US3791074A

US3791074A - Window or door construction

Info

Publication number: US3791074A
Application number: US00176362A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Waffenschmidt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-07-29
Filing date: 1971-07-27
Publication date: 1974-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-02-12
Also published as: FR2099365A5; GB1366507A; DE2037517B2; DE2037517C3; DE2037517A1

Abstract

A wall or other support has an opening in which one or more frameless glass panes of a window or door are located. The panes are secured to the adjacent support by hinges which are adjustable so as to permit adjustment of the pane or panes within the opening, and which have a portion directly connected with the respective pane, as by welding or bonding. Suitable latches or similar securing means are also provided, and at least one component of such latch or securing means is also directly connected to the respective pane or panes.

Description

mted States atent 1 1 [111 3, 91,074

aiienschmidt [451 1974 [54] WINDOW OR DOOR CONSTRUCTION 2,761,183 9/1956 Renno 49/144 X [7 Inventor Franz waflenschmidt 3,357,136 l2/l967 Marantier 49/392 waffenschmidt tra 2, C l FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS ermany 245,612 3/1926 Italy 16/132 22 F1 d: l 27 1 71 1 le Ju y 9 Primary Examiner-J. Karl Bell PP 176,362 Attorney, Agent, or FirmMichael S. Striker [30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT July 29, 1970 Germany 2037517 A Wall or other pp rt has an Opening in which one or more frameless glass panes of a window or door are 52 us. (:1. 49/399, 16/132 leeated- The Panes are seemed to the edieeeht P- 51 Int. (:1 E0511 7/04 P by hinges Whieh are adjustable S0 3810 P [58] Field of Search 49/381, 397, 379, 382, 399, iustmem of the P or Panes Within the evening, and

49/144; 16/128 1 351/153 which have a portion directly connected with the respective pane, as by welding or bonding. Suitable [56] References Cited latches or similar securing means are also provided, UNITED STATES PATENTS and at least one component of such latch or securing 230 165 7/1880 B 16/129 means is also directly connected to the respective arnes 1,534,758 4/1925 Bartholomew 16/129 pane or panes 2,581,104 1/1952 Houlsby 16/129 18 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures SWLDYA PMEMED FEB I 2'974 mm 1 BF 3 INVENTOR PATENTEUFJEB 1 21974 WET E [If 3 PATENTEU FEB 1 2mm WINDOW OR DOOR CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to window or door constructions, and more particularly to window or door constructions wherein the panes are not provided with frames.

Frameless windows are already known, for instance from motor vehicles. Thus, the small vent window of many motor vehicles are simply in form of a glass pane without a frame, and which is provided at certain points with bores through which suitable connectors are passed which are then engaged with the frame of the surrounding door. These connectors or hinges, about which the pane may be pivoted, are rigid. Latching devices are also provided which are mounted directly on the pane also, again via the aid of suitable bores provided in the pane, and which cooperate with suitable cooperating abutment portions on the surrounding door. In these constructions it is not possible to provide for any adjustment in the position of the pane in order to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, nor is there any possibility of compensating for stresses which may develop as a result of differential thermal expansion and contraction of the pane and the surrounding material of the door.

However, frameless windows are by no means exclusive to the motor vehicle art. Thus, the prior art also contains proposals for providing frameless windows or doors for buildings. These, however, are also provided with hinges which do not permit any adjustment or compensation possibilities. This is of course particularly disadvantageous in windows and doors-or rather panes of such windows and doorsused in buildings because the dimensioms of such panes are much larger than those in motor vehicles, and consequently stresses which may develop in these panes are likely to cause correspondingly graver difficulties. Consequently, and in order to avoid such problems, the prior art providesin so far as the use of frameless window and door panes in buildings is concerned-that more or less wide air gaps be left between the edges of the panes and the surrounding portions of the building structure bounding the opening in which the pane or panes is arranged. As a result the prior-art frameless doors and windows cannot best be used in the interior of buildings but not as exterior windows or doors. Moreover, it is not possible to so modify these prior-art constructions that the panes will tightly engage the surrounding material of the building, thus making them suitable for use at the outer sides of a building, because this would bring with it the danger of destruction of the panes resulting from stresses caused by differential thermal expansion and contraction of the panes on the one hand and the surrounding material of the building on the other hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, a general object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.

