WO1999058802A1

WO1999058802A1 - A multiple glazing unit retaining system

Info

Publication number: WO1999058802A1
Application number: PCT/IE1999/000003
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simon Joseph Kenny
Original assignee: Simon Joseph Kenny
Priority date: 1998-05-12
Filing date: 1999-01-19
Publication date: 1999-11-18
Also published as: IE990040A1; GB2337278B; GB9901090D0; IES980706A2; GB2337278A; AU2071399A; IES80702B2

Abstract

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

Description

- 1 -

A MULTIPLE GLAZING UNIT RETAINING SYSTEM

Introduction

The invention relates to a glazing unit system, especially for use in curtain walling.

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

WO-A-95/ 13439 describes a glazing unit comprising glass sheets which are said to be anchored to a support by fastening elements. A protector elements has a U- shaped portion that extends around the edge of the inner pane and it placed to assist in spreading a sealing compound between the panes.

EP-A-628672 describes a glazing unit in which fixing elements are embedded in a sealing material between adjacent glass plates. The fixing element has a hook-like projection which is engaged in a slot formed in the external glass sheet.

GB-A-2167110 describes a glazing unit in which a channel shaped member is engaged in the edge of double glazed sheets. A holder is used to fix the channel shaped member in place. An elastic material is provided between the head of the holder and the channel shaped members.

WO- A-87-06644 A describes a glazing unit in which a resilient member is received between glass sheets and projects beyond the plates for anchoring to a building. - 2 -

There are several problems with such conventional arrangements. In particular, because of the fixing means used it is generally not possible to guarantee the integrity of the seal. In addition, these systems are generally not practical as they require modifications to the glass and/or are difficult to fit effectively. Further, the retaining force is not effectively distributed in most cases.

This invention is therefore directed towards providing a glazing assembly which will overcome at least some of these problems and which may consequently be used in a wide range of applications, especially for curtain walling.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a glazing unit retaining system for a glazing unit having at least two sheets of glass, adjacent sheets being separated by a spacer means comprising an inner spacer bar and an outer seal extending around the periphery of the spacer bar and between the sheets of glass, the retaining system comprising a plurality of peripherally spaced-apart retaining inserts for insertion into the outer seal, a glazing frame profile section extending outwardly over the inserts and having mounting means for fixing directly or indirectly to a support, and locking means for extending between the glazing profile section and laterally adjacent retaining inserts.

The retaining system is of simple cheap construction and is readily fitted. Because a glazing frame profile section extends outwardly the sight lines at the joint between adjacent glazing units are optimised as a minimum area of the marginal edges of the glass sheets are occluded by non-transparent material. An architectural recess feature may thereby be provided. A cleaner glass faςade may also be provided because water does not wash directly from an upper pane to a lower pane. Therefore, less streaks develop. - 3 -

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

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

Ideally, the locking pin is engagable through an undersize hole in the glazing profile section for positive engagement between the pin and the section on insertion through the profile section.

Preferably the pin includes a lead-in chamfered portion for initial engagement in the hole of the profile section.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the outer surface of the pin is knurled for positive engagement between the profile section and the pin.

Most preferably the fixing insert is a snug fit to the faces of the adjacent sheets of glass.

This is particularly important as because an insert is substantially flush with the inner faces of the glass sheets it is easily fitted, the integrity of sealing is ensured with maximum wind force resistance and load force transfer.

Ideally, the fixing insert is of a material to transmit a load of the glass. The fixing inserts may be of plastics or nylon material.

These features are particularly important in providing inserts of relatively cheap consistent construction which facilitate load transfer to the glass. In a preferred arrangement the fixing insert has a base wall section, side wall and end wall sections which define the slot for receiving the locking pin.

This construction of insert is particularly advantageous as in a relatively simple moulded piece on effective fixing is provided.

In one embodiment of the invention the fixing insert includes limiting means for limiting the insertion of the insert into the outer seal. This may be advantageous in some cases to avoid over insertion into the outer seal.

The limiting means preferably comprises a sidewardly extending flange means. The flange may be continuous or interrupted.

In one embodiment of the invention the fixing insert includes guide means for guiding the insertion of the insert into the outer seal.

- 5 - The guide means may comprise side ribs extending sidewardly of the fixing insert.

The body of the insert may also be shaped for example with inclined surfaces to facilitate ease of insertion.

The support may be a mullion or transom of a curtain walling system. The glazing assembly is particularly suited to such a system.

The invention also provides a curtain walling comprising a plurality of glazing assemblies of the invention.

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

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a retaining system according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of part of the retaining system;

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of part of the retaining system;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a detail of the retaining system; - 6 -

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of an alternative construction of retaining system;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of another retaining system according to the invention;

Fig. 7 is perspective view of part of the retaining system of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a retaining insert used in the retaining system of Figs. 6 and 7;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the retaining insert;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the retaining insert;

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view on the line A-A in Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view on the line B-B in Fig. 10.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 4 thereof there is illustrated a retaining system for retaining in this case double glazing units 1, 2 to a support 3 such as a transom or mullion of a curtain walling system. Each glazing unit 1, 2 in this case comprises inner and outer sheets 5, 6 of glass which are separated by a standard spacer bar 7. The spacer bar 7 may have primary seals (not shown) of polyisobutylene between side marginal edges and the glass sheets 5, 6. An outer secondary seal 10 extends around the outer periphery of the spacer bar 7 and between the sheets of glass 5, 6. The outer seal 10 is formed by injecting a curable silicone rubber sealant to fill the gap between the outer face of the spacer bar 7 and the outer edges of the sheets of glass 5, 6. A suitable seal is, for example, that sold - 7 - under the name Elastosil 500 (Elastosil is a registered trademark of Wacher- Chemie GmbH). It is a non-sag condensation cross-linking, two-part silicone rubber with a high mechanical strength and resistance to weathering.

