GB2337278A - Glazing unit retention for curtain walling systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A glazing unit retaining system retains glazing units (1,2) to a support (3) of a curtain walling system. The glazing units comprise at least two sheets of glass (eg 5,6) separated by a spacer bar (7). An outer seal (10) extends around the periphery of the unit into which are set a number of retaining inserts (15) to receive ferrule pins (20) which pass through undersized holes (25) in a retaining profile section (26), thereby fixing the glazing units to the support. The profile section is fixed to the support by a fixing screw (30).

Description

2337278 "-& Re 5"temn Intrgduction The invention relates to a idlazt unit

system, especially for use in curtain W In conventional curtain wafflin %V the mg units are retained by beads of alununium extendmg around the pedphery thereof While such known systems are effiective the use of such 2limhun beads obs=es the perip edge of the glazmg and leads to sight lines tha are not aesthetically attractive. In addition, such systems are relatively exve and ddficult to install.

WO-A-95/13439 describes a Ido unit comprising glass sheets which are said to be anchored to a support by n elements. A protector elements has a Ushaped portion that eds a the edge of the inner pane and it placed to assi.st in spreading a sealing c= between the panes.

is EP-A-628672 describes a 0azing mft in which fixing elements are embedded in a sealing material between adjazbss plates. The fixing element has a hooklike projection which is engaged in a " formed in the extemal. glass sheet.

OB-A-21671 10 dewrgm a'idi unit in which a channel shaped member is engaged m the edge of double 9 sh". A holder is used to fix the channel shaped member in place. An material is provided between the head of the holder and the channel shaped Menihers.

WOA-87-06644 A desc a unit in which a resilient me is received between glass sheen and prcq" beyond the plates for anchoring to a building- There are several problem with such conventional arrangements. in part,, bemuse of the fixing means used it is generally not possible to guarantee the tY Of the seal. In addition, thew system are generally not practical as they require modifications to the glass andlor are difficult to fit effictively. Further, the retaming force is not vely distd m most cases.

This invention is the directed towards providing a glazing assembly which will overcome at least some of these problems and which may consequently be used in a wide range of applications, especially for curtain walling.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a Blazing unit retaining system Ibr a unit having at least two sheets of glass, adjacent sheets being separated by a spacer means comprising an inner spacer bar and an outer seal extending around the periphery of the spacer bar and between the sheets of, the retaining system comprising a plurality of peripherally spaced-apart retaining inser for insertian into the outer seal, a glazing frame profile section extending outwardly over the mserts and having mounting means for fixing directly or indirectly to a support, and locking means for extending between the glazing profile section and laterally adjacent retaining inserts.

The retaining system is of simple cheap construction and is readily fitted. Because a glazing frame profile section extends outwardly ffle sight lines at the joint between adjacent units are optimised as a minimum area of the mar edges of the gass sheets are occluded by non-transparent material. An architectural recess feature may thereby be provided. A cleaner glass fa. :ade may also be provided because water does not wash directly from an upper pane to a lower pane. Therefore, less s develop.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the lodeing means comprises a lodmg pm extm between the glazmg profile section and a corresponding receiver m the re msert.

Pref=bly the receiver in the r t is an elongate slot.

Ideally, the locking pm is eng through an undersize hole in the glazing profile section for positive engagen= between the pm and the section on insertion through the profile.

Preferably the pin includes a had-in chamfered portion for initial engagement in the hole of the profile section.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the outer surface of the pin is knurled for positive engagement between the profile section and the pin.

Most preferably the fixipg insert is a mug fit to the faces of the adjacent sh" of glass.

This is particularly important as bemuse an insert is substantially flush with the inner kees of the glass sheets it is cuily fitted the integrity of sealing is emured with maximum wind force resLn and load force transfir.

Ideally, the fixing insert is of a ruterial to transmit a load of the glass. The fixing inserts may be of plasties or nylon nl.

Thew features are particularly tmt m prowdmg inserts of relanvely cheap consistent construction which fa load transfer to the glass- In a preferred arrangement the fixing insert has a base wall section, side wall and end wall sections whicli define the slot for receiving the locidng pin.

Ilhis construction of insert is particularly advantageous as in a relatively simple moulded pie= on ve ffiding is provided.

