Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02471213 2008-04-21
PREFABRICATED WALL STRUCTURE SYSTEM
Background Of The Invention
1. This invention is directed to a prefabricated building system
employing roof-supporting extruded metal sections, having
provision for the installation of panels of glass, Lexan (T.M.),
acrylic, metal and composite materials, for a variety of
structures, including transit shelters, smoking shelters,
railside shelters, wall panel systems, wind-breaks and the like.
2.Widespread use is currently made of prefabricated= shelters
incorporating roof-support elements generally similar to those of
the present invention. However, many of these prior art systems
have a number of defects which detract significantly from their
appearance and over-all benefit.
Some of the aforesaid defects include:
Post and panel constructions utilizing a three-member mounting
arrangement by which glazing and other panels are assembled to
the structure. The erection of such three-member assemblies is
labour intensive, thus increasing their ultimate cost;
The prior art square, hollow structural posts generally have
protruding channels, known as 'receivers' extending along all
four sides of the extruded post section, for mounting what is
termed in the industry as the 'glazing body' extrusion, using a
variety of self tapping screw type fasteners. Since these
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fasteners are applied subsequently to the painting of the
extrusions, their use causes interruptions and breaches in the
painted surfaces. Aluminum is well known for its rapid
oxidization properties, and these breaches permit oxidization to
initiate, take hold and begin to creep under the painted
surfaces, thus destroying the adhesion between the aluminum base
material and the paint itself, adversely affecting the appearance
of the structure.
A third component, known as a'glazing snap', is then
clipped into place, to retain the glass or other panel, which
panels per se do not form a part of the present invention.
In many instances these prior art extruded components have
sharp corners and edges that are generally at least square or
more acutely angled in section, and when electrostatically
painted, are susceptible to the Faraday Effect, which causes the
corners to receive only a very thin layer of paint protection,
which over time, can also lead to paint failure.
A further disadvantage of the known prior art post sections
is that the sides of the posts that are not used to secure panels
are left with exposed glazing body receivers. These open
section, exposed receivers enable dust, dirt, gum, insects, mold
and other debris to collect in them, thus making the posts very
unsanitary and unsightly. These receivers are very difficult to
access and clean, and the general public is constantly exposed to
these surfaces.
As described above, these prior art receivers are very
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difficult to paint, even with the use of electrostatic painting
equipment. Without a full and proper application of paint, these
surfaces are susceptible to oxidization, which may ultimately
lead to a paint failure.
Brief Summary Of The Invention
The present invention provides a prefabricated wall structure,
for use in supporting a roof, and having hollow, extruded post
sections, each with at least one substantially smooth face, at
least one adjoining face having a glazing receiver section
projecting therefrom and extending along substantially the length
of the post, to receive a glazing panel in inserted relation
therein;
at least one glazing snap member to secure the glazing panel to
the glazing receiver, and snap-retention rib projections
extending parallel with the glazing receiver section, to receive
the glazing snap in removable secured relation therewith.
Thus, there is provided a two-element panel mounting, having
a glazing receiver section into which an edge of a glazing panel
may be entered, and adjacent, inclined snap retention ribs; and a
glazing snap, for attachment to the ribs, in securing relation
with the glazing panel.
There are provided three types of posts, namely a corner post
door post and a mid-post.
The corner posts have two adjoining smooth sides and two opposed
sides each having a glazing receiver section, and snap retention
ribs.
The mid-posts each have two opposed smooth sides and two
sides each with a glazing receiver section, and snap retention
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ribs.
The door post has a glazing receiver section, in opposed
relation to its flat end face. The inner and outer faces of the
post are outwardly convexly curved.
The smooth sides of the respective posts may be curved, and
all their corners radiused. Also, the external corners of the
glazing receiver sections may be radiused, as is also the glazing
snap.
The glazing receiver sections and the opposed glazing snap
each include profiled recesses to receive an extruded rubber seal
in inserted, anchored relation therein. The glazing snap is sized
so as to apply, when assembled, a compressive force of the seal
to the face of the panel in the order of four to s.i_x pounds per
linear inch.
In the case of a shelter, such as a bus shelter that is
erected against a backing wall of an existing structure, the
respective posts (corner and mid-post) may be oriented such that
the glazing snaps are located within the shelter structure, thus
providing unrestricted access for installation and/or removal of
the glazing panels, and making replacement of the glazing panel
or panels a comparatively simple operation.
