GB2346391A

GB2346391A - A method of attaching brackets for solar shading to curtain walling

Info

Publication number: GB2346391A
Application number: GB9902181A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Graham Gent
Original assignee: AVENUE TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Current assignee: AVENUE TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Priority date: 1999-02-02
Filing date: 1999-02-02
Publication date: 2000-08-09
Also published as: GB9902181D0

Abstract

A method of attaching solar shading to curtain walling mullions, using brackets 30 which are fixed to the central elongate stem 14 of a mullion 10, each bracket comprising two parts 31 and 32 having respective first portions 33 which, when the bracket is fixed to the mullion 10, extend along opposite sides of the central elongate stem 14 and in use between two adjacent glazing units (23 Figure 1), the first portions each including a projection 34 which engages with a respective diverging wall portion or recess of the central elongate stem 14 when the two parts are clamped together, and respective second portions 35 which, when the bracket is fixed to the mullion 10, project forwardly of the central elongate stem 14. Solar shading attached to mullions by the described method.

Description

A METHOD OF ATTACHING SOLAR SHADING TO CURTAIN WALLING This invention relates to a method of attaching solar shading to curtain walling and, more particularly, to a curtain walling mullion of the kind having an integral internal glazing bar extending longitudinally along a front face of the mullion, the glazing bar having first and second elongate seal supporting formations on opposite sides of the glazing bar for supporting the sealing elements and a central elongate stem portion projecting forwardly mid-way between the seal support formations, the central elongate stem portion having outwardly diverging wall portions or recesses immediately adjacent to the mullion.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of attaching solar shading to curtain walling mullions of the kind herein defined, comprising the steps of: (a) starting with brackets which are to be fixed to the cental elongate stem, each bracket comprising two parts having respective first portions which, when the bracket is fixed to the mullion, extend along opposite sides of the central elongate stem portion and in use between two adjacent glazing units, the first portions each including a projection which engages with a respective diverging wall portion or recess of the central elongate stem when the two parts are clamped together, and respective second portions which, when the bracket is fixed to the mullion, project forwardly of the central elongate stem, (b) placing the two parts of the bracket in position on opposite sides of the central elongate stem, (c) clamping the two parts of the bracket together with the projections of the first portions of the two parts in engagement with respective diverging wall portions or recesses of the central stem, (d) drilling one or more holes through the first portions of the two parts of the bracket and through the central elongate stem, (e) inserting a connecting member into the or each hole, and (f) connecting solar shading to the brackets.

Preferred and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 5, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided solar shading attached to curtain walling mullions by a method according to the first aspect of the invention.

The solar shading may be of any convenient form, such as louvre constructions, roller blinds or awnings.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a horizontal section taken through a known curtain walling mullion and glazing assembly, Figure 2 is a horizontal section showing how a bracket for supporting solar shading can be attached to the mullion according to the present invention, and Figure 3 is a horizontal section showing the bracket attached to the mullion.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the drawings, the known curtain walling mullion and glazing assembly shown therein is of a type made by Kawneer Europe and comprises a box section mullion 10 having an integral internal glazing bar comprising seal supporting formations 11 and 12 along opposite sides of its front face, which formations support elongate sealing elements 13, and a central elongate stem 14 projecting forwardly mid-way between the formations 11 and 12.

The stem 14 has a U-shaped formation 15 at its free end. The formation 15 defines a groove 16 which receives self-tapping screws 17 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The stem 14 also has outwardly diverging wall portions 24 immediately adjacent to the mullion 10.

The glazing assembly also comprises an external glazing bar 18 having two seal supporting formations 19 and 20 adjacent to each of two opposite edges of the glazing bar 18 and an elongate cap 21 which is snap fittable over the glazing bar 18.

The formations 19 and 20 support two further elongate sealing elements 22.