More particularly it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved frameless window and/or door construction which is not possessed of the aforementioned disadvantages.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide such an improved construction in which reliable sealing In pursuance of the above objects, and of others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides, briefly stated, in a structure of the character here described which comprises support means having an opening, at least one pane in this opening, and mounting means mounting the pane to the support means for displacement with reference to the opening. The mounting means comprises at least one unit having a first section mounted directly on the pane, a second section mounted on the support means and connected with the first section for relative displacement, and adjusting means for positional adjustment of at least one of the sections.

In this manner the pane or panes can be adjusted with reference to the opening and the support means in order to compensate for existing problems, for instance for manufacturing tolerances, and on the other hand the pane or panes can move to a limited extent even when in a position closing the opening, for instance if thermal expansion or contraction should occur, without thereby incurring the development of stresses and the possibility of destruction.

It is particularly advantageous according to a concept of the invention to provide the section of the unit which is to be directly connected with the pane or panes with a large-area contact face which is adhesively bonded or welded to one side of the pane. Furthermore, latching units can also be provided for latching the pane in position with respect to the support means, and can similarly have large-area contact faces which are adhesively bonded or welded to one side of the pane. The pane, incidentally, can of course be glass in the usual manner, but it could also for instance be a panel of a suitable synthetic plastic material. The adhesive bonding or welding directly to the pane provides for a particularly simple manner of connection which is especially sutiable for multilayer or insulating glass or safety glass which is bonded, and all of which can be bored or provided with apertures for mechanical connections only with great difficulty and expense, which are avoided by the present invention.

Advantageously the adjusting means may be in form of a spring element, particularly when adjustment in vertical direction is desired, which is slipped over a hinge pin provided on one of the sections so as to be located between the hinge pin and the sleeve which surrounds the hinge pin, and is provided on the other section. In this manner the sleeve and hinge pin have the possibility of relative movement with reference to one another, usually in vertical direction because the hinge pin is usually vertically oriented.

It is also possible, according to a further concept of the invention, to use in place of the spring element cylindrical elastomeric elements, for instance of rubber or synthetic plastic, located between the respective hinge pin and the associated sleeve in such a manner that the two sections which are respectively provided with the hinge pin and the sleeve have freedom of limited displacement both in vertical and in transverse direction.

Further adjustment possibilities are obtained if, according to another concept of the invention, the second section of the single or several units which is connected with the support means, is provided with an arrangement making it possible to displace it with reference to the support means (which may include a sash frame mounted on a wall provided with the opening) in all directions in a vertical and/or horizontal plane. In other words, such an arrangement permits displacement or adjustment in a plurality of mutually inclined directions. For this purpose the second section may be provided with a slot-like opening through which a treaded connector is passed into the support means, or the second section may be provided with an opening whose cross-sectional area is substantially larger than that of the threaded connector so that displacement of the second section with reference to the threaded connector is readily possible.

It is, however, also possible to provide adjustment and displacement arrangements which are operated not mechanically as previously discussed, but which are operated hydraulically, pneumatically or by means of a suitable motor. This is particularly advantageous in the case of panels (for windows or doors) which must be of large area or which are required to be very easily operated or which must provide a particularly good seal with respect to the surrounding support means, or again which meet any combination of these factors. Such arrangements are commercially available, that is hydraulically or pneumatically operated units or'motor-driven units for this purpose can be readily purchased and they can, in fact, be of type which permits remote control of the respective pane or panes.

A further concept of the invention provides for the circumferential margin of the pane or panes, particularly the bottom marginal portion, to be provided with an elastic sealing lip which when the pane is in closure position closing the associated opening, will abut against an abutment profile of the support means. Furthermore, a rain deflector or water deflector may also be arranged adjacent the sealing lip, preferably being welded or adhesively bonded to the pane.

