WO2007128990A1

WO2007128990A1 - Glazing assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2007128990A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/001318
Authority: WO
Inventors: Drew Mcclamroch Landsborough; Mara Ann Eagle
Original assignee: Drew Mcclamroch Landsborough; Mara Ann Eagle
Priority date: 2006-04-06
Filing date: 2007-04-05
Publication date: 2007-11-15
Also published as: GB2436847A; GB0606918D0

Abstract

A glazing assembly (2) comprises a frame member (6) comprising a plurality of apertures (8) for holding glazing panels (10). The glazing panels (10) are mounted in apertures (8) by a sealant adhesive (12) that retains elasticity when set, for example mastic. A first retaining member (14) comprises a plurality of first apertures (16) which correspond in shape to the plurality of apertures (8) of the frame member (6), but are slightly smaller in size. The first retaining member (14) is mounted to the frame member such that the first apertures (16) overly apertures (8) of the frame member (6) to form a plurality of small lips 18. A second retaining member 20 comprises a plurality of second apertures (22), the second apertures (22) having shapes corresponding to apertures (8) but being slightly smaller to form a plurality of second small lips (24) to prevent glazing panels (10) being removed from frame member (6) in a second direction. The first and second retaining members and the frame member form a load bearing laminate sandwich.

Description

GLAZING ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to a glazing assembly and a to method of forming a glazing assembly.

Stained and decorative glazing is traditionally formed from a plurality of coloured glazing panels mounted in a lead framework. A plurality of individual glass segments are each mounted in a lead frame and the lead frame sections are then soldered together.

This traditional manufacturing process is time consuming, expensive and requires skilled artisans. Also, decorative and stained glass windows formed from this method are relatively weak and can be blown in by high winds. This problem is exacerbated by lead corrosion. For example, a typical unprotected cathedral window may require re-leading every one hundred to one hundred and fifty years. Furthermore, humid climates accelerate lead corrosion.

In order to install traditional stained glass windows, work must be performed both inside and outside of the window meaning that scaffolding is generally required on the outside of the building. This makes installation of stained glass windows impractical for very tall buildings in terms of both cost and health and safety. This also makes repair of traditional stained glass windows installed in tall buildings difficult and costly.

Recent legislation has also tended towards banning the use of lead in new building constructions. However, there is a trend towards greater use of stained glass in building manufacture. GB2289081 describes a glazing system for an opening in a door frame. The system comprises a rectangular glazing panel sandwiched between a pair of masking panels. The masking panels have aligned openings to form a desired glazing pattern. The masking panels are formed from MDF and are attached to the rectangular glazing panel with sealant. The masking panels are purely decorative and do not support or retain the glazing panel.

US4610901 describes a stained glass assembly comprising a plurality of cut glass panes that are positioned between the inner surfaces of complementary lead gridworks so that the edges of each pane are separated from the edges of adjacent panes by spaces that form a network of continuous interconnected channels. The individual lead frameworks are then soldered together to form what is called a came-pane assemblage. The outer surface of one of the gridworks is then sealed to all adjacent glass surfaces with a releasable cement. ϋncured adhesive material is added to fill the network of channels between the panes in the cemented came- glass assemblage. The other gridwork is then positioned to form a sandwiched assemblage, such that the inner surfaces of each came-flange gridwork are in substantial contact with the uncured adhesive material in the channels between the panes. The epoxy is cured, and the releasable cement is then removed from the cut glass panel.

This type of assembly suffers from the drawback that it has relatively low strength because the glass panels are only supported by a sandwich of lead and epoxy. This assembly therefore suffers from many of the drawbacks of traditional stained glass.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome the above disadvantages of the prior art. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a glazing assembly comprising:

a frame member having at least one first aperture for receiving a respective glazing panel to support the or each glazing panel in a window aperture; and

at least one first retaining member adapted to be mounted to a first side of the frame member and including at least one second aperture for enabling viewing of at least part of the corresponding glazing panel and for forming a respective abutment for overlying at least a part of the or each said first aperture to prevent removal of glazing panels towards said first side of the frame member.

