SE538590C2 - Facade element and mounting rail for retrofitting the facadeelement - Google Patents

Description

20 25 30 538 590 building structure, i.e. the vertical edges of the façade element Will run in slots While hoisted. This Will make the hoisting procedure less sensitive to Weather conditions, such as Wind, since the façade elements run steadily in the slots. The guiding-rails are mounted on the building structure all the way up to the fl oor that is beneath the fl oor to be mounted, i.e. With this method the façade elements are mounted from the bottom and up. When the façade elements have reached the fl oor on Which they are to be mounted they are pushed in a horizontal direction towards the building and attached appropriately to the building.

When the façade elements have been mounted onto the building structure for one fl oor, the interior work of that fl oor may start, i.e. equip and decorate the fl oor. One of the final decorating tasks is to hang curtains and the like. Usually one uses different curtain rods Which are fastened to the façade element. One disadvantage With this procedure is that it might damage the façade element and Weaken its structural strength. It is therefore common to design façade elements with a security margin due to damage caused to the façade element When decorating the interior of the building. This Will of course make the façade elements both heavier and more bulky than necessary, Which in the end leads to a more expensive building process.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to achieve a façade element With dimensions that are limited by the conditions that prevail When mounted to the building structure and not by stress that is caused When decorating the interior of the building. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to achieve a façade element With thinner frames than are used today. A further object of the present invention is to achieve a mounting rail for engagement With the façade element, Which mounting rail easy may be retro fi tted With curtains, illumination etc.

Summary of the invention According to a first aspect of the present disclosure at least one of these objects is achieved by a façade element comprising a frame and façade material, Wherein the frame is provided to surround and hold the façade material. An upper part of the façade element has a length L, said upper part being provided With a mounting area. An elongate recess With an undercut is extending at least along a major part of the length L 10 15 20 25 30 538 590 of the upper part of the frame, said recess With the undercut being adapted for receiving a mounting rail in a locking engagement.

The elongate recess of the façade element may according to one embodiment extend along the entire length L of the upper side of the frame.

According to some embodiments the façade element may be provided With a recess that is substantially L-shaped or a recess that is substantially anchor-shaped.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure at least one of these objects is achieved by a mounting rail for retro fi tting a façade element. The façade element comprises a frame and façade material. The frame is provided to surround and hold the façade material. An upper part of the façade element has a length L, said upper part being provided With a mounting area. The mounting rail comprises an L-shaped lifting portion, a shoulder and a locking mechanism, Which are adapted to be received by and in locking engagement With an elongate recess of the façade element. The recess is provided With an undercut and extends at least along a major part of the upper part of the frame. The length of the recess corresponds to a length of the mounting rail, such that When the mounting rail is in an engaged state the L-shaped lifting portion is inserted into the recess of the frame and the shoulder rests on a surface of the upper part at one side of the recess and the locking mechanism rests on a surface of the upper part at another side of the recess.

Furthermore, the locking mechanism is pivotable between an open position, in Which the mounting rail is insertable into the recess of the frame and a locked position, in Which is the mounting rail is in locking engagement With the recess of the frame.

According to an exemplary embodiment the locking mechanism is provided With a spring biased locking ball adapted to engage a cavity of the mounting rail, When the locking mechanism is in the locked position. 10 15 20 25 30 538 590 Furthermore, the mounting rail may be provided with illumination means and / or With holding means adapted for receiving curtain hangers.

With such a façade element provided with a recess having an undercut the frame of the façade element may be designed with smaller dimensions then is customary, since one now no longer needs to damage the façade element when decorating the interior of the building.

By using a mounting rail that it inserted into the elongate recess it is possible to retrofit the façade element with curtain hangers, illumination and other interior decoration items without having to damage the façade element. Furthermore, the time to t the mounting rail by “snapping” it into the recess and tuming the locking mechanism is negligible compared to the traditional way to decorate the inside of the building, which requires measuring, drilling, etc. xing etc.

