Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COMPLEX OF STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS FOR FORMING GLASS BRICK
WALLS
The present invention relates to a complex of structural elements for
forming glass brick walls.
PVC frames for glass brick walls are known consisting of a perimetral
structure supporting a plurality of horizontal stringers connected together
vertically
by upright pieces which engage therein by snap-fitting or insertion, to form a
lattice
which embraces the four edges of each glass brick inserted into it and
provides
formworks in which cement mix is cast.
These known frames present however certain drawbacks and in particular:
- an unpleasant outer appearance due to the presence of the PVC stringers and
upright pierces which remain visible covering the spacings,
- the impossibility of modifying or relocating the structure once assembled
and
the cement has been added,
- limited use because of its weight.
An object of the invention is to eliminate these drawbacks by providing a
complex of structural elements for forming glass brick walls which, besides
solving
the appearance problem, presents reliable immobility characteristics even in
walls
of large dimensions.
Another object of the invention is to provide a complex of structural
elements which can be demounted and remounted if required.
These and other objects which will be apparent from the ensuing
description are attained according to the invention by a complex of structural
elements for forming glass brick walls as described in claim 1.
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A preferred embodiment of the present invention together with some
modifications thereto are described in detail hereinafter by way of non-
limiting
example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded interrupted perspective view of a complex of
structural
elements according to the invention assembled with glass bricks,
particularly for interiors,
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the perimetral profile bar,
Figure 3 is a perspective view of an aluminium profile bar forming the
horizontal
stringer,
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a vertical connecting divider,
Figure 5 shows in the same view as Figure 1 a complex of elements in the form
using dividers with a plastic core,
Figure 6 shows the intermediate divider,
Figure 7 shows the end divider,
Figure 0 is a front view of the system for connecting the stringers to the
vertical
profile bars, with the top free and the bottom locked,
Figure 9 is a perspective view showing an expansion joint for large-width
walls
(greater than .6 metres),
Figure 10 is a perspective view showing an accessory for fixing and bracing
against the thrust of the wind,
Figure 11 shows the complex in the same view as Figure 1, in the form for
constructing outside walls, and
Figure 12 shows the aluminium profile bar forming the stringers and dividers
of
this complex.
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As can be seen from the figures, the complex of structural elements
according to the invention comprises substantially a perimetral C-shaped
aluminium profile bar 2, a plurality of intermediate horizontal stringers 4
formed
from aluminium profile bars and a plurality of vertical dividers 6 also of
aluminium.
The perimetral profile bar 2 is provided, on each inner surface of the side
walls 8, with two pairs of ribs 10, each rib comprising on that surface facing
the
other rib an engagement tooth 12.
The horizontal stringer comprises a central web .14 which is provided at its
ends with cylindrical portions 16 and from which two substantially T-shaped
flanges 18 extend. The central web is provided at regular intervals with
through
holes 20.
The divider 6 is substantially equal in form to the horizontal stringer but
without the holes 20.
The complex also comprises a coupling element 22 consisting of a
substantially rectangular element consisting of a substantially rectangular
element
which has its minor sides 24 faceted and comprises two slotted holes 26 of
curved
extension. The sides 24 consist of a flat portion 28 and a curved portion 30,
the
distance between the flat portions being substantially equal to the distance
between the facing cavities formed by the ribs 10 of the profile bar 2.
To form a glass brick wall, the complex of structural elements of the
invention is assembled in the following manner.
Firstly the retaining half-frame is formed by resting a C-shaped perimetral
profile bar 2 on the ground and preferably fixing it with screws or pins, then
placing
C-shaped perimetral elements 2 vertically against the sides thereof. If
lateral
retaining walls for the frame are available, the two perimetral profile bars
are fixed
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to these by screws or pins, alternatively if these walls are not available
fihe vertical
profile bars are fixed to the floor and ceiling.
The first row of glass bricks 32 is rested on the upper ribs 10~ of the
horizontal C-shaped profile bar, with each brick separated from the adjacent
brick
by interposing a divider 6.
The coupling elements 22 are then applied to the ends of the horizontal
stringer 4 by screws which pass through the slotted holes 26, to engage in the
cylindrical cavities 16 in the stringers. The stringer 4 is then applied to
the vertical
C-shaped profile bars 2 while maintaining its web inclined to the horizontal
such
as to insert the curved edges 30 of the coupling elements 22 between the ribs
10
of the C-shaped profile bar 2.
The stringer 4 is then rotated so that its central web 14 lies horizontally.
This configuration is maintained stable by forcibly rotating the element 22 so
that
its flat portions 28 engage between the ribs 20 of the C-shaped profile bar 2.
When the stringer has been applied, pins 34 are inserted through its holes 20
to
engage the cylindrical cavities 16 of the underlying dividers 6.
The second row of glass bricks is then applied to the stringer in the
aforesaid manner.
When the required height has been reached, a further profile bar 2 is
applied with its cavity facing downwards, to form the upper closure element of
the
frame.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, a complex of structural
elements mainly for external walls is shown.
In this embodiment the stringers and dividers have only one T-shaped
appendix, namely that facing inwards. In this embodiment the stringer also
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comprises a longitudinal groove 64 housing a rubber gasket which also performs
the function of retaining the glass brick.
!n the case of large-dimension walls the invention also uses a bar 36 of
substantially rectangular cross-section provided in one of its minor sides
with
slotted holes 38 terminating with an eyelet 40 through which threaded pins 42
are
inserted to axially engage said holes by means of nuts 44, and are locked with
their ends in holes provided in the edges of the horizontal stringer 4.
By virtue of the slotted holes 38, the structure can undergo small
movements, so making it independent of the main structure of the building.
In the~~~case of large-width walls, for which stringers longer than six metres
have to be used, the invention also uses a further H-shaped profile bar 46,
the
flanges of which embrace two back-to-back C-shaped profile bars 2, and which
is
also provided with two U appendices 48 which when assembled form a seat 50 for
the insertion of a head 52 provided at the end of a pin 54 engagable in the
aforedescribed profile bar 36. This form of assembly also constitutes an
expansion joint for absorbing temperature swings.
In the embodiment shown in Figures from 5 to 7, the divider consists of
ladder-shaped plastic spacers provided at their ends with coupling elements
58,
which engage in the horizontal perimetral profile bars. The spacers present
vertical portions 60 suitably shaped to snap-engage in a continuous aluminium
profile bar 62 which hence provides continuity and a pleasant outer
appearance.
From the aforestated it is apparent thafi the complex of structural elements
according to the invention presents numerous advantages, and in particular:
- it presents a pleasant outer appearance because of the presence of the
aluminium profile bars,
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- it presents reliable immobility characteristics because of the presence of
the
bracing elements,
- it can be easily and comfortably demounted and remounted because of the
elimination of cementitious assembly material.
fn a further embodiment not shown in the drawings each divider and/or
each stringer are made of wood -and are provided at their ends with two seats
for
the snap engagement of an aluminium T-shaped appendix.