In one embodment of the invention the fi=g insert indudes limiting means for limiting the insertion of the insert into the outer seal. ibis may be advantageous in some cases to avoid over insertion into the outer seaL The limiting means preferably com a sidewardly extending flange means. The flange Twy be continuous or interrupted.

In one embodiment of the invention the fixmg insert includes guide mews fbr guiding the insertion of the hwat into the outer seal.

ne guide means may con side ribs extending sidewardIy of the fixing msertllic body of &c insert may -lbc shaped for example with m surfam to facilitate case of on.

The support may be a undliog.og nunsom of a curtain walling system. Ilic glazing assembly is par % to such a system.

is The invention also provides a c walling comprising a plurality of 9 assemblies of the inventim I'he invention also pro a unit incorporating a retaining system of the invention and a glazing as, ey a curtain walling incorporating such glazing units.

Brief Desjc-d-lpdo--n- of the niffidan The invention will be more M understood from the following description thereof given by way of only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a cross secdon of a retaining system according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a peve dpart of the retaining system- Fig. 3 is an exploded YM4Vdpart of the retaining system; Fig. 4 is an devational view of a detail of the retaining systern; ffi-- Fig- 5 is a cross sectional view of an alternative construction of retadning system; Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of another retaining systern according to the invention; Fig. 7 is perspective view of part of the retaining system of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a retaining insert used in the reg system of Figs. 6 and 7; Fig. 9 is a side view of the retaining insert; Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the retaining insert, Is Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view on the line A-A in Fi& 10; and Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view on the line B-B in Fig- 10.

Detailed Desginti lo Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 4 thereof there is Mustrated a retming system for retaming m this case double glazing units 1. 2 to a support 3 such as a transom or mullion of a curtain waIIing system. Each gg unit 1, 2 in this case comprises inner and outer sheets 5, 6 of which are separated by a standa d spacerbar 7. The spacer bar 7 may have primary seals (not shown) of polyisobutylene between side marginal edges and the glass sheets 5, 6. An outer secondary seal 10 enends around the outer periphery of the spacer bar 7 and between the sheets of glass 5, 6. The outer seal 10 is formed by injecting a curable silicone rubber sealant to fill the gap between the outer face of the spacer bar 7 and the outer edges of the sheets of glass 5, 6. A suitable seal is, fbr example, that sold under the name ElastosR 500 (Esil is a registered trademark of Wacher- Chemie GmbH). It is a non condensation cross-linking, two-put silicone rubber with a high mechanical s and resistance to weathering.

is A plurality of peripherally spac retaining inserts 15 are inserted into the outer seal 10 leaving a ofo seal between the spacer bar 7 and the inserts IS. 11fis ensures the h of &c seal 10. The seal 10 is not removed back to the spacer bar 5 but a of acal is retained between the spacer bar 6 and the ffidng insert 50.

Each retaining n 15 has an elongate longitudinally extendmg slot 16 cupgable by a ferrule pin 20. The slot 16 provides a tolerance for case of location, on fixing of the pin 20.

Each pm 20 is fitted through &4,wWcrs=d hole 25 in a retaining profile section 26, juxtaposed profile sections fixed to the support 3 by a fixing screw 30 which engages in a nose part 32 of the s 3. Each pin 20 includes a chairnf=d leading portion 29 whi in us ei, is engaged in the associated hole 25.

The pin 20 is then ffirced throto tbe hole 25, the knurled outer surface of die pin biting into the aluminium a the hole 25 to firmly w=e the pin 20 m position. The pin 20 is'edwd,#- this way through the profile section 26 and into the associated slot 16 in do UUMM8 insert 15. It will be noted that the profile sections 26 c an in this case to the plane of the outer ffice of 00 the glass sheets 5. A " 4t A"vided between each section 26 and the associated sheet 5. lle 26 may he secured directly or indirectly to the associated support 3.

The retaining SYStem is of Simp construMon and is readily fitted. Most importantly, because of the of the profile sections extending outwardly the sight lines at dwj' 09]Mween Aacent glazing units are optirnised as a minimum area at the ma edges of the glass sheets 5, 6 are occluded by non-transparent material- The invention provides a system m which glass is retained to a frame profile without the use of flame fixed beads to the front of the glass and without the need to use stru bonding silicone between the inneT face of the glass.

