SUPPORTING FRAMEWORK FOR A FACADE

CADRE D'ETAYAGE POUR FACADE

English Abstract

The invention relates to a supporting framework for a façade (1), which is
constructed from adjacently arranged flat façade elements such as glass panes,
decorative panels or the like, and which comprises profiled supports (3). The
profiled supports (3) are formed from retaining bars (5), which are parallel
to the façade surface, and from webs (4), which are approximately
perpendicular to the façade surface. The retaining bars (5) and the webs (4)
are essentially flat material strips. At least one web (4) has a projection
(15), which is provided as a single piece with the web (4) and which projects
into an insertion opening (10) in a retaining bar (5). A retaining device (18)
is provided on the projection (15) for fixing the façade element and has at
least one pin-shaped or bolt-shaped part (36). This part (36) is arranged in
such a manner that it is secured on the projection (15) of the web (4) by the
retaining bar (5).

French Abstract

L'invention concerne un cadre d'étayage pour une façade (1) formée d'éléments de façade plans, disposés les uns à côté des autres, comme des plaques de verre, des panneaux décoratifs ou similaires, qui comprend des supports profilés (3). Lesdits supports profilés (3) se composent de traverses de retenue (5), disposées parallèlement à la surface de la façade et d'entretoises (4), situées debout, approximativement perpendiculairement sur la surface de la façade. Les traverses de retenue (5) et les entretoises (5) sont sensiblement des bandes de matériau planes. Au moins une entretoise (4) présente une partie saillante (15), formée d'un seul tenant avec ladite entretoise (4) et qui fait saillie dans une ouverture d'emboîtement (10) dans une traverse de retenue (5). Il est prévu sur la partie saillante (15), un dispositif de retenue (18) pour fixer l'élément de façade, qui comprend au moins un élément (36) sous forme de goupille ou de tourillon. Ledit élément (36) est disposé de sorte à être fixé par la traverse de retenue (5) sur la partie saillante (15) de l'entretoise (4).

Claims

9
CLAIMS
1. A supporting framework for a facade 1 formed from flat
facade elements such as glass panes, decorative sheets
or the like that are arranged adjacent to each other,
with sectional supports (3) which comprise retaining
bolts (5) arranged parallel with the facade surface
and struts (4) perpendicular to the facade surface,
wherein the retaining bolts (5) and the struts (4) are
essentially flat strips of material, and wherein at
least one of the struts (4) have a projection (15)
which is designed integral with the strut (4), and
which projects into a plug-in opening (10) in one of
the retaining bolts (5),
Characterised in that a retaining device (18) is
provided on the projection (15) for fixing the facade
element, which device comprises at least one pin- or
bolt-shaped component (36) and this component (36) is
arranged so that the component (36) is secured by the
retaining bolt (5) to the projection (15) of the strut
(4) .
2. The supporting framework according to Claim 1,
characterised in that the projection (15) has a
retaining groove (16, 24, 35, 36) and is provided with
a head. (12, 21, 22, 23) which is arranged in the
retaining groove (16, 24, 25, 26).
3. The supporting framework according to Claim 2,
characterised in that the retaining groove t16, 24,
25, 26) formed in the projection (15) runs in the
plane of the retaining bolt (5).
4. The supporting framework according to Claim 3,
characterised in that the height (h) of the projection
(15) is smaller than the thickness (d) of the
retaining bolt (5).

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5. The supporting framework according to one of Claims 1
to 4, characterised in that the cross-section of the
projection (15) is roughly equivalent to the cross-
section of the plug-in opening (10).
6. The supporting framework according to one of Claims 2
to 5 , characterised in that the retaining groove (16,
24, 25, 26) runs transversely to the plane defined by
the strut (4).
7. The supporting framework according to one of Claims 2
to 6, characterised in that a slot (45) is formed in
the projection (15), through which slot projects the
component (36).
8. The supporting framework according to one of Claims 2
to 7, characterised in that the retaining groove (16)
has a cross-sectional shape which corresponds
essentially to an isosceles triangle and the head (12)
of the component (6, 36) is conical.
9. The supporting framework according to one of Claims 2
to 7, characterised in that the cross-sectional shape
of the retaining groove (24) is semicircular, and the
head (21) of the component (6, 36) is hemispherical.
10. The supporting framework according to one of Claims 2
to 7, characterised in that the cross-sectional shape
of the retaining groove (25, 26) is essentially
rectangular, and the head (22, 23) of the component
(6, 36) is cylindrical.
11. The supporting structure according to Claims 1 to 10,
characterised in that the retaining device (18) is
displaceable to a limited degree on the projection
(165) and/or can be swivelled to a limited degree.

-11-
12. The supporting structure according to Claims 1 to 10,
characterised in that the projection (15) is fixed in
the plug-in opening (10, for example by welding or
gluing.

