SE1451229A1 - A tool and a locking bracket for mounting façade elements on a building and a façade element - Google Patents

Abstract

18 ABSTRACT The present invention relates to a tool, a locking bracket for mounting andsecuring a façade element (2) in two vertical profiles (6) mounted on a buildingstructure. The mounting tool (30; 33) is configured to cooperate with a locking bracket(28) adapted to be fastened onto the vertical profiles (6) and has a plate-like shape, thelower part of which has a projected face section (50), which is divided by a verticallyelongated slot (58) eXtending in a vertical direction and having an open front, an openupper end (62) and lower end forming a basis (60), said vertically elongated slot (58)being adapted to receive and guide a guiding pin (22) provided on the façade element(2) into the basis (60). The guiding pin (22) is further guided by a tool (30; 33), ofwhich at least some part is pivotable to allow upwards passage of the guiding pin (22)as the façade element (2) is hoisted, said at least some part of the tool (30; 33) beingarranged such that it pivots back to its resting position when the guiding pin (22) hasupwardly passed the tool (30g33). Fig. 4

Description

A TOOL AND A LOCKING BRACKET FOR MOUNTING FAQADE ELEMENTSON A BUILDING AND A FAQADE ELEMENT Technical field of the invention The present invention relates to a tool and a locking bracket for mounting afaçade element to a building, such as a multi- storey building. The present invention also relates to a façade element designed to cooperate with such a tool and locking bracket.

Background Multi- storey buildings can be constructed in a variety of ways. Common to allmulti-storey buildings, however, is a façade element. The façade element can beconstructed to constitute an integral part of the building as a load bearing component orit may only serve as a weather protective layer. There may of cause also be differentcombinations of façade elements with load bearing properties and weather protectivelayers. If the façade element only is used as a weather protective layer to seal thebuilding then it is usually formed as a plate. In such a case the multi- story buildingcomprises a building structure onto which the plate formed façade elements areattached.

It is common that the façade elements arrive at the working site on pallets.These pallets are then off-loaded by a tower crane, a mobile crane, a site hoist or thelike and lifted to the floor of the multi- story building on which they are to be mounted.This step of lifting and installing façade elements is one of the most time consumingtasks when a new multi-story building is built. Thus, by reducing this time it is possible to reduce the overall time it takes to complete the whole multi- story building.

WO2010070082 discloses a method and a system for mounting façadeelements which substantially reduces the time to unload, lift and mount façade elementson a building structure of a multi-story building. In this method façade elements arehoisted whilst inserted in slots of guiding rails mounted on the building structure, i.e.the vertical edges of the façade element will run in slots while hoisted. This will makethe hoisting procedure less sensitive to weather conditions, such as wind, since thefaçade elements run steadily in the slots. The guiding-rails are mounted on the building structure all the way up to the floor that is beneath the floor to be mounted, i.e. with this method the façade elements are mounted from the bottom and up. When the façadeelements have reached the floor on which they are to be mounted they have a horizontaldistance to the building structure onto which they are to be mounted. Thus, the façadeelement needs to be pushed in a horizontal direction towards the building. This may be done in different ways.

WO2011073026 discloses a tool for mounting façade elements onto a building.The tool is arranged to move façade elements horizontally towards the building. Thetool comprises a component which moves the element from a position in an outer rail toa final position in an inner rail. The tool moves the façade element by using a memberwhich, when the element is lowered, engages the element, rotates and subsequentlydisplaces the member horizontally. This tool is very effective and comprises multiplemoving parts including springs and cam-like members which rotate to push the façadeelement into place. The tool is preferably fixed to the guiding rails mounted on thebuilding structure and is operated manually from the floor above the floor onto which the façade element is to be mounted.

Even if the mounting method described in WO2010070082 together with thetool described in WO2011073026 are very effective and have substantially improvedthe time it takes to mount façade elements, there is still room for further improvements,especially for a tool that further enhances the horizontal movement of the façade element to its final mounting position.