In addition, the invention provides for a possibility of providing the support means beneath the lower end of the pane with an opening through which water, such as rain water or condensate, can run off and which is closed at the exterior side of the support means by a readily flexible seal element connected to the pane.

In so far as a latching device is concerned, it may be secured directly to the pane itself and may for instance be in form of a turnable knob which displaces a bolt longitudinally slidable of itself, via an eccentric provided on the knob, and which bolt may enter into and be retracted from a slot (a single one or any one of a plurality of such slots) provided in the adjacent support means, or in a suitable component of the latching device which is secured to the support means. Such a latching device may not only be used for maintaining the pane in closed position, but also it can be of such type as to permit maintaining the pane in any one of several partially opened positions, that is to maintain it in a desired angular position. Thus, relatively simple means suffice for maintaining the pane in any one of a plurality of different opening positions as well as for fixing it in closed position.

Finally, such latching means may also be in form of a turning latch of such type as to permit pivoting of the pane upon either one or both vertical side edges thereof and/or the horizontal lower edge, and only plate-shaped portions of the latching device are secured directly on the pane by welding or bonding, whereas the other components are secured on the support means.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevation showing one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional detail view, on an enlarged scale, showing a detail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detail view through the lower end portion of a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating an additional embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary partially sectioned detail view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged detail view of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a section taken on line IX-IX of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional detail view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a section on line XIIXII of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of still an additional embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but of a different embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14, but showing yet another embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15, showing still a different embodiment; and

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary detail view illustrative of yet a further embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing now the drawing in detail, and firstly the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that in this embodiment I have shown a frameless window, that is a window in which the window pane is not provided with a frame although the surrounding support means (such as a wall) may of course be provided with a sash frame. The window pane is here identified with reference numeral 1 and may be of glass or of a synthetic plastic material, closing a window opening 2 provided in a wall 7 which in turn is provided with a sash frame 3. The sash frame 3 can be part of the wall 7 itself, for instance in form of a prefabricated component which is made an integral part of the wall during construction of the latter.

Hinges 4 and 5 are provided of which sections are directly mounted on the pane 1 itself, by means of adhesive bonding or welding. At the side or edge of the pane 1 which is opposite the location of the hinges 4 and 5, the pane l is provided with a latch 6 which is secured in the same manner as the hinges 4 and 5 and whose construction will be discussed in more detail subsequently.

In'FIG. 2 I have illustrated in a longitudinal section and on an enlarged scale the construction of the hinge 5 shown in FIG. 1, it being understood that the hinge 4 is constructed in a similar manner. The hinge 5 has a relatively large-area portion 5a a contact surface of which is directly adhesively bonded or welded to one side of the window pane 1. The portion 5a is connected with a sleeve 50 via a connecting portion 5b. The hinge 5 further comprises a second section having a hinge pin 5d which is connected with an angular portion having a horizontal arm 5e and a vertical arm 5f. An adjusting device in form of a double-dished spring 5g is placed onto the hinge pin 5d so as to be located between the arm 52 and the sleeve 50, respectively, whereby vertical adjustment for the sections of the hinge 5 is provided.

A threaded connector 5h, if desired provided with an expansion anchor 5c which can also be omitted if not needed, is connected directly with the wall '7 or with the sash frame 3; it extends through an opening 5f provided in the vertical 5f, and this opening may be either slot-shaped or at least have a cross-sectional area which is substantially greater than that of the connector 5h, so as to permit displacement of the arm 5f with reference to the connector. If the opening 5f is slotshaped it is advantageous that it be elongated in direction normal to the plane of the Figure in order to permit a corresponding displacement and adjustment during the installation of the window.

It is also possible to connect the section having the hinge pin to the support means directly via the arm 5e, and in many cases it may be advantageous and possible to so connect the arm 5f that it is secured to the support means in a position 90 displaced with reference to the one shown in FIG. 2, that is so that it will be located in a plane which is in parallel with the plane of the Figure.