Description

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wo 2oa~~o~5~01
9UPPORTTNG FRAMEWORK FQR A FA~11DE
The invention relates to a supporting framework for a
facade of the type indicated in the preamble to Claim i,
formed from flat facade elements, such as glass panes,
decorative plates, insulating panels or the like, arranged
adjacent to each other.
DE 298 58 497 C2 discloses a supporting framework for a
facade consisting of sectional supports on which the facade
elemez~ts are secured. Fixing screws may be provided for
fixing the facade elements to the sectional supports, these
fixing screws be~.ng in this case screwed into the sectional
supports.
The object of the invention is to provide a supporting
framework of the type mentioned which allows simpler
handling for fi~cing the facade elements .
'this object is achieved by a supporting frameworlt with the
characteristics of Claim 1.
The xetainix~g device is supported on the projection,
preferably in a retazzz~.ng groQVe formed in the projection,
into which groove a head of a pixi- or boJ.t~shaped
structural element is inserted. The retaining device is
positively secured wit~aout additional measures by inserting
the projection into the plug-in opening. Depending on the
design of the retaining groove and the head, tolerances may
be equalised so that optimum fixing of the faga.de elements
on the sectional support is possible. The cannectzax~. of the
retaining device to the projection guarantees that no
additional fastening elements that could im~aair the optical
impression are visible in the sectional support. The
connection of the fastening device in the projection also
enables the retaining bolt to be fixed to the strut to give

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the sectional support with high strength without requiring
additional fastexxing means.
~n the lozzgitudznal direction of the retaining groove the
head is displaceable in the groove so that equalisation of
tolerances ~.s easily possible in the plane of the retaining
bolt of the sectional support. However, the head may also
be capable of sw~.velling slightly ~.~n the retaining groove
so that tilting tolerances can also be equalised. The
retaining groove and the head may be of a simple design so
that they can be easily manufactured. The retaining device
is easily fitted on the projection since the head need only
be inserted in the retaina.xxg groove . 'fhe reta~.n.zxxg groove
is wuitably formEd in the projection and runs in the plane
of the retaining bolt. The retaining groove can be produced
in one operation with the strut. The projection with the
retaining groove formed in it is in this case suitably
produced together with the strut with a circumferential
cutting edge, e.g. by laser' cutting. Because the groove
runs in the plane of the retaining bolt, it is bounded
laterally by the walls of the plug-in opening. During
assembly the head is inserted in the retaining .groove
before the strut ax~,d retazxa.~.z~g bolt axe jv~.r~ed together.
After the strut and retaining bolt are joined together the
retaining groove is sealed on its front sides from the
walls of the plug-in opening so that the reta~.n~.xxg device
is retained on the sectional support. When the retaining
device is clamped, the head is pressed against the
longitudinal struts of th.e retaiz~~.ng groove and therefore
positively Fixed in it. The height of the projection is
suitably smaller than the thickness of the retaining bolt,
so that the projection dve~ not project onto the side of
the retaining bolt facing away f rorn the strut and is not
therefore visible from the outside.
'fhe cross-sections of the retaining grooves and the shape
of the heads of the structural elements may be designed

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-
differently, and in this case standardised pins or bolts,
which are available as mass products and are therefore
inexpensive, may also be used.
zt may be appropriate for the projection. tc~ be fixed in the
p~,ug-in opening, particul.ax-7.y lay welding or gluing. This
enables the sectional suppart~s to be eas~.~.y pre-assembled
and Fixed on th;e constxuctian site. 'this results in simple
assembly. To achieve positive fixing of the retaining bolt
on the strut in the p7.ane Qf the fixing bolt, provis~.on is
made for the crass-section of the projection to correspond
roughly to the cross-section of the plug-in openzng.
Embodiments of the invention are expla~.z~ed in the following
with refe~:exxce to the drawing, in which:
Fig. ~ shows a diagrammatic sectional representation
through.
a facade,
Fig. ~ shows the detail of a sectional support and of
the
threaded pin o~ a fastening device in side view,
Fig. 3 shows a section through a sectional support with
a
Fastening device wh~.ch incorporates the threaded
pin from Fig. 2,
F'ig. 4 shows a section along line zV-ZV in Fig. 3,
Figs.
to '~ show side views o~ thread pins o~ fastening
devices
with the associated retaining grooves.

CA 02539406 2006-03-15
Facade 1 shown in fiig. 1 in a diagrammatical sectional
representation consists of glass panes 2, which are secured
to s. supporting framework. The supporting framework
consists of sectional supports 3, which run in the
longitudinal direction of facade 1 and axe shown cut in
Fig. 1. The cut sectional supports 3 shaven are connected to
each other b~~ sectional supports 3 arranged perpendicularly
to them. Sectional supports 3 are constructed ~rorn struts 4
which stand vertically on the plane of facade 1 and on
which stand xetainzz~g belts 5 which run parallel. with the
facade plane. Glass panes 2 are secured to retaining bolts
5. Sectipnal. supports 3 are designed T-shaped in the
~:mbodiment, but other sectional. shapes may be formed Pram
struts ~ and retaining bolts 5. Glass panes 5 form a double
g7.azed pane, with a seal 13 arranged in the region of
sectional supports 3 between. both glass panes 2.
Glass panes 2 facing retaining bolt 5 rest on retaining
bolts 5 with their longitudinal sides, with the insertion
of an insulation 11. Glass panes 2 are retained on
sectional support 3 by means of retaining dev~.ces 18, which
comprise at 7.east one pin- or bolt~shaped component 36 and
are designed as threaded pins 5 in the specific embodiment.
Each threaded pin 6 is secured to sect~.onal support 3 and
presses by means of a nut screwed onto threaded pin 6
against a Clamping washer 8, which clamps the longitudinal
sides of outer glass panes 2 against front sides 7 of
retaining strips 5 by means of sealing strips 1~. To
achieve an attractive optical appearance a decorative strip
can be arranged in the region .of sectional. supports 3 an
the outwardly directed side of facade 1, which stx,zp fully
covers the region of sealing strips 7.4 and the intervening
region of threaded pins 6. A~n insulation can be provided
between glass panes 2 and front sides ~ of retaining strips
5.

