IES980706A2

IES980706A2 - A retaining system

Info

Publication number: IES980706A2
Application number: IE980706A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Simon Joseph Kenny
Original assignee: Simon Joseph Kenny
Priority date: 1998-05-12
Filing date: 1998-08-31
Publication date: 1998-12-02
Also published as: WO1999058802A1; AU2071399A; GB2337278B; GB9901090D0; IES80702B2; IE990040A1; GB2337278A

Abstract

A retaining system retains double glazing units (1,2) to a transom or mullion (3) of a curtain walling system. The retaining system comprises a number of peripherally spaced-apart clips (15), each having an elongate longitudinally extending slot (16) engageable by a ferrule pin (20). Each pin (20) is fitted through an undersized hole (25) in a retaining profile section (26). Juxtaposed profile sections (26) are fixed to the support (3) by a fixing screw (30). <Fig. 1>

Description

“A RETAINING SYSTEM” Introduction The invention relates to a glazing unit system, especially for use in curtain walling.

In conventional curtain walling systems the glazing units are retained by beads of aluminium. While such known systems are effective the use of such aluminium beads obscures the peripheral edge of the glazing and leads to sight lines that are not aesthetically attractive. In addition, such systems are relatively expensive.

There is therefore a need for an improved glazing system which will overcome these difficulties.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a glazing unit retaining system comprising a retaining clip for insertion between adjacent sheets of a glazing unit, a retaining profile section extending outwardly over the clip and having mounting means for fixing directly or indirectly to a support, and a locking means for extending between the profile section and the retaining clip.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the locking means comprises a locking pin extending between the profile section and a corresponding receiver in the retaining clip.

Preferably the receiver in the retaining clip is an elongate slot.

IE 980706 -2Ideally the pin is engagable through an undersize hole in the retaining section for positive engagement between the pin and the section on insertion through the profile section.

The invention also provides a glazing unit incorporating a retaining system of the invention and a glazing assembly, especially a curtain walling incorporating such glazing units.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a retaining system according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of part of the retaining system; Fig. 3 is an exploded view of part of the retaining system; Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a detail of the retaining system; Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of an alternative construction of retaining system; Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of another retaining system according to the invention; Fig. 7 is perspective view of part of the retaining system of Fig. 6; IE 980706 -3Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a retaining clip used in the retaining system of Figs. 6 and 7; Fig. 9 is a side view of the retaining clip; Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the retaining clip; Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view on the line A-A in Fig. 10; and Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view on the line B-B in Fig. 10.

Detailed Description Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 4 thereof there is illustrated a retaining system for retaining in this case double glazing units 1, 2 to a support 3 such as a transom or mullion of a curtain walling system. Each glazing unit 1, 2 in this case comprises inner and outer sheets 5, 6 of glass which are separated by a standard spacer bar 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 extends around the outer periphery of the spacer bar 7 and between the clips 15. Preferably the clips 15 are inserted into the seal 10.

Retaining means for retaining the glazing units 1, 2 is provided by a number of peripherally spaced-apart retaining clips 15, each having an elongate longitudinally extending slot 16 engagable by a ferrule pin 20. The slot 16 provides a tolerance for ease of location, on fixing of the pin 20. Each pin 20 is fitted through an undersized hole 25 in a retaining profile section 26, juxtaposed profile sections being fixed to the support 3 by a fixing screw 30 which engages in a nose part 32 of the support 3. Each pin 20 includes a chamfered leading portion 29 which, in use, is engaged in the associated hole 25. The pin 20 is then forced through the hole 25, the knurled outer surface of the pin biting into the aluminium IE 980706 -4around the hole 25 to firmly secure the pin 20 in position. The pin 20 is extended in this way through the profile section 26 and into the associated slot 16 in the retaining clip 15. It will be noted that the profile sections 26 extend outwardly in this case to the plane of the outer face of the glass sheets 5. A seal 40 is provided between each section 26 and the associated sheet 5. The profile sections 26 may be secured directly or indirectly to the associated support 3.

The retaining system is of simple cheap construction and is readily fitted. Most importantly, because of the configuration of the profile sections extending onwardly the sight lines at the joint between adjacent glazing units are optimised as a minimum area at the marginal edges of the glass sheets 5, 6 are occluded by non-transparent material.

Referring to Fig. 5 there is illustrated part of another retaining system according to the invention in which parts similar to those described above are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case the sight lines are further improved by extending the outer glass sheet 5 so that it also covers the profile section 25.

Referring 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 the retaining clip 50 has a base 51, a pair of side walls 52, and a pair of end walls 53. The outer faces of the end walls 53 are inclined inwardly for ease of positive engagement in the sealing material 10. Side flanges 55 extend laterally at the outer face of the clip 50 for engagement, in use, with the edges of the sheets of glass 5,6. This ensures that the retaining clips 50 are accurately aligned, on fitting as the depth to which the clips 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 retaining clip 50 with the seal 10. The rib or ribs 58 are in this case of general semi-circular shape in transverse cross section. However, they may be of any suitable shape or indeed, keying may be provided by additional ribs and/or slots.

IE 980706 -5Many variations on the specific embodiments described will be readily apparent and accordingly the invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in detail.

Claims

1. A glazing unit retaining system comprising a retaining clip for insertion between adjacent sheets of a glazing unit, a retaining profile section extending outwardly over the clip and having mounting means for fixing directly or indirectly to a support, and a locking means for extending between the profile section and the retaining clip.

2. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking means comprises a locking pin extending between the profile section and a corresponding receiver in the retaining clip, preferably the receiver in the retaining clip is an elongate slot.

3. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in claim 2 and 3 wherein the locking pin is engagable through an undersize hole in the retaining section for positive engagement between the pin and the section on insertion through the profile section, preferably the pin includes a lead-in chamfered portion for initial engagement in the hole of the profile section, preferably the outer surface of the pin is knurled for positive engagement between the profile section and the pin.

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

5. A glazing assembly, especially a curtain walling, including a number of the glazing units of claim 4.