In FIG. 3 I have shown a further embodiment of an adjustable hinge. Here the panel is identified with reference numeral 8 and has bonded or welded to it a plateshaped section 9 which carries a cylindrical bushing 10 having in turn an internal bushing 11, so that these bushings can be turned with reference to one another but with an axial-i.e., vertical-displacement of the bushings relative to one another being prevented. A cylindrical elastomeric element 12 of rubber or synthetic plastic material connects the bushing 11 with the hinge pin 13 which is connected to an angular support 14 via the angled portion 13a. The angular support 14 is provided with an opening 14a whose cross-sectional area is substantially larger than that of the screw 18, so that when the latter is released any desired adjustment, p0.- sitioning and re-securing in a plane normal to that of the drawing is possible. Of course, such adjustment will be within the limits dictated by the dimensions of the opening. The member 14 is secured to the surrounding support means 17 by means of a screw and an expansion anchor 16, or in other suitable manner. However, welding or other means of affixing are also possible, depending on the materials and other circumstances involved.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4 I have shown a detail illustrating how a rain-deflecting element 20 is connected to the outer side, that is the outwardly directed surface of a pane 19, upwardly spaced from the lower edge thereof. Thus, rain will run off and drip off this member 20. A sealing lip 21 is provided a portion 210 of which sealingly contacts the pane 19 and which is secured on an abutment profile 22a of a sash 22 with frame 23 or on another part of the support means. An opening 22b for run-off of condensate is covered by a readily bendable lip seal. The seal 21 with the portion 21b can of course also be directly bonded or otherwise secured to the outer side of the pane in the region of the lower edge portion thereof, and such a construction would permit a further simplification of the sash frame itself. The

elements

21 and 25 of FIGS. 4 and 5 could also be combined, particularly for compensating for unevennesses where larger surface areas are concerned.

FIG. 5 is similarly to FIG. 4 but shows an embodiment in which a sealing element 25 is differently configurated from the embodiment in FIG. 4, being bonded adhesively to the lower edge portion of the pane 24. A hollow profiled portion 25a of the member 25, with longitudinally extending channel 25b, can yieldably in readily deformable manner engage the edge of an abutment 26 which will be provided on the non-illustrated support means.

In FIG. 6 I have illustrated in a simplified view a further embodiment of the invention, having a glass pane 28 which is located in an opening of a wall or similar support means, if desired with the provision of a sash frame 27 on the support means. In this embodiment the left edge portion of the pane 28 is provided with two

hinges

29 and 30 and the lower or bottom edge portion is provided with two

further hinges

50 and 51. Those portions of the hinges which cooperate with the pane are directly bonded or welded to the latter, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 1, and the hinges themselves may be constructed in accordance with the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 to permit-the desired adjustment.

The portions of the hinges which project ouwardly beyond the pane are provided with

cylindrical portions

29a, 30a which accommodate hinge pins 33, 34 as well as 48 and 49.

Members

35 and 36 as well as 46 and 47 are connected with longitudinally displaceable rods .37 and 43 which themselves are held in

guides

38 and 39 and 44 and 45. These rods are held and guided at their end portions by means of bolts 37a, 43a in slotted openings 40a, 40b of a unit 40 having a bell crank 41, 42 or operating handle, in such a manner that depending on the position of the bell crank or handle 42 only the two

lower hinges

50 and 51 or the laterial hinges 29 and 30, or all hinges are in engagement. In other words, the support-means mounted sections and the panemounted sections of only the hinges 29 and 311 may be in engagement in which case the pane can be pivoted about an upright axis, the support means-mounted and the pane-mounted sections of only the

hinges

50 and 51 may be in engagement so that the pane can be pivoted about a horizontal axis, or all hinges may be in engagement so that the panel cannot be pivoted at all. The latching arrangement 31 corresponds to that discussed with respect to FIG. 1 and identified therein with reference numeral 6. A suitable unit 32 may also be provided at the upper end portion of the pane 28, constructed and operative in such a manner that is will hold the pane if the latter is pivoted about a horizontal axis by means of the

hinges

50 and 51, but will permit the swinging movement of the pane if the latter is pivoted about an upright axis defined by the

hinges

29 and 30. This arrangement of the four hinges, permitting the movement of the pane alternately about a horizontal or a vertical axis, and the operation and construction of the unit 32, are all known per se.