This provides the advantage that the frame member does not have to be adapted to hold the individual glazing panels which simplifies the manufacture of the frame member. This also means that the frame member and/or the first retaining member can be formed from a higher strength material than materials previously used for stained and decorative glazing. The first retaining member can be manufactured with apertures corresponding to those in the frame member, wherein the second apertures are shaped to form respective abutments for the glazing panels when the retaining member is mounted to the frame member, such that the frame member supports the glazing panels and the retaining member holds the panels in place .

By mounting the first retaining member to the frame member, the glazing assembly can be mounted in a window aperture of a building from the inside and the glazing panels then inserted into the glazing assembly without the need for access from the outside of the building. This means that the glazing -A- assembly can be easily and more safely mounted in all buildings .

By providing a respective abutment for overlying at least a part of the or each first aperture, this provides the advantage that the abutment prevents removal of the glazing panel for example by preventing the glazing panel being pushed inwardly by high winds, or being pushed outwardly by hand.

In a preferred embodiment, the or each said second aperture is smaller than the corresponding said first aperture such that a lip extending around at least part of an edge of said first aperture is formed when at least one said first retaining member is mounted to said frame member.

This provides the advantage of a reliable means for ensuring the glazing panel is retained in the frame member because the lip contacts the entire outer edge of the glazing panel should the glazing panel be pushed towards the retaining member .

In a preferred embodiment, the assembly further comprises at least one second retaining member adapted to be mounted to a second side of the frame member and including at least one third aperture for enabling viewing of at least part of the corresponding glazing panel and for forming a respective abutment for overlying at least a part of the or each said first aperture to prevent removal of glazing panels towards said second side of the frame member.

This provides the advantage of ensuring that the glazing panels are prevented from moving both inwardly and outwardly out of the glazing assembly. The or each said third aperture may be smaller than the corresponding said first aperture such that a lip extending around at least part of an edge said first aperture is formed when at least one said second retaining member is mounted to said frame member.

Said frame member may comprise a plurality of said first apertures for supporting a plurality of glazing panels and said first retaining member may comprise a plurality of second apertures forming respective abutments for overlying at least a part of each said first aperture to prevent removal of said glazing panels towards said first side of the frame member.

This provides the advantage that complex glazing patterns can be formed in the assembly.

At least one said second retaining member may include a plurality of third apertures forming respective abutments for overlying at least a part of each said first aperture to prevent removal of said glazing panels towards said second side of the frame member.

Said frame member may be formed from a material that is adapted to bear the load exerted on a window aperture in which the glazing assembly is mounted without further support .

This provides the advantage that larger, self-supporting single-span windows can be constructed. By using a material that can bear a load exerted on a window aperture in which the glazing assembly is mounted, this provides the advantage that extra support members are not required which can obscure the window. At least one said first and/or second retaining member is formed from a material that is adapted to bear the load exerted on a window aperture in which the glazing assembly is mounted without further support .

It has been found that a laminated assembly including first and/or second retaining members formed from a material that is adapted to bear the load exerted on a window aperture in which the glazing assembly is mounted increases the strength of the assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of said frame member, at least one said first retaining member and at least one said second retaining member is formed from metal.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of said frame member, at least one said first retaining member and at least one said second retaining member is formed from steel or aluminium.

Said frame member may be mounted to at least one said first and/or second retaining member by welding.

Said frame member may be mounted to at least one said first and/or second retaining member by screws or rivets.

