WO2008061322A1

WO2008061322A1 - Glazing gasket

Info

Publication number: WO2008061322A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/001811
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Adderton; Peter Smithson
Original assignee: Balu Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-11-23
Filing date: 2007-11-23
Publication date: 2008-05-29

Abstract

An elongate glazing gasket (13) for use with a glass panel (11) is disclosed. The gasket includes: an elongate panel edge receiving member (40) having internal walls defining a laterally opening channel (14) extending along its length for receiving an edge of the panel (11) and having a part-cylindrical outer peripheral surface (49); a wedge portion (60); and a flexible flap portion (50). The flap portion connects the wedge portion (60) to the receiving member (40). The flap portion (50) allows the wedge portion (60) to move between an open position for receiving the edge of the panel (11) and a closed position for securing the edge of the panel (11). The wedge portion (60) and the channel (14) are co-operable so as to lock the wedge portion (60) to the channel (14) when the wedge is forced between the panel (11) and the channel (14). The gasket (13) is extruded from one or more polymers.

Description

GLAZING GASKET

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to glass panel assemblies. In particular, the invention relates to means for securing the edges of glass panels to adjacent supports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically glass panels are supported by frames or posts made from metal or other rigid materials. Typically, gaskets are provided between the frames or posts and glass. Gaskets may either be extruded polymer or plastic material in solid form or alternatively may be formed from liquid materials such as silicone that sets to form a solid gasket.

Where large glass panels are used, particularly in outside environments subject to wind and other loads, securement of the panel edges to frames or posts is particularly important. The gaskets used to secure the panel edges should be designed to securely hold the edges for all design conditions.

Some known gasket methods suffer from difficulty of installation. It is important that gaskets allow for easy and foolproof installation to minimise costs and to maximise the security of a securement between the glass panel edge and the frame or support posts.

Gaskets are generally shaped for installation into a channel of some sort in a fixed orientation. In some applications, this lack of flexibility can have disadvantages. International Patent Application No. PCT/ AU99/ 00020 entitled "A PANEL FIXING SYSTEM" and published as WO 99/36637 discloses a supported (glass) panel assembly that provides significant advantages over earlier post supported glass panel assemblies. In particular, the assembly disclosed allows installers to use a single type of extruded post to support large glazing panels for cafe surrounds, pool surrounds and for balustrades. Using the system disclosed in the aforementioned International patent application, adjacent glazing panels can be rotated with respect to their supporting posts. A panel edge receiving member 13 or "rotator bar" (shown in Figure 1 of the present application) allows this rotation and is explained in detail in the afore-mentioned International application. The rotator bar both aids instillation and provides for a very flexible system that can accommodate complex angled perimeters. Typically, with this system, liquid silicone 15 is used to secure the glass 11 into the receiving member 13 as illustrated in Figure 1.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved gasket.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved post and gasket assembly.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved glass panel assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an elongate glazing gasket for use with a glass panel, the gasket including: an elongate panel edge receiving member having internal walls defining a laterally opening channel extending along its length for receiving an edge of the panel and having a part-cylindrical outer peripheral surface; a wedge portion; and a flexible flap portion, the flap portion connecting the wedge portion to the receiving member, wherein the flap portion allows the wedge portion to move between an open position for receiving the edge of the panel and a closed position for securing the edge of the panel.

Preferably the wedge portion and the channel are co-operable so as to lock the wedge portion to the channel when the wedge is forced between the panel and the channel.

Preferably the wedge portion includes a plurality of spaced apart parallel ridges, the ridges operable to lock the wedge portion to the channel when the wedge is forced between the panel and the channel.

Preferably the channel is substantially U-shaped and wherein the walls are divergent.

Preferably the gasket includes an extruded polymer.

Preferably the gasket includes a co-extrusion of two or more polymers, a first of the polymers having a first hardness and the second of the polymer having a second hardness, the first hardness being less that the second hardness.

Preferably the flap portion is extruded from the first polymer.

