13 has two threaded axial bores 14,15 of different diameters which meet at approximately half way along its length. A larger diameter end face 16 of the frustoconical connector 13 is concave and mates with a corresponding convex surface 17 of the adjacent spacer 12 which is substantially hemispherical. The spacer 12 has an opposing flat face 18 which abuts the spacer gasket 11 and traps it with the lock washer 10 (which may be of various profiles) against the lug 7. The spacer 12, gasket 11 and lock washer 10 all have central apertures 14, 15 and 16 of larger diameter than the stud 9 on which they are supported.The frusto-conical connector 13 is screwconnected to the end of the stud 9 to retain the other components on the stud 9.

Adjacent each corner of a glass pane 1 is a fixing aperture 1 9a to which is connected a boss 18. A bush 19 lines the fixing aperture 1 9a and a screw 20 passes through the bush 19, the aperture 1 9a in the glass 1 and into an axial threaded blind bore 21 in an end of the boss 18. Between the boss 18 and the glass 1 there is a protective gasket 22. The longitudinal axis of the boss 18 extends substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the frusto-conical connector 13. Adjacent the opposite end of the boss 18 there is a radial slot 23 (see especially in fig 3) extending across half the cross sectional area of the boss 18 at that point. The slot receives in tight engagement a support pin 24, an end of which is threadedly engaged with the smaller axial bore 15 in the frusto-conical connector 13.The support pin 24 is prevented from moving out of the slot by an axial anti-lift pin 25 which traverses the slot 23 and engages in a threaded blind bore 26 in the boss 18.

Each fixing arrangement connects together a pair of horizontally adjacent panes of glass 1 at adjacent corners. Thus each pane will be connected to a maximum of four fixing arrangements 6 (one at each corner 4). Once assembled the fixing arrangement 6 permits limited movement of the glass relative to the support structure at the adjacent corners. The glass movement is caused by the freedom of the stud 9 (to which the glass 1 is connected) to pivot within the radial clearances between it and the transverse aperture 8 of the lug 7, and the central apertures 14, 15, 16 of the lock washer 10, gasket 11 and spacer 12. The stud 9 is fixed to the glass via the frustoconical connector 13 and movement of the glass 1 and stud 9 is accommodated by an articulated connection between frusto-conical connector 13 and the spacer 12.The articulated connection is provided by the concave surface 16 of the frusto-connector being able to move over the convex surface 17 of the spacer 12. As adjacent glass panes 1 are mounted on a common stud 9, movement of a corner of a glass pane towards or away from the support structure causes corresponding complementary movement of the adjacent glass pane.

When the glazing is assembled, it is important to ensure that the panes of glass on each face of the structure are all substantially co-planar or "flush". This is to ensure that the glazing assembly is sufficiently aligned to provide adequate integrity in the form of sealing, wind load deflection and general weather resistance. The glazing assembly is assembled by first clamping the fixing arrangement 6 (except the boss 18) to the support structure in approximately the desired orientation. This is achieved by screw tightening the frusto-conical connection 13 against spacer 12 on the threaded part of the stud 9. The frusto-conical connector 13 is provided with flats (not shown) by which it can be so tightened with a spanner of the like.

Each pane 1 is fitted with a boss 18 at each corner 4 and is mounted on the fixing assembly 6 by hooking each boss 18 over its corresponding support pin 24 so that the latter is received in the slot 25. Each glass pane 1 is prevented from being lifted off the support pin 24 by wind or other means by inserting the anti-lift pin 25 in the boss 18. The articulated fixing arrangement is then unclamped as necessary to permit the pane of glass 1 to be manoeuvred through fine adjustment into co-planar alignment with adjacent panes. When correct alignment is achieved the fixing arrangement 6 is clamped to prevent further articulation. Once the glazing assembly has been erected and sealed the anti-lift pin 25 may be removed if desired.

The lock washer 10 may be pinned to the support lug 7 by means of a pin 27 to prevent slippage of the fixing assembly 6 relative to the lug 7.

Once assembled and clamped the glazing assembly permits limited deflection of the glass 1 relative to the support structure 2 when subject wind load or other load.

The deflection is permitted by each boss 18 being able to rotate on the support pin 24.

It will be appreciated that glass panes at the edges of the glazing assembly will not be connected to an adjacent glass pane. Figures 5 to 7 illustrate a fixing arrangement which is used with such end panes. Many of the components are identical to those previously described and like reference numerals are used.