It is also possible to provide in the region of the righthand vertical edge of the pane 28 additional hinges (not shown) in which case the arrangement will be such that the support-means mounted and the panemounted sections of all three sets of hinges will be engaged so that the pane cannot be moved, or else that the pane can be pivoted either about a horizontal axis, a vertical axis along the left-hand side vertical edge portion or a vertical axis along the right-hand side vertical edge portion. This makes it possible to open the panel either towards the right-hand or towards the lefthand, or to pivot it about a horizontal axis.

Coming, finally, to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, it will be seen that herein I have disclosed a particularly advantageous embodiment of a latching arrangement utilizing a turning knob 55 which is connected on the pane 52 by means of bonding or welding via a plate portion 54. The pane 52 itself abuts against a projection 53 of a sash frame 53, if desired via the interposition of sealing elements. FIGS. 8 and 9 show that the knob 55 is turnably mounted on an angular member 59 via a shaft portion 55a and a plate or retaining portion 55b on an angular element 59 which in turn is fixed to the plate portion 54. The element 59 is provided with a substantially U-shaped guide for a sliding bar 56 which at the upper edge is retained in a further U- shaped guide 60a of a guide rail 60. The bar 56 is provided with a longitudinal slot 56a into which a bolt 55c engages which in turn is eccentrically connected to the knob 55. It will be seen (compare FIG. 8) that when the knob 55 is turned in clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow, the bar 56 will be displaced towards the right-hand side. This means that if the construction is such as is shown in more detail in FIG. 7, wherein a component 57 having a plurality of slots 58 is mounted on the frame 53 (which latter can of course be omitted and the mounting can take place directly on the wall or other support means) the leading portion of the bar 56 can be made to enter into any desired one of the slotted openings 58, depending upon the angle at which the pane is to be arrested.

Clearly, the various components which are to be directly mounted on the pane can be secured thereto in other ways than by bonding or welding. Clamping is a possibility and welded or bonded portions may be interposed between the pane and the respective component and the thing be clamped together if desired, for instance with the use of U-profiled elements, but also screws, rivets or the like can be used.

It is clear that the invention can be used not only with single windows by way of which it has been illustrated for the sake of explanation, but also in double windows, in sliding windows, pivoting windows, in windows which can be raised or lowered, as well as in doors having one or more panes which, in the latter case, may be suitably connected with one another.

Also, other means than those illustrated can be used for effecting the various desired adjustments, for instance eccentric devices, kardanic devices, and the like. This is particularly true as an alternative with respect to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3. Also, re-

mote control can be effected, particularly if the panes are very large and/or heavy, and in this case automatically operating adjusting and positioning means may be provided in such a manner that when the pane undergoes a certain amount of displacement and/or expansion due to thermal influences, an electrical contact is engaged by it which via a suitable control device provides a requisite differential adjustment in its positioning via pneumatic, hydraulic or motor-driven devices. Suitable rack and pinion means instead of an eccentric bolt can be utilized in such a context, and all of these possibilities can use elements and components which are known per se in the art.

Where FIG. 7 shows that an adjustment in the opening angle of the pane is possible, with several opening angles being predetermined by the provision of the slotted openings 58, it is also possible to provide for a continuous adjustment in the opening angle, for instance by using suitable clamping arrangemants or the like. Thedouble-dished spring shown in FIG. 2 can also be replaced with a spiral spring or another suitable spring element, if desired.

It has been found, in particular, that mounting and latching components can be most reliably and permanently directly secured to a glass pane (i.e. without the customary frame) if and when the differential coefficients of thermal expansion and contraction of the pane and the various components mounted thereon, can be compensated. Such expansion can be the result of sunlight or other sources of thermal energy and should, according to the invention, be compensated. On the other hand, it is also important that shear forces-acting parallel to the general plane of the samebe absorbed or transmitted between the pane and the components mounted thereon. The following embodiments are directed to these concepts.