Said frame member may be mounted to at least one said first and/or second retaining member by a sealant adhesive.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises at least one glazing panel mounted to at least one said first aperture by an adhesive that when set is adapted to absorb shock and vibration by allowing movement of the glazing panels . This provides advantage of a relatively simple and less costly method of mounting glazing panels to the window. This also provides the advantage that the glazing panels can be mounted to the window from the inside of a building preventing the need for scaffolding on the outside of the building. This also provides the advantage of allowing the assembly to absorb shock and vibration to prevent the glazing becoming damaged.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a glazing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising:

forming at least one first aperture in a frame member for receiving a respective glazing panel to support the or each glazing panel in a window aperture; and

forming at least one second aperture in a first retaining member, the or each said second aperture being adapted to enable viewing of at least part of the corresponding glazing panel and being adapted to form a respective abutment for overlying at least a part of the or each said first aperture to prevent removal of glazing panels towards a first side of the frame member.

This provides the advantage of a simple and less costly method of forming a decorative or stained glazing assembly.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a glazing assembly of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a view of the glazing assembly of Figure 1 from inside of a building;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of a glazing assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a glazing assembly of a second embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of a glazing assembly of a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a glazing assembly shown generally by reference numeral 2 comprises a frame member 6 formed from steel, carbon fibre, brass, aluminium, plastic, plastic glass or any other suitable material. Preferably, the frame member 6 is formed from a load bearing material that is suitable for bearing the load of a window aperture in which the assembly 2 is placed, although as will be described, the frame member can also be formed from a weaker material. Frame member 6 comprises a plurality of first apertures 8 for holding glazing panels 10. The glazing panels 10 are mounted in first apertures 8 by an adhesive 12 (Figure 3), for example mastic. The adhesive is preferably a sealant adhesive that retains elasticity when set to allow a small amount of movement of glazing panels 10, for example to allow the glazing assembly 2 to absorb vibration etc. Other adhesives that could be used are resins, fillers, grouting and adhesive tape. Also, a semi-rigid frame, for example of lead, could be mounted around each glazing panel 10.

A first retaining member 14 comprises a plurality of second apertures 16 which correspond in shape to the plurality of first apertures 8 of the frame member 6, but are slightly smaller in size. The configuration of the pluralities of apertures 8, 16 in Figures 1 and 2 is shown for illustrative purposes only, and it would be understood by the person skilled in the art that any configuration of apertures could be used to form any decorative pattern.

The first retaining member 14 is preferably formed from a load bearing material such as steel, carbon fibre, brass aluminium, reinforced plastic, plastic glass or any other suitable load bearing material, although other materials could be used. For example, a metal coated with a layer of gold could be used for decorative purposes. The first retaining member 14 is mounted to the frame member such that the second apertures 16 overlie first apertures 8 of the frame member 6 to form a plurality of small lips 18 (Figure 3) . The first retaining member 14 can be mounted to the frame member 6 by a plurality of methods. For example, welding, bonding with adhesive, screwing or riveting can be used.

Mounting the first retaining member 14 to the frame member 6 forms a load bearing laminate that can be used to form decorative glazing without the need for further support. Preferably, the first retaining member 14 is thicker and stronger than the frame member 6, although the first retaining member can also have the same strength and thickness as the frame member 6 if required. Alternatively, the first retaining member 14 can be purely decorative and the frame member 6 can be adapted to bear the required load.

A second retaining member 20 comprises a plurality of third apertures 22, the third apertures 22 having shapes corresponding to apertures 8 but being slightly smaller to form a plurality of second small lips 24 to prevent glazing panels 10 being removed from frame member 6 in a second direction. Second retaining member 20 may be mounted to frame member 6 by a plurality of methods. For example, welding, bonding with adhesives, screwing or riveting can be used. In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3, a plurality of screws 26 are used to mount the second retaining member 20 to the frame member 6 and welding is used to mount the first retaining member 14 to the frame member 6. Using screws on the second retaining member 20 provides the advantage that the second retaining member is removable to allow access to the glazing panels 10 for repair. This can be reversed, with screws 26 being used to mount first retaining member 14 to frame member 6 and welding being used to mount second retaining member 20 to frame member 6, or any other combination of mounting methods may be used. The assembled glazing assembly as shown in Figure 3 is mounted in the window frame 4 (Figure 1) of a building.

