Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Multiroom or level – Curtain-wall; i.e. – panel attached outside floor or beam
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-18
2002-07-02
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Multiroom or level
Curtain-wall; i.e., panel attached outside floor or beam
C052S052000, C052S764000, C052S506050, C439S006000, C403S388000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06412242
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a fastening device for fastening a glass panel to a wall, a building-side substructure or similar object using a clamp fitting that grips the glass panel and a holder that is supported on the clamp fitting so that it can swivel to a limited extent in three dimensions.
2. Background of the Invention
On fastening devices of the type described above, it is necessary on one hand to realize the clamp fitting or punctiform holder that grips the glass panel itself so that the stresses that are introduced into the glass panel can be neutralized to the greatest extent possible in the vicinity of the clamp fitting itself. On the other hand, it is also necessary to realize the holder that is adjacent to the clamp fitting so that a stress-free connection of the clamp fitting and thus of the glass panel to a building-side substructure, a wall or another glass panel is possible. In particular, for a connection to a substructure or wall, it should thereby be possible to compensate for rather large construction tolerances in the form of an appropriate adaptation capability of the holder.
As disclosed in an older application by the same applicant (German Laid Open Patent Application No. 199 15 193.8 and corresponding U.S. application Ser. No. 09/498,385) that is not yet part of the prior art, the holder is supported in the clamp fitting so that it can move to a limited extent in three dimensions, whereby a cap bell is supported with adjustable bias on the inside clamp element, and between the cap bell and the inside clamp element there is a permanently elastic spring element that permits a relative movement of the cap bell with respect to the clamp element.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to realize the fastening device so that the stress-free gripping of the glass panel by the associated mounting makes it possible to adjust to rather large construction tolerances of a wall, a substructure or similar object.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention teaches that the object described above can be accomplished by a fastening device for a glass panel on a wall, a building-side substructure or similar object using a clamp fitting that grips the glass panel and a holder that is supported on the clamp fitting so that it can move to a limited extent in three dimensions, characterized by the fact that the holder has a retaining pivot that can be fixed in position on the clamp fitting, whereby on the outer free end of the retaining pivot there is a connecting articulation that can be fixed in position for the connection of a compensating shaft, which on its end farther from the retaining pivot is connected by means of an articulation that can be fixed in position with an adapter for fastening to a wall, a substructure, or similar object.
In other words, the fastening device may comprise a clamp fitting or fitting that can attach to glass, an adapter that can attach to a structure, and a holder that can connect the fitting to the adapter. Between the fitting and the holder and the adapter and the holder, there may be respective articulations that can be fixed into position to compensate for construction tolerances and stress in a glass panel mounted on a structure, such as a building facade.
One possible way that the fitting may be attached to a glass panel is with a bolt. The glass panel can have a hole through which a bolt can be inserted. The fitting can have two end portions, a first end being configured to be attached to the holder and a second end being configured to be attached to a glass panel. After being inserted through a hole in the glass panel, the bolt can be inserted into the second end of the fitting, thereby connecting the fitting to a glass panel. A spacer with a hole for the reception of a bolt can also be placed between the fitting and the glass panel to protect the glass from being damaged by the fitting. If the glass panel comprises two glass panes, a spacer may also be placed between the two panes to protect the glass from being damaged by the bolt.
One possible way that the adapter may be attached to a structure is with a fastening screw or bolt. The adapter has two end portions, a first end configured to be attached to a structure and a second end configured to be attached to the holder. A screw or fastening bolt may be inserted into a hole in the first end of the adapter and then through a hole in the structure to attach the adapter to a structure, such as a facade on a building.
According to the above teaching, the holder has a retaining pivot that can be fastened to a clamp fitting. On the outer free end of the retaining pivot there is a connecting joint that can be fixed in position for the connection of a compensating shaft. On its end that is farther from the connecting bridge, the compensating shaft is connected, by means of a respective joint that can be fixed in position with an adapter for fastening to a wall, a substructure or similar object.
To further explain, the compensating shaft or holder has two end portions, a first end configured to be attached to the adapter and a second end configured to be attached to the fitting. The second end of the holder can be attached to the first end of the fitting to permit limited or even complete rotation or movement of the holder in at least two dimensions with respect to the fitting.
The invention therefore teaches that two articulations, joints, or hinges are located between the glass panel and the substructure so that, during installation, a correct adaptation of the adapter that forms the connection to the substructure or wall is guaranteed or essentially guaranteed. After the two articulations have been fixed in position—apart from the limited three-dimensional movement that is still possible in the vicinity of the clamp fitting—the result is a rigid or essentially rigid fastening unit.
In other words, two articulations form connections between the adapter and the holder and the holder and the fitting respectively. A first articulation can comprise the second end of the adapter and the first end of the holder while a second articulation can comprise the second end of the holder and the first end of the fitting.
Additional characteristics of the invention are described herein.
In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, pivot forks are located on the respective free ends of the retaining pivot and of the adapter. The pivot forks are connected with corresponding pivot brackets on the opposite free ends of the compensating shaft to form an articulation, joint, or hinge that can be fixed in position. It goes without saying that in a kinematic reversal, pivot forks can also be provided on the compensating shaft.
To further explain, one part of an articulation comprises a fork and another part of an articulation comprises a bracket or tongue. The tongue is configured to be disposed in the fork and the two parts can be connected by a screw. The articulations permit a pivotal movement, or movement of the parts of the fastening device in two dimensions. In other words, the articulation points permit back and forth swinging movement of the holder with respect to the corresponding adapter or fitting.
In at least one possible embodiment of the present invention, a first articulation can comprise a second end portion of the adapter comprising a fork and a first end portion of the holder comprising a tongue and a second articulation can comprise a second end of the holder comprising a tongue and a first end of the fitting comprising a fork.
In another possible configuration of the invention, the first articulation can comprise a second end of the adapter comprising a tongue and a first end portion of the holder comprising a fork and the second articulation can comprise a second end of holder comprising a fork and a first end of the fitting comprising a tongue.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the first articulation may comprise a second end of the adapter comprising a tongue and a first end portion of the holder comprisin
Dorma GmbH + Co. KG
Friedman Carl D.
Katcheves Basil
Nils H. Ljungman & Associates
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