Thus, FIG. 10, shows in a somewhat diagrammatic view an embodiment wherein the pane 61 has secured thereto a hinge component 63. interposed between them is an elastic tension compensating element 64 here and in all subsequent embodiments composed of a suitable elastomer such as rubber or plastic, which may be secured to pane 61 by means of a (nonillustrated) thin layer of a suitable bonding agent.

The surface area of element 64 is larger than that of portion 62 of the component 63, to assure that element 64 will surround and project outwardly beyond all edges of the portion 62. FIG. 10 also shows that the thickness of element 64 decreases from its middle outwardly toward its edges, preferably stepwise as shown in which case steps or ribs 64a may be formed. The middle portion of element 64 may in fact be so thick that the portion 62 can be partly or completely embedded in it, as shown in FIG. 10.

Shear forces which develop in this embodiment and act in parallelism with the general plane of the pane 61, decrease in direction towards the edges or margins of element 64, due to the configuration of the latter, whereby separation of the element 64 at its margins from pane 61 is prevented and reliable mounting of component 63 assured.

In FIGS. 11 and 12, I have shown an embodiment in which two or more (three illustrated) elastic compensating elements 66 are secured (e.g. bonded) to the glass pane 65 at spaced locations. A guide rail 67 is fixedly connected to elements 66 and slidably carries a movable rail 68, the purpose being to increase the range of relative movement between pane and hinge and/or latching components (not shown) which can be secured in suitable manner to rail 68 in such a manner that the major forces will act transversely to the direction of displacement of rail 68. The term major forces is intended to designate for instance the weight of the pane 65, or the force required for opening a door or window provided with this pane.

The embodiment of FIG. 13 is especially advantageous when the pane (here identified with reference numeral 69) is particularly large. In this embodiment, a hinge portion 70 which may be composed of rods as shown-has a hinge pivot 71 and is connected at four locations-corresponding to the corners of a rectangle-to respective compensating

elements

76,77,78 and 79. Between each of the elements 76-79 and the portion 70 there is located a mounting plate 72-75, respectively, and the elements 76-79 are bonded to pane 69.

In FIG. 14, a pane 80 has mounted thereto two or more (two shown) compensating

elements

82,83 which are vertically spaced and, eventually, also in direction normal to the plane of the drawing. A metallic expansion member 81 is fixed to both (or all) of the elements and provided with an offset portion 81a. In this manner the member 81, as well as the

elements

82 and 83, can compensate for stresses. The hinge and/or latching elements (not shown) are connected to member 81.

The embodiment of FIG. has a pane 84 provided with a projection 84a. A hinge or latching component 86 is connected to pane 84 in such a manner as to embrace the projection 84a which may, but need-not be, rib-shaped. A compensating element 85 is interposed between component 86 and pane 84, and its position in conjunction with the embraced projection 84a, assures advantageous compensation, and absorption of any shear forces.

In FIG. 16, l have illustrated an embodiment based on the same principle as that of FIG. 15, except that it differs therefrom in structural respects. l-Iere, pane 87 is provided with a recess 87a which accommodates the compensating element 89. The hinge or latching component 88 is in turn connected with the element 89.

The embodiment of FIG. 17, finally, utilizes a pane 90 the marginal portion 90a of which is angled,'preferably at 90, with reference to the remainder of the pane.

Secured to the inwardly directed side of the portion 90a are one or more compensating elements 93; additional compensating elements 92 may be provided on the inwardly directed side of the pane so as to be located in a plane which is substantially at a right angle to that of element (or elements) 93. The hinge or latching component 91 extends into the channel formed by the portion 900 and is secured to the element 93 (and 92, if the latter are provided). This embodiment also provides for advantageous distribution and compensation of shear and other significant forces acting between pane 90 and component 91.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a window or door construction, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changesmay be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific features of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. In a structure of the character described, in combination, support means having an opening; at least one glass pane in said opening; mounting means mounting said pane to said support means for displacement with reference to said opening, said mounting means comprising at least one unit having a first section mounted directly on said pane, and a second section mounted on said support means and connected with said first section for relative displacement; and adjusting means for permitting positional adjustment of at least one of said sections so as to at least reduce the transmission of stresses into said glass pane.

