Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Multiroom or level – Curtain-wall; i.e. – panel attached outside floor or beam
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-18
2002-10-22
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Multiroom or level
Curtain-wall; i.e., panel attached outside floor or beam
C403S083000, C403S084000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06467227
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND 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. An older application by the same applicant (German Laid Open Patent Application No. 199 15 193.8 and corresponding U.S. application Ser. No. 09/498385) that is not yet part of the prior art relates to a clamp fitting, on the inside clamp element of which, a cap bell is supported with an adjustable bias whereby, 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. In practical terms, the permanently elastic spring element forms a connection that permits limited articulation, or movement, in three dimensions between the clamp fitting and the holder that is attached to the clamp fitting on the building side. The permanently elastic spring element is thereby intended to compensate for stresses introduced into the glass panel, and can be realized in the form of an elastic pad, for example.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
On fastening devices of the type described above, it is desirable to realize the connection between the clamp fitting that grips the glass panel, a wall, a substructure, or an additional glass panel so that tolerances between the components to be connected can be compensated for without generating stresses. This requirement is particularly important for the connection of a glass panel with a wall or substructure. In this case, it can be necessary to connect the clamp fitting or punctiform holder that grips the glass panel by means of a holder with a wall, a substructure, or a similar object, which makes possible a multiple support of this holder on the wall or substructure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Beginning with a clamp fitting of the type described above, the invention teaches that the object described above can be accomplished by means of 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 two-arm connecting bridge that can be fixed in position by means of a center retaining pivot on the clamp fitting whereby, on the outer free ends of the connecting bridge, there are connecting articulations that can be fixed in position for the connection of respective compensating shafts, which are connected on their ends farther away from the connecting bridge by means of respective articulations that can be fixed in position with an adapter for fastening to a wall, a substructure, or similar object.
According to the above technical teaching, the holder has a two-armed connecting bridge that can be fastened to the clamp fitting by means of a center retaining pivot, and connecting joints that can be fixed in position are located on its outer free ends for the connection of respective compensating shafts which, on their ends that are farther from the connecting bridge, are connected by means of respective joints that can be fixed in position with an adapter for fastening to a wall, a substructure, or similar object.
The forces that are introduced into the clamp fitting that supports the glass plate by means of the connecting bridge described above are transmitted to two compensating shafts which, on their free ends, are fastened by means of corresponding adapters to, for example, a wall or any other desired component. Because articulations, joints, or hinges that can be fixed in position are located on the free ends of the two compensating shafts, on the one hand a correct connection of each of the two adapters that takes construction tolerances into consideration is possible, and on the other hand, as a result of the ability to fix the joints in position, it is possible to make the holder virtually completely rigid after installation.
To further explain, the fastening device may comprise a fitting that can attach to glass, two adapters that can attach to a structure or structures, and two holders (compensating shafts) that can connect the fitting to the adapters. Between the fitting and the holders and between the adapters and the holders, 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. The holders have two ends, a first end configured to be attached to a structure and a second end configured to be connected to the fitting. The fitting can also have two ends, a first end configured to be connected to the holders and a second end configured to be attached to a glass panel. The second end of the first holder and the second end of the second holder can be connected by a connecting bridge, which can be attached to the first end of the fitting to permit limited rotation or movement of the holders in at least two dimensions with respect to the fitting. One possible way that the connecting bridge can be attached to the clamp fitting is that the connecting bridge can have a hole into which the first end of the fitting can be inserted. The first end of the fitting can be externally threaded like a screw and the hole of the connecting bridge can be internally threaded. This is only one example of how the fitting can be attached to the connecting bridge. There are also other possible ways of attaching the fitting to the connecting bridge.
In at least one possible embodiment of the present invention, one way. that the retaining pivot or first end of the fitting can be permitted to rotate to a limited extent with respect to the second end of the fitting is that a coupling bell, or cap bell, can connect the first and second ends of the fitting to permit an adjustable bias. An elastic cushion can be placed between the second end of the fitting and the cap bell of the fitting to permit limited movement. The bottom portion of the coupling bell can have a cylindrical extension into which the first end portion of the fitting can fit. The elastic cushion can permit limited movement of the cap bell and the first end portion of the fitting with respect to the second end of the fitting. A nut, or cap nut, can then fit over the bottom of the cap bell. When the nut is tightened or adjusted, the connection between the first end portion of the fitting and the cap bell can be secured or tightened.
Another possible way that the first end portion of the fitting can be permitted to move to a limited extent in three dimensions is that the fitting may comprise a rotational part. The first end of the fitting and the coupling bell of the fitting may comprise corresponding grooves, slots, or indentations, into which the O-ring can fit to secure the connection of the two elements. Before the two elements (the retaining pivot and the coupling bell) are connected, the O-ring can be placed about a groove in the retaining pivot. Because the O-ring is split, it can be compressed into the groove such that the diameter of the compressed O-ring is less than or equal to the diameter of the exterior of the retaining pivot and less than the diameter of the interior of the coupling bell. The retaining pivot can then be inserted into the coupling bell until the compressed O-ring reaches a slot in the coupling bell. The O-ring can then be seated in both the slot and the groove to provide a retaining function to hold the retaining pivot in the coupling bell in a rotatable fashion.
Yet another possible way that the first end of the fitting can be permitted to move to a limited extent in three dimensions is that the fitting can comprise a coupling bell or cap bell which can connect the first end and second end of the fitting. The coupling bell can have a bottom portion facing away from the. second end of
DORMA GmbH + Co. KG
Friedman Carl D.
McDermott Kevin
Nils H. Ljungman & Associates
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