Summary of the invention An object with embodiments of the present invention is to provide an improvedmounting tool, a mounting bracket and façade element which facilitates the mounting of façade elements.

According to a first aspect of the invention the object may be achieved by atool for mounting and securing a façade element in two vertical profiles mounted on abuilding structure. The façade element comprises guiding pins at its vertical edgeswhich are adapted to be received by the mounting tool. The mounting tool is configured to cooperate with a locking bracket, which is provided in the vertical profiles and has a plate-like shape. The lower part of the locking bracket has a projected face section,which is divided by a vertically elongated slot eXtending in a vertical direction andhaving an open front, an open upper end and a lower end forrning a basis. The verticallyelongated slot is adapted to receive and guide the guiding pin to the basis. Furthermore,the projected face section is provided with a shelf adapted to support the tool. The tool,when in use, eXtends away from the façade element and has a length such that when thefaçade element is hoisted up to a position above its installation position the guiding pinabuts a lower side of the tool and pivots at least part of said tool from a resting positionto allow upwards passage of the guiding pin as the façade element is further hoisted.Said at least part of the tool is arranged such that it pivots back to its resting positionwhen the guiding pin has passed the tool upwardly.

In an eXemplary embodiment the mounting tool is pivotally attached to thelocking bracket. The mounting tool may further be attached in a mounting recess of theprojected face section of the locking bracket, which mounting recess forms a first seat adapted to receive and support the tool in its resting position.

The mounting tool may further comprise a lower end which cooperates with asecond seat of the projected face section of the locking bracket, such that the tool islocked in a vertical position when the guiding pin of the façade element rests against thebasis of the vertically elongated slot. Preferably the lower end projects into the lower end of the vertically elongated slot when it is in its locked vertical position.

In another eXemplary embodiment the upper part of the tool may comprise aslit extending substantially parallel with the upper side of the tool and ending with athrough hole, said slit dividing the upper part of the tool into an upper pivotable part and lower fixed part.

In another eXemplary embodiment the mounting tool is rigidly connected to thelocking bracket and may also be provided with a handle for easy attachment to the vertical profiles. In order to further facilitate the attachment of the to the vertical profiles the handle may comprise mushroom shaped screw heads adapted to slide in dogleg shaped channels of the vertical profiles.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the object may beachieved by a locking bracket, configured to cooperate with the mounting toolaccording to the first aspect, for mounting and securing a façade element in two verticalprofiles mounted on a building structure. The façade element comprising guiding pins atvertical edges of the façade element. The locking bracket has a plate-like shape, thelower part of which has a projected face section, which in tum is divided by a verticallyelongated slot. The slot eXtends in a vertical direction and has an open front, an openupper end and a lower end forming a basis. The vertically elongated slot is adapted toreceive and guide the guiding pin to the basis and the projected face section is provided with a shelf adapted for supporting the tool.

In preferred embodiments the open upper end of the projected face section ofthe locking bracket may be tapered to enhance the guiding movement. Furthermore thelocking bracket may be provided with grooves at its vertical sides, said grooves being adapted for receiving flanges provided on the vertical profiles.

According to a third aspect of the present invention the object may be achievedby a façade element comprising at least two guiding pins at two vertical edges thereofand adapted to be guided by a mounting tool according to the first aspect and receivedby a locking bracket according to the second aspect. ln preferred embodiments thefaçade element may furtherrnore be provided with guiding blocks on the same verticalline as the guiding pins, but having a horizontal extension that is larger than the diameter of the guiding pins.

By using the mounting tool, the locking bracket and the façade elementaccording to the present invention the mounting time for mounting façade elements on a building structure may be substantially reduced.