Brief description of drawings The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a façade element; FIG. 2 exemplary L-shaped recess; is an enlarged side view of an upper part of the façade element, showing an Fig. 3 exemplary anchor-shaped recess; is an enlarged side view of the upper part of the façade element, showing an Fig. 4 shows a side view of a mounting rail; Fig. 5 shows an enlarged side view of the mounting rail; 10 15 20 25 30 35 538 590 Figs. 6-8 mounting rail is brought into looking engagement with the recess of the façade element; show enlarged views of different steps of the procedure of when the Fig. 9 in an open position, and shows a partial front view of the mounting rail, with the looking mechanism Fig. 10 in a looked position. shows a partial front view of the mounting rail, with the looking mechanism Detailed description of the embodiments Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the aocompanying 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.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a façade element 2.

The façade element 2 comprises, a recess 10, a frame 12, façade material 14, an upper part 16, and a reinforcement frame 18. The main components of the façade element 2 are the façade material 14, the upper part 16 and the frame 12. The façade material may by any material suitable used for building multi-story buildings, such as glass, concrete, metal, bricks, insulation etc. The façade element 2 may comprise one or more façade materials in different combinations. Also the upper part 16 of the façade element 2 may be considered as a façade material or as part of the frame 12. In the exemplary embodiment of the façade element 2 in figure 1, the façade material comprises glass (windows) 14 and a combination of aluminum and insulation in the upper part 16. The aluminum / insulation combination oorresponds in this exemplary embodiment to an area of the ceiling structure of the building, ie it will cover and extend below the ceiling structure when mounted to the building structure.

The façade material 14, 16 is surrounded and held by the frame 12. In the exemplary embodiment disclosed in figure 1, the façade element 2 is further reinforced by a 10 15 20 25 30 35 538 590 reinforcement post 18. The use of such a reinforcement post 18 is optional and depends on which size the façade element 2 has. As is realized by a person skilled in the art there may be numerous ways to design reinforcement frame 18 and it is believed to be within the capabilities of such a person to design a suitable reinforcement frame taking the dimensions of the façade element into account. However, there may also be other considerations than strength, such as the appearance of a façade element 2, when designing the reinforcement frame.

The upper part 16 of the façade element 2 is provided with a recess 10 and has a length L. The recess 10 is designed and adapted to receive a mounting rail, with help of which the façade element 2 may be retrofitted with curtain hangers, illumination etc. The recess 10 will be further described in conjunction with figures 2 and 3 and the mounting rail will be further described in conjunction with figures 4 and 5. The interaction between the recess 10 and the mounting rail and how they are brought into a locking engagement is further described in conjunction with figures 6 to 8.

Turning now to Figure 2 an exemplary embodiment of the recess 10 will be described.

The recess 10 is provided on the upper part 16 of the frame 12, i.e. a mounting area.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged side view of the upper part 16 of the façade element 2. The recess 10 is provided with an undercut 11, i.e. it has a hollow space under the surface 4 of the upper part 13 of the frame 12. The undercut 11 is, in the embodiment of figure 2, defined as being the hollow space that is to the left of an axis X that is perpendicular to the upper part 16 and running adj acent to the opening of the recess 10. The undercut 11 is an important feature when bringing the mounting rail into locking engagement with the recess 10 as will be explained further below. The shape of the recess 10 as seen in the enlarged side view of figure 2 may be defined as L-shaped or boot-shaped.

Figure 3 shows another exemplary embodiment of the recess 10. In this embodiment the recess 10 is provided with two undercuts 11, 11 ”instead of one. The principles for the undercut are the same as in fi gure 2 and will therefore not be described again. The second undercut 11 ”in figure 3 is a mirror image of the first undercut 11 in fi gure 2, which gives the recess 10 an anchor-like shape. One advantage with having a recess with double undercuts is that the mounting rail may be inserted into the recess 10 from two different directs, which may be beneficial during the retrofitting process of the façade elements 2. As is understood by a person skilled in the art the recess 10 may be 10 15 20 25 30 538 590 designed in a variety of Ways. As mentioned above it is import that the recess has an undercut in order to create a locking engagement with the mounting rail. The important feature is that the undercut is adapted such as it may receive the mounting rail 20, and especially the lifting portion 21 of the mounting rail 20. In the described embodiments the lifting portion 21 of the mounting rail 20 is shown as L-shaped , but may for example also be J-shaped or any other suitable shape adapted for locking engagement with a mating recess 10 having an undercut 11.