Preferably, the second retaining member 20 is thicker and stronger than the frame member 6, although the second retaining member 20 can also have the same strength and thickness as the frame member 6 if required. Alternatively, the second retaining member 20 can be purely decorative and the frame member 6 can be adapted to bear the required load.

The second retaining member 20 can be formed from a load bearing material such as steel, carbon fibre, brass aluminium, reinforced plastic, plastic glass or any other suitable load bearing material. Consequently, mounting the second retaining member 20 to the frame member 6 and first retaining member 14 forms a load bearing laminate of increased strength that can be used to form decorative glazing without the need for further support.

Referring to Figure 3, glazing panels 10 are mounted to frame member 6 by sealant adhesive 12 such that the glazing panels 10 can move slightly in their respective apertures to absorb vibration and stress. This means that wind blowing from the outside of a building or a person pushing the glazing panel 10 from the inside of the building can move the panels a small distance. However, if the glazing panels 10 move beyond this small distance, then lip 18 or lip 24 prevents the glazing panels from being pushed out of the glazing assembly.

Frame member 6 and first retaining member 14 and/or second retaining member 20 can be formed from a load bearing material such as steel, which enables the frame member 6 to form an integral part of the structure of a building. It has been found that a laminate sandwich assembly of this type has great strength in the vertical plane and is also flexible in the horizontal plane. This means that very large decorative glazing assemblies can be formed without the need for further support. The frame member 6 and retaining members 14, 20 also do not need to be flat as shown in Figure 1, they can also be curved to form curved glazing assemblies.

The frame member 6 and retaining members 14 and 20 can be cut from flat sheets of material using a computer controlled process, which reduces cost and increases the efficiency of the process. For example, first apertures 8 can be cut out of frame member 6 by using a high pressure water jet, laser cutting beam, ultrasonic beam, electron beam, or any other suitable cutting method that can be controlled by computer. Slightly smaller second and third apertures 16 and 22 can then also be cut by the same process.

To mount the glazing assembly 2 in a window frame, the frame member 6 is mounted to the first retaining member 14 and transported to the window frame, which may be for example on a building site. The assembled frame member 6 and first retaining member 14 is then mounted in the window frame in use. The individual glazing panels 10 are then mounted into the first apertures 8 of the frame member 6 using adhesive 12. Finally, the second retaining member 20 is mounted and bonded to the frame member 6 completing the assembly. In this way, the decorative glazing assembly 2 can be assembled entirely from the inside of a building without the need for a crane or scaffolding.

A glazing assembly of a second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 4, with parts common to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 denoted by like reference numerals but increased by 100.

Glazing panels 110 are mounted to frame member 106 with an adhesive 112. A first retaining member 114 is mounted to the frame assembly 106. However, no second retaining member is mounted to the frame member 106. This assembly is therefore cheaper to manufacture and can be used in areas where there is a low risk of wind blowing out the glass panels 110.

A glazing assembly of a third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 6, with parts common to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 denoted by like reference numerals but increased by 200.

A three dimensional glazing assembly 202 can be formed by using more than one frame member and a plurality of retaining members. A first glazing panel 210 is mounted by adhesive 212 to a first frame member 206. A second glazing panel 211 is mounted to a second frame member 207. First, second and third retaining members 214, 220 and 221 prevent the glazing panels 210, 211 from being pushed out of the assembly. A combination of screws 226 and welding is used to mount the retaining members to the frame members. In this way, an unlimited amount of frame members and retaining members can be used to manufacture elaborate three dimensional glazing assemblies .

The respective frame members and retaining members can be offset in a modular offset construction to increase strength. There is also no limit to the amount of layers of retaining members and frame members and configurations of offsetting that can be used.

Laminated modular panels enable several such panels to be juxtaposed on site and then joined (whether permanently by welding etc. or by screw fixing for maintenance reasons) to create potentially very large constructions, still without any need for additional supporting frames or bars, which might interrupt a decorative design.

