GB2435652A

GB2435652A - Walling system

Info

Publication number: GB2435652A
Application number: GB0703713A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Rawlings
Original assignee: Architectural and Metal Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Architectural and Metal Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2006-03-02
Filing date: 2007-02-27
Publication date: 2007-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-27
Also published as: GB2435652B; GB0703713D0; IE20060153A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a walling system and comprises a plurality of pressure plates 32, panels 10 and frame components 12 mounted to the mullions or transoms 16 of a building. The frame components are secured to the pressure plates and arranged so that they are associated with two adjacent panel components. The frame components are preferably secured to the pressure plates by a snap fit. The pressure plates, transoms, mullions and frame components all preferably carry seals 22, 36 and 46 to seal against the panel components. The panels may be glazed, aluminum skinned insulated panels or a combination of both.

Description

I

Walling System This invention relates to a walling system.

A number of semi-structural walling systems are known in which the transoms and mullions of a building carrying a series of structural frames. The frames may be glazed and may be fixed or capable of opening. Alternatively, one or more of the frames may carry a panel, for example an aluminium skinned, insulated panel. This style of walling system has become popular with building designers and architects. Although fairly popular, this type of walling system has the disadvantage that the process of securing each individual frame in position is relatively timeconsuming and complex. Until such time as the last of the frames is fitted, the building is not weatherproof and so internal work within the building often has to be delayed until such time as the frames have all been fitted.

Much simpler curtain walling systems are known in which some of the disadvantages of semi-structural systems are avoided. However, the known curtain walling systems are generally less popular with architects and other designers.

It is an object of the invention to provide a walling system having many of the benefits of curtain walling but benefiting from the enhanced appearance of semi-structural walling.

According to the present invention there is provided a walling system comprising a plurality of pressure plates securable to the mullions and/or transoms of a building to secure panel components thereto, and a plurality of frame components securable to the pressure plates, at least one of the pressure plates being arranged to have the frame components associated with two adjacent panel components secured thereto.

Conveniently the frame components are arranged to be snap-fitted to the associated pressure plates.

It will be appreciated that such a walling system is relatively quick to assemble, and that as the building is weatherproof before the frame components are fitted, interior work can commence before the exterior work has been completed.

The panel components may comprise glazed panels, aluminium skinned insulated panels, or combinations thereof. Where glazed panels are used, the panels may be fixed or intended to form openable windows.

Conveniently the pressure plates, transoms and mullions carry seals to seal against the panel components. Additional seals may be provided on the frame components to seal against the panel components and against adjacent frame components to enhance the wealherproofmg of the walling system. In addition, the thermal insulating properties, soundproofing and the damping of vibrations may be enhanced.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view illustrating a walling system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional representation illustrating part of the system of Figure 1.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is illustrated part of a wall constructed using the walling system of an embodiment of the invention. The walling system comprises a series of panels 10 which, in this case, comprise glazed units. Although fixed glazed units are illustrated, the panels 10 may fonn operable windows or opaque walls. The panels 10 are secured to a series of appropriately positioned mullions and transoms by pressure plates described in greater detail hereinafter. Frame components 12 of dimensions substantially equal to the outer dimensions of the panels 10 are secured to the pressure plates giving the appearance that the panels 10 are housed within square or rectangular frame structures of which the frame components 12 form part.

Seals 14 are provided between adjacent frame components 12.

The appearance of the walling system illustrated in Figure I is very similar to the appearance of semi-structural type walling systems.

Referring next to Figure 2 there is illustrated a mullion or transom 16 of extruded form. The mullion or transom 16 includes a region 18 of generally box-like form from which extends a pair of limbs 20, each of which carries a seal member 22. Each seal member 22 bears against an inner surfitce 24 of an associated one of the panels 10.

The transom or mullion 16 further includes a projection 26 provided with an opening 28 adapted to receive a screw-threaded bolt 30. The bolt 30 is used to secure a pressure plate 32 to the transom or mullion 16. A thermally insulating spacer 34 is located between the pressure plate 32 and transom or muffion 16 to provide a thermal break therebetween.

As illustrated, the pressure plate 32 carries a pair of seal member 26 each of which is adapted to sealingly engage the exterior surface 38 ofan associated one of the panels 10.

The manner in which the pressure plate 32 is secured to the transom or mullion 16 is such that the associated panels 10 are clamped between the seals 22, 36 thereby rigidly securing the panels 10 to the transom or mullion 16.

S

The pressure plate 32 further defines a pair of elongate channels 40 into which snap-fit connector members 42 are snap-fitted, the snap-fit connector members 42 further being snap-fitted into recesses 44 formed in the frame components 12 so as to secure the frame components 12 to the associated pressure plate 32. The frame components 12 each carry lateral seal members 14 which, as illustrated in Figure 2, overlap one another thereby forming a substantially weatherproof seal between adjacent ones of the frame components 12. The frame components 12 further carry seal member 46 which sealingly engage against the external surfaces 38 of the panels 10 to seal the frame components 12 to the panels 10.

In use, in order to instal the walling system, the pressure plates 32 are bolted to the transoms and mullions 16 using the screw-threaded bolts 30 to secure the associated the panels lOin position. It will be appreciated that by virtue of the seals 36, 22, installation of the panels 10 results in the building being substantially weatherproof at a fairly early stage in the construction process. Once the building is weatherproof, internal fitting of the building can commence. At a subsequent point in time, the frame components 12 can be secured to the associated pressure plates 32 using the snap-fit connectors 42. The frame components 12 preferably arrive on site prthbricated into square or rectangular frame-like structures which are simply snap-fitted into position. Although preferably the frame components arrive in the form of square or rectangular frame-like structures, it will be appreciated that it will also be possible to use the invention in arrangements in which individual frame components are snap-fitted into position and only form a frame-like structure once fitted. Once the frame components 12 have been fitted it will be appreciated that the walling system has substantially the appearance ofa semi-structural walling system.

The provision of the lateral seals 14 and the seals 46 further enhance the weatherproofing of the walling system and additionally serve to reduce the transmission of sound or vibrations.

It will be appreciated that a range of modifications or alterations to the walling system may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the shape of the frame components 12 may be modified.

Claims

CLAIMS

I. A walling system comprising a plurality of pressure plates securable to the mullions and/or transoms of a building to secure panel components thereto, and a plurality of frame components securable to the pressure plates, at least one of the pressure plates being arranged to have the frame components associated with two adjacent panel components secured thereto.

2. A system according to Claim 1, wherein the frame components are arranged to be snap-fitted to the associated pressure plates.

3. A system according to Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the panel components comprise glazed panels, aluminium skinned insulated panels or combinations thereof.

4. A system according to any of Claims I to 3, wherein the pressure plates, transoms and mullions carry seals to seal against the panel components.

5. A system according to Claim 4, further comprising additional seals provided on the frame components to seal against the panel components and against adjacent frame components to enhance the weatherproofing of the walling system.