Figure 4 shows a side view of a mounting rail 20 and Figure 5 shows an enlarged side view of the mounting rail 20. The mounting rail 20 comprises a lifting portion 21, a shoulder 22, illumination 23, locking mechanism 24 and different fastening means 25 , 27 for different types of curtain hangers and the like. The mounting rail 20 may be manufactured in aluminum, steel or any other suitable metal or material with the mechanical properties for lifting a façade element 2. The illumination may be in tted in between two lips. In the example embodiment in fi gure 4, there is provided four illumination sources, but this number as understood by a person skilled in art a design option when designing the mounting rail. The different fastenings means 25, 27 are adapted to receive different type of curtain hangers or other interior decorations elements. In the exemplary embodiment in figure 5 a curtain hanger 28 with a hook is provided onto which a curtain may be hung. The hook may be fastened to a rail that extends the entire length of the mounting rail 20. Typically the mounting rail 20 has the same length as the length L of the façade element 2, i.e. the width of the façade element 2.

Figures 6 to 8 show enlarged views of different stages of the procedure when the mounting rail 20 is brought into locking engagement with the recess 10 of the façade element 11. In Figure 6 a first stage of the locking engagement between the mounting rail 20 and the recess 10 is shown. In this stage the mounting rail 20 is angled and the L-shaped lifting portion 21 of the mounting rail 20 is inserted into the recess 10. As soon as the L-shaped lifting portion has been inserted into the recess 10, the mounting rail 21 is rotated in the direction of the arrow T into an upright position, ie perpendicular to the surface 4 of the upper part 16 of the frame 12. During this movement the L-shaped lifting portion 21 will slide into the undercut 11. 10 15 20 25 30 35 538 590 In Figure 7 the mounting rail 20 is shown in its upright position. 1n this position the upper part of the L-shaped recess 10 is almost completely filled out by the L-shaped lifting portion 21. The shoulder 22 of the mounting rail 20 is designed such that it abuts the surface 4 of the upper part 16 of the frame 12 when the mounting rail 20 has reached its final upright position. In this position the mounting rail 20 can not be rotated anymore in the direction of arrow T, since the abutment of the shoulder 22 Works as a stopper for the rotational movement in the direction of arrow T. Also the design of the L-shaped lifting portion 21 of the mounting rail 20 and the undercut ll of the recess 10 acts as a stopper, since the L-shaped lifting portion 21 will abut the surface of the undercut ll when the mounting rail 20 is in its fi nal upright position. Thus, the mounting rail 20 is securely fi xed into recess 10 and may withstand forces applied in the direction of the arrow T. However, if forces are applied in an opposite direction of the arrow T the mounting rail 20 will reverse its previous movement and fall out of the recess 10. To prevent such a movement and securely fix the mounting rail 20 in the upright position the mounting rail 20 is provided with a locking mechanism 24. In figure 7 the locking mechanism 24 is shown in an open position, ie the mounting rail 20 has not been securely fixed into the recess 10.

Tuming now to Figure 8 the locking mechanism 24 is shown in a locked position. In figure 8, the area of the locking mechanism 24 is also shown in an enlarged view in order to better understand how the looking mechanism 24 functions. The locking mechanism 24 may be a block that is pivotally attached to the mounting rail 20. When the locking mechanism 24 is in its closed position one end surface of the locking mechanism 24 is in abutment with the surface 4 of the upper part 16 of the frame 12. In this position the mounting rail 20 is in a locking engagement with the recess 10. In a preferred embodiment the locking mechanism 24 may furtherrnore be provided with a spring-biased ball 26. The spring-biased ball 26 is adapted to interact with a cavity 29 provided on the mounting rail 20. The cavity 29, the ball 26 and the spring 28 are best shown in the enlarged view of figure 8. When the locking mechanism 24 is turned from the open position to the locking position the spring 28 will push the ball 28 into the cavity 29 when the locking mechanism 24 has reached its final position and thereby securely fix the mounting rail 20 into the recess 10. As realized by a person skilled in the art there may be many other ways of sec uring the locking mechanism 24 in its locking position, such as spring-biased pins, pins and holes or a groove in the mounting rail adapted to receive the locking mechanism when it is in its final position etc. It is of 10 15 20 25 30 538 590 course also possible to provide the spring-biased ball on the mounting rail and the cavity in the locking mechanism instead.