Preferably the panel edge receiving member includes an outer portion extruded from the second polymer, the outer portion defining a rigid part-cylindrical outer peripheral surface. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a post and gasket assembly including: a post having an elongate laterally opening part-cylindrical recess extending along its length; and an elongate glazing gasket received within the recess, the gasket including: an elongate panel edge receiving member having internal walls defining a laterally opening channel extending along its length for receiving an edge of the panel and having an outer peripheral wall shaped so as to allow rotation within the recess about a lengthwise axis of the post; a wedge portion; and a flexible flap portion, the flap portion connecting the wedge portion to the receiving member, the flap portion allowing the wedge portion to move between an open position for receiving the edge of the panel and a closed position for securing the edge of the panel.

Preferably the outer peripheral wall of the receiving member is part-cylindrical in shape.

Preferably the channel is substantially U-shaped and wherein the walls are divergent. Preferably the gasket includes an extruded polymer.

Preferably the flap portion is extruded from the first polymer.

Preferably the panel edge receiving member includes an outer portion extruded from the second polymer, the outer portion defining a rigid part cylindrical outer peripheral surface.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a supported glass panel assembly comprising: a glass panel having first and second parallel edges and two opposite sides; a post having an elongate laterally opening part-cylindrical recess extending along its length; and an elongate glazing gasket received within the recess, the gasket including: an elongate panel edge receiving member having internal walls defining a laterally opening channel extending along its length for receiving an edge of the panel and having an outer peripheral wall shaped so as to allow rotation within the recess about a lengthwise axis of the post; a wedge portion; and a flexible flap portion, the flap portion connecting the wedge portion to the receiving member, the flap portion allowing the wedge portion to move between an open position for receiving the edge of the panel and a closed position for securing the edge of the panel. Preferably the outer peripheral wall of the receiving member is part-cylindrical in shape.

Preferably the gasket includes an extruded polymer.

Preferably the flap portion is extruded from the first polymer.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described in some further detail with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures. This embodiment is illustrative, and is not meant to be restrictive of the scope of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying representations in which:

Figure 1 shows an isomertic view of a post and glass panel assembly according to background art.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of a single piece gasket according to the invention; Figure 3 shows the glazing gasket of Figure 2 in position between a glazing panel and a support post;

Figure 4 is a similar view to that of Figure 3 marked with the wedge of the glazing gasket in its final installed position;

Figure 5a & 5b are isometric views of the supporting post supporting a pair of gaskets as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the gaskets supporting glass panels;

Figure 6 is a plan view showing a plurality of posts, glazing gaskets and glazing panels in their assembled condition; and

Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are plan views showing the progressive installation of a glazing panel between the posts using the glazing gaskets of Figures 2 to 4. Figure 8 shows a plan view of an alternative single piece gasket according to the invention.

Referring to Figure 2, a glazing gasket 13 is shown. The gasket has an elongate panel edge receiving member 40, a wedge portion 60 and a flexible flap portion 50 connecting the wedge portion 60 to the edge receiving member 40. The receiving member has in internal walls 42, 43 and 44 which define a substantially U-shaped laterally opening channel 14 extending along its length. The receiving member 40 has a part cylindrical outer peripheral surface 49. The flap portion 50 allows the portion 60 to move between an open position for receiving an edge 11a of a panel 11 and a closed position for securing the panel edge 11a as is shown progressively in figures 3 and 4.

The wedge portion 60 and the channel 14 are co-operable so as to lock the wedge portion 60 to the channel 14 when the wedge 60 is forced between the glass 11 and the channel 14.

The wedge portion 60 includes a plurality of spaced apart parallel ridges 32, the ridges operable to lock the wedge portion 60 to the grooves with the wall 42 of the channel 14 when the wedge 60 is forced between the glass 11 and the channel wall 42.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, the single piece of glazing gasket 30 is a single piece polymer extrusion such as silicone. In other embodiments of the invention, other polymers including polypropylene may be used.

In some applications it is desirable to have the flexible flap portion 50 made from a more pliant and softer material than the remainder of the glazing gasket 13. With such applications, a co-extruded glazing gasket 13 maybe used. The co- extrusion may include two or more plastics. For instance, a relatively hard polypropylene plastic may be used for the edge receiving member 40 and the wedge portion 60 and a more pliant and softer polymer such as a thermo plastic elastomer may be used for the flexible flap portion 50.