A plurality of peripherally spaced-apart retaining inserts 15 are inserted into the outer seal 10 leaving a depth of outer seal between the spacer bar 7 and the inserts 15. This ensures the integrity of the seal 10. The seal 10 is not removed back to the spacer bar 5 but a depth of seal is retained between the spacer bar 6 and the fixing insert 50.

Each retaining insert 15 has an elongate longitudinally extending slot 16 engagable by a ferrule pin 20. The slot 16 provides a tolerance for ease of location, on fixing of the pin 20.

Each pin 20 is fitted through an undersized hole 25 in a retaining profile section

26, juxtaposed profile sections being fixed to the support 3 by a fixing screw 30 which engages in a nose part 32 of the support 3. Each pin 20 includes a chamfered leading portion 29 which, in use, is engaged in the associated hole 25. The pin 20 is then forced through the hole 25, the knurled outer surface of the pin biting into the aluminium around the hole 25 to firmly secure the pin 20 in position. The pin 20 is extended in this way through the profile section 26 and into the associated slot 16 in the retaining insert 15. It will be noted that the profile sections 26 extend outwardly in this case to the plane of the outer face of the glass sheets 5. A seal 40 is provided between each section 26 and the associated sheet 5. The profile sections 26 may be secured directly or indirectly to the associated support 3.

The retaining system is of simple cheap construction and is readily fitted. Most importantly, because of the configuration of the profile sections extending outwardly the sight lines at the joint between adjacent glazing units are optimised - 8 - as a minimum area at the marginal edges of the glass sheets 5, 6 are occluded by non-transparent material.

The invention provides a system in which glass is retained to a frame profile without the use of frame fixed glazing beads to the front of the glass and without the need to use structural bonding silicone between the inner face of the glass. The preferred gasket arrangement 80 is shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 6 a bonding tape 82 of silicone is used.

The glazing system may include sashes which can be fixed and hung by hinges and openable.

Referring to Fig. 5 there is illustrated part of another retaining system according to the invention in which parts similar to those described above are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case the sight lines are further improved by extending the outer glass sheet 5 so that it also covers the profile section 26.

Referring to Figs. 6 to 12 there is illustrated another retaining system according to the invention which is similar to the retaining system described above, like parts being assigned the same reference numerals. In this case retaining insert 50 has a base 51, a pair of side walls 52, and a pair of end walls 53. The outer faces of the end walls 53 are inclined inwardly for ease of positive engagement in the sealing material 10. Side flanges 55 extend laterally at the outer face of the insert 50 for engagement, in use, with the edges of the sheets of glass 5, 6. This ensures that the retaining insert 50 are accurately aligned, on fitting as the depth to which the insert 50 can penetrate the seal 10 is thereby limited. In addition, the outer face of each side wall 52 includes projecting ribs 58 to more positively key the retaining insert 50 with the glass. The rib or ribs 58 are in this case of general semi-circular shape in transverse cross section. However, they may be of any suitable shape or indeed, keying may be provided by additional ribs and/ or slots. - 9 -

It may be possible to form slots 15 in the outer seal 10, before it has cured, by inserting an appropriately sized forming tool into the body of the seal 10 leaving the desired fixing insert receiving slots 15 on curing of the seal.

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

Claims

- 10 - CLAIMS

1. A glazing unit retaining system for a glazing unit having at least two sheets of glass, adjacent sheets being separated by a spacer means comprising an inner spacer bar and an outer seal extending around the periphery of the spacer bar and between the sheets of glass, the retaining system comprising a plurality of peripherally spaced-apart retaining inserts for insertion into the outer seal, a glazing frame profile section extending outwardly over the inserts and having mounting means for fixing directly or indirectly to a support, and locking means for extending between the glazing profile section and laterally adjacent retaining inserts.

2. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking means comprises a locking pin extending between the glazing profile section and a corresponding receiver in the retaining insert.

3. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the receiver in the retaining insert is an elongate slot.

4. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the locking pin is engagable through an undersize hole in the glazing profile section for positive engagement between the pin and the section on insertion through the profile section.

5. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the pin includes a lead-in chamfered portion for initial engagement in the hole of the profile section.

6. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the outer surface of the pin is knurled for positive engagement between the profile section and the pin. - 11

7. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each retaining insert is a snug fit to the faces of the adjacent sheets of glass.

8. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the retaining inserts are of a material to transmit a load to the glass.

9. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the retaining inserts are of plastics material.

10. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the retaining inserts are of nylon material.

11. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the retaining insert has a base wall section, side wall and end wall sections which define a slot for receiving the locking means.

12. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the retaining insert includes limiting means for limiting the insertion of the insert into the outer seal.

13. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the limiting means comprises a sidewardly extending flange means.

14. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the retaining insert includes guide means for guiding the insertion of the insert into the outer seal.

15. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the guide means comprises side ribs extending sidewardly of the retaining insert. - 12 -

16. A glazing unit retaining system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support is a mullion or transom of a curtain walling system.

17. A glazing unit retaining system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

19. A glazing assembly including a number of the glazing units of claim 18.

20. A curtain walling including a number of the glazing units of claim 18.