Ilie preferred gasket 80 is shown in Fig. s. In Fig. 6 a bonding tape 82 of silicone is used.

The g[azing system may include sashes which can be fixed and hung by hinges; and openable.

R6ming to Fig. 5 there is inusuated part of another retaining sy according to the invention in which parts sinulu to those described above are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case the sight lines are fimher improved by extending the outer glass sheet 5 so that it also covers the profile section 26.

RekTring to Figs. 6 to 12 there is illustrated another retaining system according to the invention which is similar to the retaining system described above, like parts being assigned the same reference numerals. In this case ireg insert 50 has a base 51, a pair of side walls 52, and a pair of end walls 53. The outer fitces of the end walls 53 are inclined inwardly fbr case of positive engagement in the scaling materW 10. Side flanges 55 extend laterally at the outer face of the insert 50 for engagement, in use, with the edges of the sheets of glass 5, 6. Ilis ensuxes that the retaining insert 50 are accurately aligned, on fitting as the depth to which the insert 50 can penetrate the seal 10 is thereby limited. In addition, the outer face of each side wall 52 includes projecting ribs 58 to more positively key the rem insert 50 with the glass. The rib or ribs 58 are in this case of general semi-circular shape in transy= cross section. However, they may be of any suitable shape or indeed, keying may be provided by additional ribs andlor slots.

0 It may be possible to fbrm slots 15 in the outer seal 10, befbre it has cured, by inserting an appropriately forming tool into the body of the seal 10 leaving the desired fixing insert receiving slots 15 on curing of the seal.

Many variations on the dimmts described will be readily apparent and accordingly the inventionAs not limited to the embodiments huore described which may be varied in.

4R -1k AL

Claims (20)

1. A glazing unit retaining s fbr a g unit having at least two sheen Of glass, a4jacCnt Sh" being separated by a spacer mearts comprising an ilimer SPacer bar and an outer seal extending around the periphery of the spacer bar and between the sh" of, the retaining syst= comprising a plurality of peppherally spaced-apart retaining inserts for on mto the ouux seal, a glazing fk-ame profile section exteriding outwardly over the inserts and having mounting means for fixing directly or indirectly to a suppoM and lodmg means fbr extending between the glazing profile section and lateraIly adjacent retaining.

2. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking means comprises a loddng pin extending between the g profile section and a corresponding receiver in the retaining insert.

A g unit retmffig system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the receiver in the retaining insert is an elongate slot.

4- A glazing unIt retaining system as claimed in d= 2 or 3 wherein the locldng pin is engagable through an undersize hole in the glazing profile section for positive engagement between the pin and the section on insertion through the profile section.

5. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the pin includes a lead-in chamfered portion for initial engagement in the hole of dhe profile section.

6- A ing unit retaining system as d in any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the outer surflace of the pin is knurled for positive engagement between the profile section and the pin.

1

7. A g unit retaining rj as claimed m any preceding claim wherein each retaining bLiat is a m" fit to the faces of the aitacent sheets of glass.

8. A glazing unit ret cylew as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the retaining inserts are oft rterial to transmit a load to the glass.

9. A glazing unit remining s as claimed in claim 8 wherein the retaining inserts are of p nm.

10- A g unit rcu q as claimed in claim 8 wherein the retaining inserts are of nylon ma

11. A glazing unit rcut s as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the retaining h has a base wall section, side wall and end wall sections which define a slot for r the locldng means.

is

12. A glazing unit r as claimed in any preceding clairn wherein the retaining inset inch limitin means for limiting the insertion of the insert into the outer seaL

13. A glazing unit re 5 as claimed in claim 12 wherein the limiting me= comprises a o=ding flange means-

14. A g unit rcM a as cl in any preceding agim wherein the retaining insert h means for gg the insertion of the insert into the outu suL

15. A g unit =U as cld in clairn 14 where-in the guide means corn side rU--:-- l l. 1 1 W sidcy of the retaining insert

16. A glazing unit retaining s as claim d. in any preceding claim wherein the s is a mullion or transom of a curtain walling system.

17. A glazing unit retaining system substantially as hereinbeffire described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A glazing unit incorporating a retaining system as claimed in any preceding claim.

19.A gb assembly including a number of the g units of claim 18.

20. A curtain waning including a number of the glazing units of claim 18.