Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Multiroom or level – Curtain-wall; i.e. – panel attached outside floor or beam
Patent
1990-07-09
1993-02-16
Scherbel, David A.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Multiroom or level
Curtain-wall; i.e., panel attached outside floor or beam
E04C 246
Patent
active
051859793
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention concerns a process for the assembly of sheets of glass to metal structures, the means capable of assembling the aforementioned, and the assembly thus obtained.
In recent years the construction business has seen a considerable increase in the use of glass; one only has to think of the great public buildings, towers etc. with entire sides made of reflective glass. Along with this architectural evolution unfortunately problems arise in the assembly between the metal structures or frames and the sheets of glass.
At the present time it is difficult to have a safe fixing i.e. a good weatherproof adhesion which also resists for years to atmospheric agents and to the progressive pollution of the air.
A good adhesion of the glass to the metal can only be guaranteed when the metal surfaces have undergone special treatments compatible with the seal and are therefore subject to precise and severe controls. All this in the building practice results in considerably increased costs and working time, without necessarily achieving absolute safety due to the fact that the aluminium or other metal used, can be different for many reasons to the analyzed sample.
DE-A-2 308 457 teaches how to join a peripheral bead or section bar containing glass fibres, glass particles or the like to the sheet of glass, by means of glues or cement (therefore rigid adhesives). This bead is blocked in such a way to form a substantially rigid unit with the sheet of glass. However this kind of joint cannot be used in the structural glazings subject to thermal and mechanical stresses. It is furthermore difficult to handle the sheets of glass which have such a bead. Finally the fixing of the bead to iron or concrete structures is difficult, as it should allow differentiated thermal expansions between the sheet and its support.
In the structural surfaces, i.e. when the frame is hidden inside, a rigid sealing of a sheet of glass must in fact be excluded due to the lack of the necessary expansion between the sheet of glass and metal structure. Furthermore the fixing of the glass bead to the external sheet of glass, which must be the first operation to be carried out, brings considerable difficulties both in the carrying out and in the subsequent handling of the sheet. This solution is not therefore suitable for use in structural glass surfaces.
Therefore the aim of this invention is to provide a safe, simple and economic means of fastening of glass to metal structures.
The aforementioned aim has been achieved by mechanically fixing to the metal structure at least one strip of glass or the like (for example by using staples or other means of attachment) which faces outwards, positioning a sheet of double or single glazed glass so that at least a localized zone of it is facing, but at a distance from said strip of glass or the like, then inserting an elastic means between said facing surfaces, for example a silicon seal of the type already used in the manufacture of insulating double-glazed glass.
Preferably at least two parallel strips are provided for each sheet of glass, preferably four strips, applied along all the periphery of the sheet.
Preferably, the metal structure comprises a jutting horizontal ledge that acts as a support for the vertical forces acting on the sheet of glass.
The fixing of the strip of glass to the metal structure has to be such that it allows differentiated expansion and contraction due to mechanical stresses or temperature variations.
This invention foresees the insertion not only of a strip of glass, but also of any compound based on silica, fibreglass, ceramic, vitrified varnish etc. which has physical and/or chemical characteristics which are similar to those of glass. For this reason the strip has been described as made of "glass or the like".
The means capable of accomplishing the coupling of the metal structure to the strip of glass can be a series of staples made fast to the metal structure (for example, by means of lamination, soldering, or screw bolting).
Said means can also be simply made up of a lower
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Azzimonti Paolino S.P.A.
Scherbel David A.
Van Patten Michele A.
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