Offsetting one or more retaining members across two or more frame members considerably strengthens such larger modular glazing constructions by not having potential weaknesses at panel or frame member junction meeting points (which might fail under pressure of explosion or extreme vibration for instance) .

The advantages of such offsetting of retaining members across such modular frame member junction points has anti-terrorist applications against bomb blasts, as well as reduced failure from earthquake shock movements, or from high winds such as tornados. The maintaining of the glass in the individual apertures without fracturing can result in considerably fewer casualties from flying glass in such situations.

The advantages from such offset lamination are also akin to the properties (for example) of laminated bullet proof glazing in bank windows. Energy is absorbed from shock or stress by means of the resin sealant laminated into the construction and spreads energy longitudinally where it is dissipated.

It will be appreciated by person skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the embodiments described use small lips 18, 24 to retain the glazing panels. However, smaller retaining portions such as small tabs could be used rather than lips that extend around the whole edge of the glazing panels.

Claims

1. A glazing assembly (2) comprising:

a frame member (6) having at least one first aperture (8) for receiving a respective glazing panel (10) to support the or each glazing panel in a window aperture; and

at least one first retaining member (14) adapted to be mounted to a first side of the frame member and including at least one second aperture (16) for enabling viewing of at least part of the corresponding glazing panel and for forming a respective abutment (18) for overlying at least a part of the or each said first aperture to prevent removal of glazing panels towards said first side of the frame member.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the or each said second aperture (16) is smaller than the corresponding said first aperture (8) such that a first lip (18) extending around at least part of an edge of said first aperture is formed when at least one said first retaining member (14) is mounted to said frame member (6) .

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least one second retaining member (20) adapted to be mounted to a second side of the frame member and including at least one third aperture (22) for enabling viewing of at least part of the corresponding glazing panel and for forming a respective abutment for overlying at least a part of the or each said first aperture (8) to prevent removal of glazing panels towards said second side of the frame member .

4. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein the or each said third aperture is slightly smaller than the corresponding said first aperture such that a second lip (24) extending around at least part of an edge of said first aperture is formed when at least one said second retaining member is mounted to said frame member.

5. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said frame member comprises a plurality of said first apertures for supporting a plurality of glazing panels, and said first retaining member comprises a plurality of second apertures forming respective abutments for overlying at least a part of each said first aperture to prevent removal of said glazing panels towards said first side of the frame member.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein at least one said second retaining member includes a plurality of third apertures forming respective abutments for overlying at least a part of each said first aperture to prevent removal of said glazing panels towards said second side of the frame member.

7. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said frame member is formed from a material that is adapted to bear the load exerted on a window aperture in which the glazing assembly is mounted without further support .

8. An assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein at least one said first and/or second retaining member is formed from a material that is adapted to bear the load exerted on a window aperture in which the glazing assembly is mounted without further support.

9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein at least one of said frame member, at least one said first retaining member and at least one said second retaining member is formed from metal.

10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein at least one of said frame member, at least one said first retaining member and at least one said second retaining member is formed from steel or aluminium.

11. An assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said frame member is mounted to at least one said first and/or second retaining member by welding.

12. An assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said frame member is mounted to at least one said first and/or second retaining member by screws or rivets.

13. An assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said frame member is mounted to at least one said first and/or second retaining member by an adhesive.

14. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one glazing panel mounted to at least one said first aperture by an adhesive that when set is adapted to absorb shock and vibration by allowing movement of the glazing panels.

15. A method of forming a glazing assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising:

forming at least one first aperture (8) in a frame member (6) for receiving a respective glazing panel (10) for supporting the or each glazing panel in a window aperture; and

forming at least one second aperture (16) in a first retaining member (14), the or each said second aperture being adapted to enable viewing of at least part of the corresponding glazing panel and being adapted to form a respective abutment (18) for overlying at least a part of the or each said first aperture to prevent removal of glazing panels towards a first side of the frame member.