Referring now to Figure 8, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown where the gasket includes a co-extrusion of two polymers. The first polymer, which forms the wedge portion 60, the flap portion 50 and the bulk to the edge receiving member 40, has first hardness. The second polymer of the co-extrusion 48 has a second hardness, the second hardness being more than the first hardness. In this way, the gasket 13 illustrated in Figure 8 is more rigid than the gasket shown in Figures 1 to 7d. This aids in installation while at the same time allows a softer and more flexible polymer to be used for the remainder of the gasket 13.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a supported glass panel assembly as illustrated in Figures 5a, 5b, 6, 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d. Referring first to Figure 67, a supported glass panel assembly 100 having a glass panel 11 is shown. The panel 11 has first and second parallel edges 11a and lib, and two opposite sides lie and Hd. A pair of spaced apart panel support assemblies 100 and 100' supporting respective first and second panel edges Ha and Hb forms part of the assembly.

Each panel support assembly 100 and 100' comprises a post 10 having an elongate laterally opening part cylindrical recess 12 extending along its length; and an elongate single piece glazing gasket 13. The glazing gasket 13 has been described above with reference to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5. Referring again to Figure 5 it can be seen that the glazing gasket 13 had an outer peripheral wall 49 shaped so as to allow rotation within the recess 12 about a lengthwise axis of the post.

Construction of a supported glass panel assembly such as that shown in Figure 6 will now be described with reference to Figure 6, and 7a to 7d. Referring first to Figure 6, post 10 (four of which are shown in this Figure: of course more can be used) is secured to the ground or other horizontal surface (for instance a balcony). Once secured in place, the glazing gaskets 13 are installed within recesses 12 within the post 10. Referring now to Figure 7a, a panel (for instance a glass panel) 11 is "pocketed" into the U-shaped channel 14 of the glazing gasket 13. Pocketing is achieved by manoeuvring an edge Hb of the panel 11 horizontally into the U- shaped channel or pocket 14. Once in the position shown in Figure 7a, the panel 11 can be rotated such that it's edge 11a (opposite to edge lib) enters the U- shaped channel 14' of a second glazing gasket 13'. Arrow "A" indicates the direction of movement of the panel edge 11a.

Referring now to Figure 7b the panel 11 is shown between posts 10 and 10' within gaskets 13 and 13'. Next, the panel 11 is moved in the direction of arrow "B" and is centralised between the posts 10 and 10' as is shown in Figure 7c. Finally, the wedge portions 14 and 14' are rotated in the directions of arrows C and C respectively into the position shown in Figure 7d to securely contain the panel edges 11a and lib within respective glazing gaskets 13' and 13.

Figure 5b shows an alternative orientation of the gasket 13. This orientation will not be favoured for balconies where the installers will be on the side of the post having the pointed edge (due to the difficulty in accessing the wedge portion 60).

As stated above, various materials can be used to produce the glazing gaskets 13 for use as described above. Similarly, various materials can be used to construct the posts 10 and 20. Depending on the materials used, it may be necessary to introduce a lubricant to facilitate easier rotation of the glazing gasket with respect to the posts 10 and 10'. Any suitable lubricant could be used. For instance water with detergent added may be suitable in some applications.

The above described glazing gasket facilitates quick and easy construction of supported glass panel assemblies and minimized the chances of faulty installations.

The above described invention will find numerous applications ranging from glass screen or wall assemblies, balustrades, or any other application where panels need to be held between support posts. In addition to using the invention on horizontal surfaces, it could also be used on inclines such as the side of stairs or on sloping ground.

The above described supported glass panel assembly performs well where panel impacts may occur. The plastic glazing gasket provides a cushioning effect reducing the chances of failure of either the panel 11 or its supporting posts 10.

While the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment in order to facilitate a better understanding of the invention, it should be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the invention therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modification within its scope.

Claims

THE CLAIMS

1. An elongate glazing gasket for use with a glass panel, the gasket including: an elongate panel edge receiving member having internal walls defining a laterally opening channel extending along its length for receiving an edge of the panel and having a part-cylindrical outer peripheral surface; a wedge portion; and a flexible flap portion, the flap portion connecting the wedge portion to the receiving member, wherein the flap portion allows the wedge portion to move between an open position for receiving the edge of the panel and a closed position for securing the edge of the panel.

2. A gasket as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wedge portion and the channel are co-operable so as to lock the wedge portion to the channel when the wedge is forced between the panel and the channel.