Glazed units 23, which are typically double glazed panels, are held between the internal and external glazing bars by the self tapping screws 17 which pass through apertures in the glazing bar 18 and engage in the groove 16 of the stem 14 of the internal glazing bar. The elongate cap 21 conceals the heads of the screws 17.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, there is shown therein a bracket 30 formed in two parts 31 and 32. Each part 31,32 has a first portion 33 which, when the bracket is fixed to the mullion, extends along one side of the central elongate stem 14 and in use between two adjacent glazed units 23. The first portions 33 of each part 31,32 are arranged on opposite sides of the elongate stem 14 and each include a projection 34 which engages with a respective diverging wall portion 24 of the elongate stem portion when the two parts 31 and 32 are clamped together.

The two parts 31 and 32 also comprise second portions 35 which, when the bracket is fixed to the mullion project forwardly of the stem 14.

The second portions 35 of the two parts 31 and 32 of each bracket 30 only make contact with each other at a position adjacent to the free end of the central elongate stem 14 and at a position adjacent to the free outer ends of the two parts 31 and 32. This leaves a gap 36 between the second portions 35 intermediate their ends thereby cutting down on the weight of the brackets 30 and allowing a diagonal bracing member (not shown) to pass between the two second portions 35 after chopping off the contacting portions at the free ends of the second portions 35. Ideally, the second portions 35 make contact with or are in very close proximity to the front edge of the stem 14 to give the overall structure more rigidity.

The brackets 30 are fixed to the central elongate stem 14 in the following manner. Firstly, the two parts 31 and 32 of the bracket are placed in position on opposite sides of the central elongate stem 14, as shown in Figure 2. The two parts 31 and 32 of the bracket are then clamped together with the projections 34 of the first portions 33 of the two parts 31 and 32 in engagement with the diverging wall portions 24 of the central stem 14. A clamp screw 38 is used for this purpose. This clamp screw 38 passes through a hole 39 in the part 31 and engages with a threaded hole 40 in the part 32. The clamp screw 38 will hold the bracket 30 in position on the central elongate stem 14 while the bracket is more permanently fixed in position and will, preferably, therafter remain in place.

To more permanently fix the bracket 30 in position, one or more holes 41 are drilled through the first portions 33 of the two parts 31 and 32 and through the central elongate stem 14. A connecting member, typically in the form of a pin 42, is then inserted into the or each hole 41. The pin 42 is inserted as a force fit. Other forms of connecting member could be used.

The cap 21 may be locally notched to extend around the bracket 30 and a mastic seal may be applied between the cap 21 and bracket 30 to prevent ingress of water.

The brackets 30 may be used to support any appropriate form of solar shading including, but not limited to, louvre constructions, roller blinds or awnings.

The brackets 30 can be fitted during the construction of curtain walling or may be retro-fitted to existing constructions.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method of attaching solar shading to curtain walling mullions of the kind herein defined, comprising the steps of: (a) starting with brackets which are to be fixed to the cental elongate stem, each bracket comprising two parts having respective first portions which, when the bracket is fixed to the mullion, extend along opposite sides of the central elongate stem portion and in use between two adjacent glazing units, the first portions each including a projection which engages with a respective diverging wall portion or recess of the central elongate stem when the two parts are clamped together, and respective second portions which, when the bracket is fixed to the mullion, project forwardly of the central elongate $tem, (b) placing the two parts of the bracket in position on opposite sides of the central elongate stem, (c) camping the two parts of the bracket together with the projections of the first portions of the two parts in engagement with respective diverging wall portions or recesses of the central stem, (d) drilling one or more holes through the first portions of the two parts of the bracket and through the central elongate stem, (e) inserting a connecting member into the or each hole, and (f) connecting solar shading to the brackets.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second portions of the two parts of each bracket contact each other when the two parts of the bracket are clamped together.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second portions of the two parts of each bracket only make contact with each other at a position adjacent to the free end of the central elongate stem and at a position adjacent to the free outer ends of the two parts.
4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the two parts of the bracket are clamped together in step (b) using a clamp screw between the second portions of the two parts.
5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting member used in step (e) is a pin force fittable in the or each hole.
6. A method of attaching solar shading to curtain walling mullions of the kind hereinbefore defined, substantially as herçinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
7. Solar shading attached to curtain walling mullions by a method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. Solar shading as claimed in claim 7, in the form of louvre constructions.
9. Solar shading as claimed in claim 7, in the form of roller blinds.
10. Solar shading as claimed in claim 7, in the form of awnings.