Brief description of drawings The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 elements onto a multi- story building, is a schematic view for describing the basic method for mounting façade Fig.2 adapted to interact with the mounting tool and the locking bracket, shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a façade element Fig. 3elements held by a vertical profile of a first type and a third façade element supported shows a cross sectional View, along line A-A in figure 1, of two façade by a Vertical profile of a second type, Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the cooperation between the mounting tool andthe locking bracket when the locking bracket is attached to the vertical profile of thefirst type, Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of the locking bracket, Fig. 6 shows an enlarged view of the mounting tool according to a firstembodiment, Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of the mounting tool and the locking bracket according to a second embodiment, and Fig. 8during the final mounting stage of the façade element to the multi-story building. shows step by step how the mounting tool interacts with the façade element Detailed description of the embodiments Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail belowwith reference to the accompanying drawings in order for those skilled in the art to be able to carry out the invention. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Thus, the invention is only limited by the appended claims.

Prior to describing the mounting tool, locking bracket and façade element ofthe present invention in detail, the basic method for mounting façade elementsaccording to the present invention will be described. It is believed that this will give abetter understanding of the present invention. A more thorough description of this basicmethod for mounting façade elements onto a multi- story building is described in WO2010/070082.

Figure 1 shows part of a multi-story building onto which façade elements 2may be mounted. The façade elements are generally denoted with 2 throughout thedescription, but may also be provided with an index such as 2a, 2b etc. to denote aspecific façade element 2 of the building. An enlarged and schematic view of aneXemplary embodiment of the façade element 2 is shown in figure 2. The buildingcomprises a number of vertical, load bearing walls (not shown) and floors 4, alsodenoted slabs, which eXtend between the walls. Furthermore, there is provided a firsttype of vertical profiles 6 arranged with a horizontal distance between said verticalprofiles 6 that corresponds to the width of the façade elements 2. The vertical profiles 6of the first type are shown in more detail in figure 3, which is a cross sectional viewalong line A-A in figure 1. In figure 1 there is also shown a mobile crane 8, which ishoisting a façade element 2c. It should be understood that there be many other types of cranes that are suitable for hoisting the façade elements 2.

As mentioned above Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of an eXemplaryembodiment of the façade element 2. The façade element 2 comprises four guiding pins22 provided on the vertical edges 24 of the façade element 2. The guiding pins 22 areadapted to cooperate with the mounting tool of the present invention, which will bedescribed further below. The façade element 2 may also be provided with more than 4guiding pins depending on the size and in particular the height, i.e. the verticalextension, of the façade elements 2. The façade element is furtherrnore provided withguiding blocks 25 on the vertical edges 24 of the façade element 2. As is apparent infigure 2, the guiding blocks 25 are provided on the same vertical line L as the guiding pins 22. The horizontal width or extension of the guiding blocks 25 is greater than thediameter of the guiding pins 22. The function of the guiding blocks 25 will also be described further below.

Figure 3 shows a cross sectional view, along line A-A in figure l. In figure 3three different façade elements 2a-2c are shown, having the same reference numerals asin figure l. Figure 3 also shows the vertical profile 6 of the first type, which holds thetwo façade elements 2a and 2b. The vertical profile 6 of the first type, hereinafter firstvertical profile 6, is almost shaped as a T-bar but is provided with grooves or channels20 where the horizontal part of the T meets the vertical part of the T and also. Furthergrooves or channels 18 are provided at the bottom region of the T. The first verticalprofile 6 furthermore comprises a support surface ll against which façade elements 2may rest. The channels 18 in the bottom region of the T-bar like shaped first verticalprofile 6 is adapted to receive and support a vertical profile 26 of a second type,hereinafter second vertical profile. There are many ways the first and second verticalprofiles may be connected to each other. In the embodiment shown in figure 3, thesecond vertical profile 26 is U-shaped. The U-shaped vertical profile 26 constitutes achannel, which is adapted to receive and guide the guiding blocks 25 of the façadeelement 2c. It should be understood that the figure 3 is not drawn in scale but for illustrative purposes only and that may details have been left out.

