GB2401141A

GB2401141A - Glazed wall assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2401141A
Application number: GB0310108A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Clasby
Original assignee: Komfort Office Environments PLC
Current assignee: Komfort Office Environments PLC
Priority date: 2003-05-02
Filing date: 2003-05-02
Publication date: 2004-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-02
Also published as: GB2401141B

Abstract

A glazed wall comprises a plurality of studs 2 to which glazing 1 is attached. A glazing frame is associated with each stud 2, each glazing frame comprises at least one extruded frame member 6 having an elongate arm 8 which lies in contact with the glazing 1 on assembly. Each arm 8 has an open ended recess 14 for hot melt sealant 15 and may have a serrated surface engaging the glazing 1 on assembly. Intumescent material may be provided on the frame members 6 and the glazing 1 may be of toughened or fire safety glass. Each frame member 6 may have a second arm 9 at right angles to the first arm 8 and abutting an adjoining frame member 6 in use. Each stud 2 may comprise two elongate "U" sections 3 connected by facing plates 4. The sections 3 and plates 4 may be of aluminium. The sections 3 and plates 4 may have outwardly projecting catchment members 5. Four identical frame members 6 may be provided between each stud 2 and the glazing 1 attached thereto.

Description

GLAZING APPARATUS

This invention relates to glazed wall assemblies.

In one aspect the invention provides a glazed wall assembly comprising a plurality of partitions some or all of which are glazed, a plurality of upstanding studs to which the partitions are attached and a glazing frame associated with each stud, each glazing frame comprising two or more extruded aluminium or plastics frame members each including an elongate arm which, on assembly of the wall, lies in contact with an inwardly facing end section of a glazed panel of the assembly, each arm being formed with an open-ended recess into which a hot melt sealant can be introduced for bonding the glazed panel to the glazing member and to the assembly.

One or more pieces of intumescent material may be positioned between each glazing frame and the adjoining stud for fire protection purposes.

Each frame member may be generally "L" shaped.

Each frame member may also include a second arm generally normal to the first mentioned arm, the end surface of this second arm abutting an end surface of an adjoining frame member in use.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 are sections taken through two alternative wall assemblies in accordance with the invention; Figures 3 and 4 are side and end views of a frame member which forms part of the wall assemblies shown in Figures 1 and 2; The wall assembly illustrated in Figure 1 includes sheets of toughened glass 1 or modified toughened fire safety glass or borosilicate fire safety glass supported from a plurality of studs 2 (only one of which is shown). Each stud 2 is hollow-sectioned and comprises two elongate "U" sections 3 connected by facing plates 4. The sections 3 and plates 4 may be of aluminium or other suitable material. Each facing plate and stud section is formed with a plurality of outwardly projecting catchment members 5. Each catchment member may be produced by forming cuts in the facing plates and stud sections and bending the plate surfaces bordered by the cuts out of the plane of the respective plate and stud section. The studs extend vertically over the entire height of the wall assembly.

Positioned between each stud and the neighbouring glass sheets is a glazing frame comprising four cooperating frame members 6. One frame member 6 is illustrated most clearly in Figures 3 and 4. All four members are identical and may be extruded from a plastics material.

Each member comprises an arm 8 serrated on one side which engages the inner surface of the adjoining glass sheet 1. Each member also includes a second arm 9 which lies normal to arm 8 and includes an end surface 10 which abuts the equivalent end surface of an adjoining frame member.

The arm 8 includes an extension 11 which projects inwardly towards the stud. The extension is formed with a recess 12 to accommodate the catchment members 5 and a forwardly projecting recess 14 into which, on assembly of the wall, a hot melt bonding material is injected to bond the glass sheets to the wall assembly. This bond 15 is shown in black in the drawings. A screw receptor 16 projects outwardly from the arm 8.

For fire protection purposes, pieces of intumescent material may be adhered to internal surfaces of the glazing frame.

The wall assembly illustrated in Figure 2 is similar to that shown in Figure 1. In the Figure 2 embodiment, however, the stud 2 supports on one side a pair of glass sheets 1 and on its other side an aluminium box section 18 secured to an unglazed wall 19. A layer 20 of rockwool may be positioned within the box section 18. Only two frame members 6 are provided, these being positioned between the glass sheets 1.

Panels 21 of the box section are returned at their ends adjacent the respective stud 2 to define returned sections 22 formed with catchment members or apertures which cooperate with the catchment members 5 of the stud sections 3.

As will be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the surfaces of the adjoining panels are flush one with the other, no frame surfaces for the glazed panels being apparent. As explained above, the glass sheets are retained in place by the bonds 15 between the frame members and the glass sheets.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of wall assemblies in accordance with the invention and that various modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A glazed wall assembly comprising a plurality of partitions some or all of which are glazed, a plurality of upstanding studs to which the partitions are attached and a glazing frame associated with each stud, each glazing frame comprising two or more extruded aluminium or plastics frame members each including an elongate arm which, on assembly of the wall, lies in contact with an inwardly facing end section of a glazed panel of the assembly, each arm being formed with an open- ended recess into which a hot melt sealant can be introduced for bonding the glazed panel to the glazing member and to the assembly.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein one or more pieces of intumescent material are positioned between each glazing frame and the adjoining stud for fire protection purposes.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each frame member is generally "L" shaped.

4. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each frame member includes a second arm generally normal to the first mentioned arm, the end surface of this second arm abutting an end surface of an adjoining frame member in use.

5. An assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the panels include sheets of toughened glass or modified toughened fire safety glass or borosilicate fire safety glass.

6. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each stud is hollow-sectioned and comprises two elongate "U" sections connected by facing plates. g

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the sections and plates are of aluminium.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein each facing plate and stud section is former) with a plurality of outwardly proiect.ng catchment members.

9. An assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein each catchment member is produced by forming cuts In the facing plates and stud sections and bending the plate surfaces bordered by the cuts out of the plane of the respective plate and stud section.

10. An assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the studs extend vertically over the entire height of the wall assembly.

11. An assembly as claimed In any one of the preceding claims wherein a glazing frame comprising four cooperating frame members is positioned between each stud and the neighbouring glass sheets.

12. An assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein all four members are identical and are extruded from a plastics material.

13. An assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein each member comprises an arm serrated on one side which engages the inner surface of the adjoining glazing sheet 1.

14. An assembly as claimed In any one of the preceding claims wherein pieces of ntumescent material may be adhered to internal surfaces of the glazing frame.

15. A glazed wall assembly substantially as herein described and as described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawir;gs.