2. In a structure as defined in claim 1, said one section having a portion provided with a relatively largearea contact face in contact with and mounted on one side of said glass pane.

3. In a structure asdefined in claim 2, wherein said contact face is adhesively mounted on said glass pane.

4. In a structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said contact face is welded to said glass pane.

5. In a structure as defined in claim 1, one of said sections having a pin and the other section having a sleeve normally surrounding said pin so that said sections together constitute a hinge; and wherein said adjusting means comprises a spring surrounding said pin intermediate said sections.

6. In a structure as defined in claim 1, one of said sections having a pin and the other section having a sleeve normally surrounding said pin so that said sections together constitute a hinge; and wherein said adjusting means comprises an elastomeric cylindrical element interposed between said pin and sleeve so as to permit relative movement of said sections in direction longitudinally as well as transversely of said pin.

7. In a structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said pane is a window pane. 1

8. In a structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said pane is a door pane.

9. In a structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means comprises fastening means for fastening said second section to said support means in such a manner as to be adjustable relative to said support means in a plurality of mutually inclined directions.

10. In a structure as defined in claim 9, said adjusting means comprising a mounting hole in said second section and a threaded fastener of substantially smaller cross-sectional area than said mounting hole, extending through the latter and into said support means.

11. In a structure as defined in claim 1; and further comprising elastically yieldable compensating means interposed between said glass pane and said first section.

12. In a structure as defined in claim 1 1, said first section having an outline, and said compensating means comprising at least one compensating element projecting outwardly beyond said outline and having edge portions and a thickness which decreases outwardly in direction towards said edge portions.

13. In a structure as defined in claim 11, said compensating means comprising at least two compensating elements interposed between said first section and said pane, and being spaced from one another.

14. In a structure as defined in claim 13; further comprising a guide rail mounted on said compensating elements, and a slide rail slidably guided on said guide rail, said first section being mounted on said slide rail.

15. In a structure as defined in claim 11, said glass pane having a projection, and said compensating means comprising at least one compensating element embracing said projection and interposed between the same and said first section.

16. In a structure as defined in claim 11, said glass pane having a depression, and said compensating means comprising at least one compensating element accommodated in said depression and interposed between said glass pane and said first section.

17. In a structure of the character described, in combination, support means having an opening; at least one glass pane in said opening and subject to expansion and contraction in at least one direction; mounting means mounting said glass pane to said support means for displacement with reference to said opening, said mounting means comprising at least one unit having a first section mounted directly on said glass pane and a second section mounted on said support means and connected with said first section for relative displacement in said one direction; and resilient adjusting means interposed between said sections and permitting positional adjustment of said sections relative to one another in said one direction during expansion and/or contraction of said glass pane so as to at least reduce the transmission of stresses to said glass pane.

18. In a structure of the character described, in combination, support means having an opening; at least one frame-less glass pane in said opening; a hinge mounting said glass pane in said opening and comprising a first hinge section fixedly mounted on said support means, and a cooperating second hinge section directly mounted on said glass pane; and a resilient compensating element interposed between said hinge sections so as to compensate for stresses resulting from differential thermal expansion and/or contraction of said support means and glass pane.

Claims

2. In a structure as defined in claim 1, said one section having a portion provided with a relatively large-area contact face in contact with and mounted on one side of said glass pane.

3. In a structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said contact face is adhesively mounted on said glass pane.

7. In a structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said pane is a window pane.

8. In a structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said pane is a door pane.

12. In a structure as defined in claim 11, said first section having an outline, and said compensating means comprising at least one compensating element projecting outwardly beyond said outline and having edge portions and a thickness which decreases outwardly in direction towards said edge portions.