Now having described the vertical profiles 6 and 26 of the first and second typeand the façade elements 2, it is time to describe the basic method for installing this typeof façade elements 2 onto a multi- story building. First a number of the first verticalprofiles 6 are attached to the first floor of the multi-story building and façade elements 2are then inserted there in between. Two neighbouring first vertical profiles 6 arearranged such that the above mentioned channels 20 are facing each other. The façadeelements 2a and 2b are mounted between two neighbouring first vertical profiles 6. Themounted façade elements 2a and 2b are supported by the support surfaces ll. When thefirst floor has been provided with façade elements 2, new first vertical profiles 6 arearranged above the previously attached first vertical profiles 6, such that they form acolumn along the entire height of the multi-story building when it is time to mountfaçade elements 2 on the top floor 4. In figure l three columns of the first vertical profiles 6 are shown arranged in parallel and at a horizontal distance to each other. The horizontal distance between the columns is essentially the same as the width, i.e. the horizontal extension, of the façade elements 2.

After that façade elements 2 have been mounted on one floor the secondvertical profiles 26 are mounted onto the first vertical profiles of that floor in such a waythat they are allowed to receive a façade element 2c from below. When a façade element2c is to be transported to its mounting position, the guiding pins 22 and guiding blocks25 on the vertical edges 24 of the façade element 2c are inserted into the channel formedby the U-formed second vertical profile 26 of the lowest ones of the second verticalprofiles 26 and is moved upwards to its mounting position by means of the mobile crane8. The advantage with using guiding blocks 25 having a horizontal width greater thanthe diameter of the guiding pins 22 is that when the façade element 2 is hoisted anypossible lateral movement of the façade element 2 is absorbed by the guiding blocks 25and not by the guiding pins 22. Thus, by using the guiding blocks 25 any scraping of material from the guiding pins 22 is avoided.

When the façade element 2 reaches the first vertical profiles 6 mounted on thefloor at which the façade element 2 is to be mounted, the guiding blocks 25 slide out ofthe U- shaped second vertical profiles 26 and the façade element 2 will then be free tomove in a horizontal direction. When the façade element 2 has reached its finalmounting position the façade element 2 is essentially at its final height or verticalposition, but has to travel a horizontal distance such that the façade element abuts thesupport surfaces ll. It is for enhancing this horizontal movement the mounting tool of the present invention is useful.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a mounting tool 30 when it is mounted tothe first vertical profile 6. The mounting tool 30 is configured to cooperate with alocking bracket 28. The mounting tool 30 has an upper side 40, a lower side 42 and ashort side 44. The locking bracket 28 will be closer described in conjunction with figure5 and the mounting tool 30 will be closer described in conjunction with figure 6. Asmay be seen in figure 5 the locking bracket 28 may be provided with grooves 54 at itsvertical sides. These grooves 54 are adapted to receive flanges 63 that are provided onthe first vertical profile 6 in order to ensure that the locking bracket 28 is secured to thefirst vertical profile 6. Two different positions 6l, 65 for the façade element 2 areindicated by dotted lines in figure 4. In the first position 6l, which is the transport position, the guiding block 25 of the facade element 2 has as mentioned above just leftthe U-shaped second vertical profile. The length of the guiding pins 22 and guidingblocks 25 is adapted such that they may run freely without getting stuck when thefaçade element is moved in a horizontal direction towards the support surface ll. In thesecond position 65 the façade element 2 is in its final mounted position. In order tobetter illustrate the function of the mounting tool 30 the façade element is only indicated by one guiding pin 22 and one guiding block 25 in figure 4.

Turning now to Figure 5 the locking bracket 28 will be more closelydescribed. The locking bracket 28 is basically shaped as an elongated plate with aprojected face section 50 forrning a bracket at the lower end, i.e. the end facing theground. The locking bracket 28 has a front surface 52 and back surface. The verticalsides of the locking bracket 28 are as mentioned above provided with grooves 54adapted to receive flanges of the first vertical profile. The grooves 54 assist thepositioning of the locking bracket 28 on the first vertical profile 6, i.e. the lockingbracket 28 may slide vertically along the first vertical profile 6 but is unable to movesubstantially in a horizontal direction. Furthermore, the looking bracket 28 comprisesfastening holes 56, a vertically elongated slot 58 in the projected face section 50, whichcomprises a lower end forrning a basis 60 and an upper end 62, a mounting recess 64, a first seat 66, a second seat 67 and a mounting tool hole 68.