An edge 30 of the glass pane I is positioned adjacent the lug 7 of the support structure 2 and is supported on one side of the lug 7 by the frusto-conical connector 13 and spacer 12 arrangement described above. On the other side of the lug 7 (where there is no glass pane) the frusto-conical connector 13 is replaced with a terminal nut 31 having a similar concave surface 32. The arrangement permits articulation of the fixing arrangement and tilting of the glass as described before.

The possibility of fine adjustment to the position of the glass panes provides flexibility in the assembly of the glazing in that offsets caused by the accumulation of the dimension tolerances in the respective components and their relative positions can easily be accommodated without the need to compensate for the offset by adding packing shims or other components in the fixing assembly or by bending the support structure.

Moreover, the present invention provides for easy replacement of a broken or damaged glass pane. The broken pane is, or its remains are, simply removed and a replacement pane is fitted with bosses, hooked onto the fixing arrangement, adjusted and clamped as described above.

It will be appreciated that numerous modifications to the above described design may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim. For example, each glass pane may be connected to the support structure by fixing assemblies at intermediate positions along its length in addition to or instead of those at the corners. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the support structure can be of any suitable configuration and the lug may be replaced with a flange or the like. Moreover, the frusto-conical connection may be of any convenient shape provided it has an arcuate surface complementary to that of the spacer such that articulation is allowed.

Claims

CLAI

1. A fixing assembly for connecting a building panel to a support structure, the fixing assembly comprising a clamp for clamping the building panel to the support structure, wherein the clamp comprises a first part connectable to the building panel and a second part connectable to the support structure, the clamp being articulated so that when in an unclamped condition the first and second parts are moveable relative to one another to permit the building panel to be clamped in a desired position relative to the support structure.

2. A fixing assembly according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a stud on which the clamp is mounted, the stud being connected to the second part of the clamp.

3. A fixing assembly according to claim 2, wherein in use the stud is received in an aperture in a planar element of the support structure, which element extends generally perpendicular to the building panel.

4. A fixing assembly according to claim 3, wherein the aperture in the planar element of the support structure is greater in size than the stud so that the latter may move relative thereto.

5. A fixing assembly according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the first part of clamp comprises a member having a concave surface and the second part of clamp comprises a member with a convex surface.

6. A fixing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the convex and concave surfaces of the clamp members are in abutment.

7. A fixing assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein in an unclamped condition the concave surface of the second part of the clamp is moveable over the convex surface of the first part of the clamp so that the stud and building panel can move relative to the support structure.

8. A fixing assembly according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein in a clamped condition the second part of the clamp is clamped against the first part of the clamp to prevent relative movement of the convex and concave surfaces and therefore movement of the building panel relative to the support structure.

9. A fixing assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the first part of the clamp member is a spacer on which the convex surface is defined, the spacer being adjacent to the support structure and held in a position fixed relative thereto.

10. A fixing assembly according to claim 9, wherein the spacer is substantially hemispherical.

11. A fixing assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the second part of the clamp is a connecting member on which a concave surface is defined, the connecting member being connected in use to the building panel.

12. A fixing assembly according to claim 11, wherein the connecting member is frusto-conical with an axial aperture by which it is connected to the stud.

13. A fixing assembly according to any preceding claim, comprising an intermediate washer which in use is pinned to the support structure to prevent slippage of the clamp relative thereto.

14. A fixing assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein one end of the second part of the clamp is connected to the stud and the other end connected to a pin to which the building panel is connectable by means of a boss.

15. A fixing assembly according to claim 14, wherein the boss is rotatable on the pin so that limited deflection of the building panel under load is accommodated.

16. A fixing assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 15, wherein the second part of the clamp is threadedly connected to the stud.

17. A glazing assembly comprising at least one glass panel connected to a support structure by means of a fixing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. A glazing assembly claim 17, wherein there are a plurality of glass panels and adjacent panels share a common stud of the fixing assembly, each end of the stud being connected to a respective glass panel.

19. A glazing assembly according to claim 18, wherein the glass panels are connected to the support structure adjacent each panel corner.

20. A glazing assembly according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the glass panels are connected to the support structure adjacent a longitudinal edge.

21. A glazing assembly according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the planar element of the support structure is a lug.

22. A fixing assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. A glazing assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.