3. A gasket as claimed in claim 2 wherein the wedge portion includes a plurality of spaced apart parallel ridges, the ridges operable to lock the wedge portion to the channel when the wedge is forced between the panel and the channel.

4. A gasket as claimed in claim 3 wherein the channel is substantially U- shaped and wherein the walls are divergent.

5. A gasket as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gasket includes an extruded polymer.

6. A gasket as claimed in claim 5 wherein title gasket includes a co-extrusion of two or more polymers, a first of the polymers having a first hardness and the second of the polymer having a second hardness, the first hardness being less that the second hardness.

7. A gasket as claimed in claim 6 wherein the flap portion is extruded from the first polymer.

8. A gasket as claimed in claim 7 wherein the panel edge receiving member includes an outer portion extruded from the second polymer, the outer portion defining the part-cylindrical outer peripheral surface.

9. A post and gasket assembly including: a post having an elongate laterally opening part-cylindrical recess extending along its length; and an elongate glazing gasket received within the recess, the gasket including: an elongate panel edge receiving member having internal walls defining a laterally opening channel extending along its length for receiving an edge of the panel and having an outer peripheral wall shaped so as to allow rotation within the recess about a lengthwise axis of the post; a wedge portion; and a flexible flap portion, the flap portion connecting the wedge portion to the receiving member, the flap portion allowing the wedge portion to move between an open position for receiving the edge of the panel and a closed position for securing the edge of the panel.

10. A post and gasket assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the outer peripheral wall of the receiving member is part-cylindrical in shape.

11. A gasket as claimed in claim 10 wherein the wedge portion and the channel are co-operable so as to lock the wedge portion to the channel when the wedge is forced between the panel and the channel.

12. A gasket as claimed in claim 11 wherein the wedge portion includes a plurality of spaced apart parallel ridges, the ridges operable to lock the wedge portion to the channel when the wedge is forced between the panel and the channel.

13. A gasket as claimed in claim 12 wherein the channel is substantially U- shaped and wherein the walls are divergent.

14. A gasket as claimed in claim 9 wherein the gasket includes an extruded polymer.

15. A gasket as claimed in claim 14 wherein the gasket includes a co-extrusion of two or more polymers, a first of the polymers having a first hardness and the second of the polymer having a second hardness, the first hardness being less that the second hardness.

16. A gasket as claimed in claim 15 wherein the flap portion is extruded from the first polymer.

17. A gasket as claimed in claim 16 wherein the panel edge receiving member includes an outer portion extruded from the second polymer, the outer portion defining the part-cylindrical outer peripheral surface.

18. A supported glass panel assembly comprising: a glass panel having first and second parallel edges and two opposite sides; a post having an elongate laterally opening part-cylindrical recess extending along its length; and an elongate glazing gasket received within the recess, the gasket including: an elongate panel edge receiving member having internal walls defining a laterally opening channel extending along its length for receiving an edge of the panel and having an outer peripheral wall shaped so as to allow rotation within the recess about a lengthwise axis of the post; a wedge portion; and a flexible flap portion, the flap portion connecting the wedge portion to the receiving member, the flap portion allowing the wedge portion to move between an open position for receiving the edge of the panel and a closed position for securing the edge of the panel.

19. A post and gasket assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein the outer peripheral wall of the receiving member is part-cylindrical in shape.

20. A gasket as claimed in claim 19 wherein the wedge portion and the channel are co-operable so as to lock the wedge portion to the channel when the wedge is forced between the panel and the channel.

21. A gasket as claimed in claim 20 wherein the wedge portion includes a plurality of spaced apart parallel ridges, the ridges operable to lock the wedge portion to the channel when the wedge is forced between the panel and the channel.

22. A gasket as claimed in claim 18 wherein the gasket includes an extruded polymer.

23. A gasket as claimed in claim 22 wherein the gasket includes a co-extrusion of two or more polymers, a first of the polymers having a first hardness and the second of the polymer having a second hardness, the first hardness being less that the second hardness.

24. A gasket as claimed in claim 23 wherein the flap portion is extruded from the first polymer.

25. A gasket as claimed in claim 24 wherein the panel edge receiving member includes an outer portion extruded from the second polymer, the outer portion defining the part-cylindrical outer peripheral surface.

26. A gasket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

27. A post and gasket assembly as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

28. A supported glass panel assembly as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.