The locking bracket 28 may be fixed to the first vertical profiles 6 by using thefastening holes 56 to bolt or screw it onto the first vertical profiles 6. As is readilyunderstood by a person skilled in the art also other fiXing members may be used tofasten and fiXate the locking bracket 28 to the first vertical profiles 6. The fasteningholes 56 may be arranged at a distance from one another parallel to the vertical aXis ofthe locking bracket 28.

The vertically elongated slot 58 has an open front and also an open upper end62. The lower end of the vertically elongated slot 58 is closed and forms a basis 60which may be semi circular shaped. The upper open end 62 of the vertically elongatedslot 50 may be tapered such that it may easily receive and guide the guiding pin 22 of afaçade element into the vertically elongated slot 58. The semi circular shaped basis may have a radius that corresponds to the radius of the guiding pin 22.

The projected face section 50 of the locking bracket 28 may have a mountingrecess 64, Which forms a first seat 66 or shelf adapted to receive and support themounting tool 30. The mounting recess 64 is formed parallel and norrnal to the surfaceof the plate in the face of the projected face section 50 of the locking bracket 28. Themounting recess 64 may be provided With a mounting tool hole 68, Which is alignednormal to the surface of the locking bracket 28 and runs through the projected facesection 50. The mounting tool hole 68 may be a through hole or may have a depth thatis less than the thickness of the projected face section 50. The mounting tool hole 68 isused to pivotally fasten or attach the first tool 30 to the locking bracket 28 by means ofa pin, a rod or the like. The mounting tool 30 Will have a corresponding hole, Which Will be closer described in conjunction With figure 6.

The projected face section 50 of the locking bracket 28 may also have a secondseat 67or shelf adapted to receive and support another part of the first mounting tool 30.The second seat 67 is formed by a locking recess 69 that is formed parallel and normalto the surface of the plate in the face of the projected face section 50 of the lockingbracket 28.

The locking bracket 28 may be manufactured from any rigid material such asbut not limited to aluminium, steel or different alloys thereof. The locking bracket 28may also be manufactured from any type of rigid polymer. Such polymer may forexample be a PolyÜXyR/iethyflerie, POM, such as Delrin® (DuPont).

Turning now to Figure 6 a first embodiment of the mounting tool 30 Will bedescribed. The mounting tool may also be designed With a handle Which Will bedescribed in conjunction With figure 7. Thus, there are many design options When itcomes to the mounting tool, but also the locking bracket 28, Which Will be readilyunderstood by a person skilled in the art after reading this description. Independently ofthe type of embodiment of the mounting tool it Will have an upper side 40, a lower side42 and a short side 44. In this first embodiment of the mounting tool 30 there is alsoprovided a mounting hole 72, Which together With the mounting tool hole 68 of thelocking bracket 28 is used to pivotally fasten or attach the first mounting tool 30 to thelocking bracket 28 by means of a pin, a rod or the like. Furthermore, the upper side 40 or part may have a trapezoidal cross section as depicted in figure 6. 11 As may be seen in figure 6 there is provided a recess 48 at the bottom end ofthe mounting device 30. The recess 48 has a radius of curvature that is adapted to theradius of curvature of the first seat 66 (figure 5) of the locking bracket 28. The first seat66 will serve as support of the mounting tool 30 when it is pivotally attached to thelocking bracket 28. When mounted to the locking bracket the first mounting tool 30 ispivotable around a pivoting axis P (see also figure 5). The lower end 80 of the mountingtool 30 is adapted to rest against the second seat 67 when the first tool 30 is in a locking position to be described further below.