Even if the steps of engagement between the mounting rail 20 and the recess 10 in figures 6 to 8 relate to a recess having an L-shaped cross section, the steps are of course also applicable for the anchor shaped recess shown in figure 3 or any other suitable recess having an undercut.

Figure 9 and Figure 10 show a partial front view of the mounting rail with the locking mechanism 24 in is its open and locking position, respectively. The spring biased-ball 26 is indicated in the figures by dotted lines, since it is hidden by the locking mechanism 24 in figures 9 and 10. In figures 9 and 10 the full length of the mounting rail 20 is not show, but only the two ends where the locking mechanisms 24 are provided. The number of locking mechanisms 24 depends on the length of the mounting rail 20, and is preferably two for a façade element with a width (same as length of upper part 16) of 3 m. The length of the mounting rail 20 may in a preferred embodiment correspond to the length L of upper part 13 of the frame 12. Using the whole length L of upper side 13 of the frame will make it possible to retrofit the entire width of the façade elements with curtains, illumination etc.

Thus, it is believed that different embodiments have been described thoroughly for the purpose of illustration and description. However, the foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit example embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Thus, modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various alternatives to the provided embodiments. The examples discussed herein were chosen and described in order to explain the principles and nature of various example embodiments and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the example embodiments in various manners and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The features of the embodiments described herein may be combined in all possible combinations of methods, tools, modules and systems. It should be appreciated that any of the example embodiments presented herein may be used in conjunction, or in any combination, with one another. 538 590 It should also be noted that the Word “comprising” does not necessarily exclude the 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. It should 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. 10

Claims (10)

10 15 20 25 30 538 590 CLAIMS 1. A façade element (2) comprising a frame (12) and façade material (14), Wherein the frame (12) is provided to surround and hold the façade material (14), an upper part (16) of the façade element (2) having a length (L), said upper part (16) being provided With a mounting area (16) characterized in that an elongate recess (10) With an undercut (1 1) is extending at least along a major part of the length (L) of the upper part (16) of the frame (12), said recess (10) With the undercut (11) being adapted for receiving a mounting rail (20) in a locking engagement. 2. The façade element (2) according to claim 1, Wherein the elongate recess (10) is extending along the entire length of the upper part (16) of the frame (12). 3. The façade element (2) according to claim 1 or 2, Wherein the recess (10) is substantially L-shaped. 4. The façade element (2) according to claim l or 2, Wherein the recess (10) is substantially anchor-shaped. 5. A mounting rail (20) for retrofitting a façade element (2), said façade element (2) comprising a frame (12) and façade material (14), Wherein the frame (12) is provided to surround and hold the façade material (14), an upper part (16) of the façade element (2) having a length (L), said upper part (16) being provided With a mounting area (16), said mounting rail (20) comprising a L -shaped lifting portion (21), a shoulder (22) and a locking mechanism (24), Which are adapted to be received by and in locking engagement With an elongate recess (10) of the façade element (2), said recess ( 10) having an undercut (1 l) and extending at least along a major part of the upper part (16) of the frame (12), the length of the recess (10) corresponding to a length of the mounting rail (20) , such that When the mounting rail (20) is in an engaged state the L- shaped lifting portion (21) is inserted in the recess (10) of the frame (12) and the shoulder (22) rests on a surface of the upper part (16) at one side of the recess (10) and 11 10 15 20 538 590 the locking mechanism (24) rests on a surface of the upper part (16) at another side of the recess (10). 6. The mounting rail (20) according to claim 5, Wherein the locking mechanism (24) is pivotable between an open position, in Which the mounting rail (20) is insertable into the recess (10) of the frame (12) and a locked position, in Which is the mounting rail (20) is in locking engagement With the recess (10) of the frame (12). 7. The mounting rail (20) according to claims 6, Wherein the locking mechanism (24) is provided With a spring biased locking ball (26) adapted to engage a cavity (29) of the mounting rail (20), When the locking mechanism (24) is in a locked position. 8. The mounting rail (20) according to any of claims 5 to 7, Wherein the mounting rail (20) is provided With two locking mechanisms (24). 9. The mounting rail (20) according to any of claims 5 to 8, Wherein the mounting rail (20) is provided With illumination means (23). 10. The mounting rail (20) according to any of claims 5 to 9, Wherein the mounting rail (20) is provided With holding means (25; 27) adapted for receiving curtain hangers (30). 12