US3065831A

US3065831A - Panel for curtain walls

Info

Publication number: US3065831A
Application number: US808771A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wachsmann Konrad
Original assignee: Armco Inc
Current assignee: Armco Inc
Priority date: 1959-04-24
Filing date: 1959-04-24
Publication date: 1962-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 1979-11-27

Description

NOV. 27, 1962 w cHs 3,065,831

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3,065,831 Patented Nov. 27, 1962 3,065,831 PANEL FOR CURTAIN WALLS Konrad Wachsmann, Chicago, 11L, assignor to Armco Steel Corporation, Middletown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 24, 1959, Ser. No. 808,771 4 Claims. (Cl. 18985) This invention relates to a panel for curtain walls. in my copending application Serial No. 808,659, filed April 24, 1959, I have disclosed and claimed a modular building construction characterized by the fact that a grid-like framework is provided wherein the intersecting surfaces of the building come between elements of the framework so that no frame element is disposed in any corner.

In my copending application Serial No. 808,740, filed April 24, 1959, l have disclosed a locking device for locking or securing panels to the inside or outside of such a framework whereby the panels may be secured to the framework or released from the framework by means of a simple tool from either side of the wall.

The present invention relates to a panel for use in such a building construction and which is adapted to be secured in position by such a locking device. The panel of course may have utility in other structures but it is particularly useful in connection with the structures of the above mentioned copending applications.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a panel for either inside or outside use in connection with a grid-like framework and to provide such panel with means whereby it may be secured to the framework. It is another object of the invention to provide such a panel which is extremely simple in construction and which is adaptable to many types of surface treatment.

Reference is made to the drawings forming a part hereof and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of a typical panel according to the present invention.

FlUURE 2 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of a typical framework showing the manner in which the panels may be secured to the framework.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of one form of panel, and

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of another form of panel.

It should be understood at the outset that while I have illustrated herein a rectangular panel, the specific configuration of the panel is not a limitation upon the invention. Since the panel is to be used with a modular grid, the panel will be of a size and shape dictated by the grid. Thus, if the grid is based on a module which is the same in the vertical and horizontal planes, the panels will be square. If the dimensions are different, the panels will be rectangular. For certain types of structures the panels may be triangular, hexagonal, or even have arcuate edges. Basically, however, I provide a panel of the required shape having a down-turned peripheral frame engaging edge. Adjacent this edge but inset therefrom I provide inwardly extending attaching elements which are adapted to be engaged by locking devices secured to the frame, which locking devices may be of the form disclosed in the aforesaid copending application.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, a panel is generally indicated in FIGURE 1 at 10. This panel is illustrated as being square or rectangular and it is provided with the down-turned peripheral edge 11. Ad jacent the edges but inset therefrom there are provided the inwardly extending members 12 provided with the slots 13.

The manner of attachment of these panels to a framework is somewhat diagrammatically illustrated in FIG- URE 2, where two such panels are shown in association with a frame member generally indicated at 14. Mounted in the frame element 14 is a locking device generally indicated at 15 and provided with a locking member 16. Details of the locking device form no part of the present invention but for details of a locking device which may desirably be used, reference is made to my said copending application. Basically, the locking device comprises the locking member 16 which may be rotated to a position wherein it lies within the member 14 (the unlocked position) or rotated to a position where the ends of the locking member 16 extend out through apertures 17 in the member 14 and engage in slots 13 in the members 12. By means of a screw 18, the locking member 16 may be drawn up so as to cause the down-turned edges 11 of the panels to bear against the member 14. According to my copending application, the member 14 is provided with the aligned apertures 19 through which an operating tool may be inserted for engagement with the bolt or screw 18.

The members 12 may be secured to the panels 11 by welding or in any other desired way and it will be understood that the panel may be provided with any necessary or desirable bracing or stiffening structure. The panels 10 may be flat, domed, dished, or provided with any desired surface treatment such as porcelain, enamel or paint or they may have a stainless steel or aluminum surface. It will also be understood that the panels may be open in the form of Window frames or door frames if desired and the details of the construction of such panels do not form a part of the present invention and are therefore not described in detail.

The fastening members 12 may be of the form shown in FIGURES 1 and 3 wherein they are shown as separate or discreet tabs 12 with the slots 13, or they may be in the form of a substantially continuous skirt-like member 12a having in appropriate positions the slots 13. If the panels are square or rectangular, it will generally be preferable to provide for fastening of each panel adjacent each end thereof so that if the panel is rectangular there will be two members 12 along each side of the panel, one near each end, and if the skirt-like member 12a is provided there will be a slot 13 adjacent each end of each side. For some installations, a single central slot may suffice and of course the number of slots and locking devices may be increased if desired. If will be understood that the same principles apply regardless of the geometrical configuration of the panels.

It will be understood that an almost infinite Variety of panels may be provided according to the present invention and I therefore do not intend to limit myself except as set forth in the claims which follow.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A curtain wall panel for use in connection with a framework having attaching elements for pulling said panel into tight engagement with said framework, said panel being of sheet metal and having a uniform periph- 3 4 eral down-turned frame engaging edge, and having invided at least one inwardly extending element for each wardly extending elements inset from the periphery of edge of the panel. said panel sufiiciently to clear the said framework, said 4. A panel according to claim 1, wherein there are inwardly extending elements having slots for engagetwo inwardly extending elements for each edge of said ment by said attaching elements, whereby said panel can 5 panel, one adjacent each end of each edge thereof. accommodate itself to slight variations in flatness of the References Cited in the file of this Patent framework.

2. A panel according to claim 1, wherein said inward- UNITED STATES PATENTS 1y extending elements are constituted by a substantially 96,922 Jackson Nov. 16, 1869 continuous skirt. 10 2,006,070 Di Stasio June 25, 1935 3. A panel according to claim 1, wherein there is pro- 2,230,349 Eaton et a1. Feb. 4, 1941