The first mounting tool 30 may be manufactured in many different materials,for example a rigid material such as a metal, for example steel, aluminium or an alloy ofsuch. It may also be manufactured by any other type of rigid material such as anengineering polymer. An example of such a polymer is POM, such as Delrin®(DuPont). A member manufactured from polymer may have the benefit of being lighterand may be less costly to manufacture compared to a metal. A polymer member mayalso provide some elasticity to the pivoting arm when it is contacted by a façade element.

Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of a mounting tool 33. The mountingtool 33 comprises a handle 35. As regards the pivotal movement the basic principle isthe same for the second mounting tool 33 as for the first mounting tool 30. Also thesecond mounting tool 33 comprises an upper side 40, a lower side 42 and a short side44. The difference compared to the first mounting tool 30 is that the upper end of thesecond tool 33 is provided with a slit 94 extending substantially parallel with the upperside 40 of the mounting tool 33 and ending with a through hole 96. Said slit 94 dividesthe upper part into two parts. The upper one of the two parts 37 is pivotable in thedirection of arrow A. The upper part 37 is made of a material that is flexible enough to“snap” back to the position shown in figure 7 after it has been moved in the direction ofarrow A. The rest of the second mounting tool 33 is rigidly connected to the lockingbracket 28 and rests on and is locked to a tapered shelf 46 of the projected face section50. The tapered shelf 46 is not fully shown in figure 7, since it is hidden by the secondmounting tool 33. However, the tapered shelf 47 is a mirror image of the tapered shelf47, which is clearly visible in figure 7. Thus, the locking bracket 28 in this secondembodiment differs from the one in the first embodiment in that it lacks a mounting recess or shelf where the tool is pivotally attached, since it instead is rigidly attached to 12 the tapered shelf 46. When it comes to other features of the locking bracket 28, such asthe grooves 54 that assist in the positioning of the locking bracket 28 and the fastening holes, they may be provided in the same or similar way as in the first embodiment.

The handle portion 35 of the mounting tool is mounted behind the second tool33, when viewing the mounting tool as seen in figure 7. When the mounting tool 33 ismounted onto the first vertical profile 6 this means that the handle 35 is closer to the T-shaped first vertical profile 6 then the second tool 33. The handle portion 35 of themounting tool is further provided with an opening 92, such that a person easily mayslide or push the mounting tool onto the flanges 63 (figure 4) of the first vertical profile.To further enhance and guide the second mounting tool 33 into place, the handle 35may be provided with mushroom shaped screw heads 39 adapted to slide in dogleg shaped channels of the first vertical channel 6. ln order to better understand the function of the mounting tool the final stepsof mounting a façade element 2 to a building structure provided with first verticalprofiles 6 will be described in conjunction with Figure 8. Figure 8 shows a sequence ofsteps a to g for a mounting tool attached to the same first vertical profile 6. ln this casethe mounting tool is the mounting tool 30 of the first embodiment described inconjunction with figures 4 to 6. Reference numerals have only been provided in step ain order to not obscure the figure. In Figure 8 the façade element itself is left out and isonly “visible” by one of its guiding pins 22 and one of its guiding blocks 25. In step athe façade element is located within a first vertical profile 6. The façade element is onits way vertically upwards and the guiding pin 22 of the façade element is located belowthe first mounting tool 30. In this phase of the mounting process the first mounting tool30 is in an initial, resting position. As the façade element is moved vertically upwardsthe guiding pin 22 abuts the lower side 42 of first mounting tool 30, step b, and causesthe first mounting tool 30 to pivot upwards in a clockwise direction, in this example.The guiding pin 22 is able to move slidingly along the short side 44 of the first tool 30.After the first tool 30 has pivoted through an angle deterrnined by the length of the firsttool 30, the guiding pin 22 can move vertically past the arm as shown in step c. Oncethe guiding pin 22 has moved past the first tool 30 the arm is free to pivot back to itsinitial resting position. These three steps a to c will also be the same for a mounting toolaccording to the second embodiment described in figure 8, with the difference that only the upper part 37 of the second tool 33 will pivot forth and back. 13 When the guiding pin 22 has past the first tool 33 and the arm has pivotedback, subsequent lowering of the façade element Will lead to that the guiding pin 22 willabut the upper side 40 of the tool 30 from above, step d. ln the embodiment shown infigure 8 the tool 30 cannot rotate in an anti-clockwise direction further than its restingposition. It is the seat 66 of the mounting recess 64, see figure 5, that locks the tool 22into its resting position, i.e. a force applied on the upper side 40 of tool 30 will becounteracted by the force of the seat 66 in the mounting recess 64. The tool 30 isstopped at an angle such that the arm forms a ramp for the guiding pin 22, such that theguiding pin 22 is forced downward towards the locking bracket 28 when the façadeelement is lowered, step e. Further movement downwards, step f, of the façade element2 results in that the guiding pin 22 of the façade element slides further down the formedramp and into the locking bracket 28, where it is further guided by the tapered upperopen end 62 of the vertically elongated slot 50 (figure 5).