The present system includes mullion and wind-skirt members,
incorporating a glazing receiver section or sections
corresponding with the above described glazing receiver
provisions.
Brief Description of The Several Views Of The Drawings
Certain embodiments of the present invention are described by
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way of example, without limitation of the invention thereto other
than as set forth in the present claims, reference being made to
the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a plan view in cross section of a portion of
wall of a building structure in accordance with the present
invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of portions of Fi.gure 1,
showing a corner post and a mid-post;
Figure 3 is a plan view in cross section of a glazing snap
and a cross section of the extruded rubber seal;
Figure 4 is a plan view in cross section of a wind skirt for
the subject structure;
Figure 5 is a plan view in cross section of a mullion cross
member complete with installed glazing snaps for the subject
structure;
Figure 6 is a plan view in cross section of a door-post
complete with glazing snap and rubber seal for the subject
structure.
Detailed Description Of The Invention
Referring to Figure 1, this shows in cross section a back and
side wall portion 10 of a shelter, having two corner posts 12,12,
an intermediate or mid-post 14, and an optional door post 15.
It will be understood that the left or right 'handing' of the
components, such as a corner post 12 is achieved merely by
inverting the post, in order to reverse it handing.
Portions of four panels, 16, 16 are illustrated, for purposes of
clarity.
Seven glazing snaps 18, 18 are shown, with directional arrows to
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indicate their location of installation. It will be understood
that in assembly with a mullion cross member and a wind-skirt,
the four edges, comprising the top, bottom and side edges of each
panel 16 will be secured by the installation of a glazing snap
18.
Referring to Figure 2, the corner post 12 has two glazing
receiver sections 20, located on adjacent faces 22, 24, which
faces are substantially flat.
Each glazing receiver section 20, which is extruded integrally
with the posts 12 and 14, consists of a protruding extruded rib
having a seal housing 29 located at its outer end, for insertion
of a rubber or plastic sealing strip 23. The receiver section 20
includes mutually inclined retaining ribs 30, 32 by which a
glazing snap 18 is engaged. A pair of locating ribs located
adjacent the surface of the post (12, 14) serve to centre a
glazing panel 16 when it is installed, prior to the application
of a snap 18 in sealing relation with the glazing panel 16.
The intermediate post 14 has a pair of glazing receiver
sections 20, in mutually opposed relation on its side faces. The
inner and outer faces of the post 14 are outwardly, convexly
curved.
Referring to Figure 3, a glazing snap 18 has a base portion
38, having a seal housing 29 facing outwardly, and surmounted by
a wall 40 which terminates in an inclined toe portion 42.
A second wall 44, extending substantially parallel with the wall
40 has a hooked heel portion 46.
In use, with a rubber or plastic sealing strip 23 secured in
the seal housing 29, the snap 18 is secured to its respective
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post, by inserting the toe portion 42 in engaged relation beneath
the retaining rib 30 and the hooked heel portion 46 in engaging
relation with retaining rib 32.
This installation will then automatically result in the rubber
sealing strip 23 pressing with predetermined sealing force
against the inserted glazing panel 16, adjacent its edge.
Referring to Figure 4, a wind-skirt 50 has a substantially
rectangular body, being illustrated with three ribs 52, along its
bottom surface, to make contact with the ground on which the
construction stands. The corners of the wind-skirt 50 are
radiused, and its two sides may be curved. The top face of the
wind-skirt 50 has a glazing receiver section 20, as described
above, to which the bottom edge of a glazing panel 16 may be
mounted, and secured thereto by means of a snap 18, in engaged
relation with the wind-skirt 50.
Referring to Figure 5, a mullion member 54 has an arrangement
and shape similar to an intermediate post 14, with a pair of
glazing receiver sections 20, in mutually opposed relation on its
top and bottom faces. The two side faces of the mullion member 54
may be outwardly convexly curved. The mullion 54 is used to
connect two adjacent glazing panel portions 16 along their
adjacent horizontal edges. A pair of glazing snaps 18 engage the
glazing panel portions 16, being mounted on the upper and lower
receiver sections 20 of the mullion 54.
Referring to Figure 6, the door post 15 has a glazing receiver
section 20, in opposed relation to its flat end face. The inner
and outer faces of the post 15 are outwardly convexly curved.
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