Once the guiding pin 22 of the façade element has travelled into the elongatedslot 50 the downward applied force on the upper side 40 of the tool 30 will result in apivoting force in the opposing direction to the previous pivoting force counteracted bythe seat 66. This pivoting force causes the tool 30 to rotate clockwise in this example.The pivoting force causes the tool 30 to pivot to a substantially vertical position, step g.The guiding pin 22 of the façade element continues to engage the tool 30 also when ithas reached the bottom end 60 of the elongated slot 50. In this position the guiding pin22 is in contact with the tool 30 such that it is locked in the vertical position and therebyalso locks the façade element in its vertical position. In a preferred embodiment thelower end 80 of the mounting tool 30 projects into the lower end of the elongated slot58 when it is in its locked vertical position. In this position the locking bracket 28 willcarry the dead load of the façade element.

The second embodiment of the mounting tool will also function essentially inthe same way as the first embodiment when it comes to steps d and e. However, sincethe second tool 33 is rigidly attached to the locking bracket 28 and only the upper part37 of the second tool 33 is pivotable the second tool 33 will remain in its “restingposition” as the guiding pin 22 is guided into the locking bracket 28. Also in this secondembodiment the locking bracket 28 will carry the dead load of the façade element. 14 Thus, the function of different embodiments of mounting tools has beendescribed. It should be understood that even if the function for one mounting tool hasbeen described one will need at least two mounting tools in order to perform the lasthorizontal movement of the mounting process. The mounting tools are mounted on twoadj acent first vertical profiles by means of the locking brackets. Even more preferablythe façade element is guided by four mounting tools, one upper and one lower pair. Twoopposing mounting tools constitute a pair and may be positioned on parallel and onopposing first vertical profiles. ln such an embodiment the faces of the projected facesections are parallel and directed towards one another and the two pivoting arms (orupper parts for the second embodiment) pivot in parallel planes. When four lockingbrackets are used for cooperation with the mounting tools the upper pair will carry thedead load of the façade element and the lower pair will prevent lateral movement of the faced element.

Thus, it is believed that different embodiments have been described thoroughlyfor purpose of illustration and description. However, the foregoing description is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit example embodiments to the precise formdisclosed. Thus, modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings or may be acquired from practice of various altematives to the providedembodiments. The examples discussed herein were chosen and described in order toexplain the principles and the nature of various example embodiments and its practicalapplication to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the example embodiments invarious manners and with various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. The features of the embodiments described herein may be combined inall possible combinations of methods, tools, modules and systems. It should beappreciated that any of the example embodiments presented herein may be used in conjunction, or in any combination, with one another.

It should also be noted that the word “comprising” does not necessarily excludethe presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the words “a” or “an”preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. Itshould further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the example embodiments and that several “means , units” or “tools” may be represented by the same item of hardware.

Claims (14)

1. A tool (30; 33) for mounting and securing a façade element (2) in twovertical profiles (6) mounted on a building structure, said façade element (2) comprisingguiding pins (22) at vertical edges (24) of the façade element (2), wherein saidmounting tool (30; 33) is configured to cooperate with a locking bracket (28), which isprovided in the vertical profiles (6) and has a plate-like shape, the lower part of whichhas a projected face section (50), which is divided by a vertically elongated slot (58)eXtending in a vertical direction and having an open front, an open upper end (62) andlower end forrning a basis (60), said vertically elongated slot (58) being adapted toreceive and guide a guiding pin (22) to the basis (60), said projected face section (50)having a shelf (66; 46) adapted for supporting the tool (30; 33), said tool (30; 33), whenin use, eXtending away from the façade element (2) and having a length such that whenthe façade element (2) is hoisted up to a position above its installation position theguiding pin (22) abuts a lower side (42) of the tool (30; 33) and pivots at least a part ofsaid tool (30; 33) from a resting position to allow upwards passage of the guiding pin(22) as the façade element (2) is further hoisted, said at least part of the tool (30; 33)being arranged such that it pivots back to its resting position when the guiding pin (22)has passed the tool (30;33) upwardly.

2. The mounting tool (30) according to claim 1, wherein the tool (30) ispivotally attached to the locking bracket (28).

3. The mounting tool (30) according to claim 2, wherein the tool (30) isattached in a mounting recess (64) of the projected face section (50) of the lockingbracket (28), which mounting recess (64) forms a first seat (66) adapted to receive and support the tool (30) in its resting position.

4. The mounting tool (30) according to claim 3, wherein the tool (30)comprises a lower end (80) which cooperates with a second seat (67) of the projected face section (50) of the locking bracket (28), such that the tool (30) is locked in a 16 vertical position When the guiding pin (22) of the façade element (2) rests against thebasis (60) of the vertically elongated slot (58).

5. The mounting tool (30) according to claim 4, wherein the lower end (80)of the tool (30) projects into the lower end of the vertically elongated slot (58) when it is in its locked vertical position.

6. The mounting tool (33) according to claim l, wherein the upper part ofthe tool (33) comprises a slit (94) eXtending substantially parallel with the upper side(40) of the tool (33) and ending with a through hole (96), said slit (94) dividing theupper part of the tool (33) into an upper pivotable part (37) and a lower fixed part (38).

7. The mounting tool (33) according to claim 6, wherein the tool (33) isrigidly connected to the locking bracket (28).

8. The mounting tool (33) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the tool (33) isprovided with a handle (35).

9. The mounting tool (33) according to claim 8, wherein the handle (35)comprises mushroom shaped screw heads (39) adapted to slide in dogleg shaped channels of the vertical profiles (6).

10. l0. A locking bracket (28) configured to cooperate with a mounting tool(30;33) according to any of the previous claims, for mounting and securing a façadeelement (2) in two vertical profiles (6) mounted on a building structure, said façadeelement (2) comprising guiding pins (22) at vertical edges (24) of the façade element(2), said locking bracket (28) having a plate-like shape, the lower part of which has aprojected face section (50), which is divided by a vertically elongated slot (58)eXtending in a vertical direction and having an open front, an open upper end (62) and a lower end forrning a basis (60), said vertically elongated slot (58) being adapted to 17 receive and guide a guiding pin (22) to the basis (60), said projected face section (50)having a shelf (66; 46) adapted for supporting the tool (30; 33).

11. The locking bracket (28) according to claim 10, wherein the open upperend (62) of the projected face section (50) is tapered.

12. The locking bracket (28) according to claim 10 or 11, further providedwith grooves (54) at its vertical sides, said grooves (54) being adapted for receiving flanges (63) provided on the vertical profiles (6).

13. A façade element (2) comprising at least two guiding pins (22) providedat two vertical edges (24) of the façade element (2) and adapted to be guided by amounting tool according to any of claims 1 to 9 and received by a locking bracket (28) according to any of claims 11 to 12.

14. A façade element (2) according to claim 13, further comprising guidingblocks (25) at two vertical edges (24) of the façade element (2), said guiding blocks (25)being provided on the same vertical line as the guiding pins (22) and having a horizontal extension that is larger than the diameter of the guiding pins (22).