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c~
Rs shown in the front view in Fig. 2, strut 5 is provided
with through plug-in opening l0, with a rectangular, square
cross-section. Plug-in opening ~.0 extends vertically to the
flat aide 32 and opposing fxoz~t side ~ of retaining bolt S.
Height c of plug-in opening 10, measured perpendicularly to
the plane of strut g, roughly corresponds to thickness a of
strut 4 shown in Fig. 4. As ~'ig. 2 shows, strut 4 is
provided with a projection 15, which extends in the plane
of strut 4 beyond the longitudinal sidE 31 of strut 4_
L~rojectiaza. 25 has a width b measured in the longitudinal
direction of strut 4 which is roughly equal to width a of
plug-in opening 10. Projection 15 therefore has a
rectangular, in particular square cross-section which
corresponds to the cross-section of plug-in opening Zo.
Projection 7.5 can then be inserted in plug-in opening Z0,
which results in a positive fixing of retaining bolt 5 on
strut 4 in the plane of retaining bolt 5.
projection Z5 has a height h wh.~.ch is smaller than
thickness d of retaining bolt 5 shown in Fig. 3, so that
projection 15 does not project from retaining bolt 5 but is
arranged fully in plug-in opening 1b. 1~s Fig. 2 shows,
projection z5 is provided with a retaizlzn,g groove 3.6 whose
cross-section foams essentially an isosceles triangle.
Detaining groove 16 has a slot 45 which opens xetazning
groove on the side of projection 15 facing away from strut
4. Ur~dercuts 1'7 axe farmed on both sides of slot 45 because
the width of slot 45 is smaller than the maximum groove
width.
zn order to Necure glass panes 2 to sectional support 3, a
fastening device is provided which comprises threaded pin 6
shown in Fig. 2, 'll~.readed pin 6 is rotationally symmetrical
and has a conical head 12 which can be inserted in
retaining groove 16 and which is fixed to undercuts 1'7 in
its longitudinal direction, i.e. approximately
perpendicular to the p7.az~,e of retaining bolt 5. Threaded

CA 02539406 2006-03-15
_ 6 _
pin ~ can. be displaced in retaining groove 1G in a
predetermined region in the ~.ongitudinal direction of
retaining groove 16. Projection 15 is formed integral with
strut 4. Strut .~ and retaining bolt 5 are cut out from flat
strips of material, particularly of sheets. Strut 4 is here
provided with a circumfex~ential cutting edge so that it can
be cut out from a sheet by laser cutting, for example.
Retaining groove 1~ is in th~.s case cut out with projection
15 and stxwt 4 in one operation.
Fig. 3 shows sectional support 3 with glass panes 2
arranged on it, in a section in the longitudinal direction
of sectional support 3. Glass panes 2 axe secured to
sectional support3 by means of a retaining device 18, which
support also comprises threaded pin 6. Projection 15 of
strut 5 projects into plug-in opening 7.o in reta~.ning bolt
s. Head 22 of threaded pin 6 is arranged in retaining
groove 16 of projection 15. As the cross-section in Fig. 4
shows, retaining groove 15 is bounded on its front sides by
lateral walls 49 of plug-in opening 10, so that threaded
pin 6 can be displaced in the region between both lateral
walls 49 of plug~i.n opening 10 in retaining groove 16.
1hs sown in Figs . 3 and 4 , a threaded s leeve 19 , which has
az1 outer hexagon and which acts on a shim 50 on the outside
of retaining bolt 5, is screwed onto threaded pin 6.
Threaded pi.z~ 6 can easily be clamped in retaining groove
16. To fix glass panes 2, clamping washer 8 is provided
which presses by means of sealing straps ~.~k onto the
longitudinal sides of outer glass panes 2, and clamps glass
paneN 2 with the intervening seal 13 against retaining bolt
5. Washer 8 is fixed by means of a nut 20 onto threaded pin
6. S~.x~ce head 12 is rotationally symmetrical, it may be
swivelled in a certain region in groove 16. both, tolexaz~ces
in the long~.tudinal direction of retaining groove 16 and
atzgZe tolerances in a certain region can then be equalised
by means of fastening device 18. However, head 12 may also

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- 7 ..
have lateral walls standing perpendicular to reta~.ning
groove 26 and assume the shape of a prism. Threaded pin 6
is therefore retained in retaining groove y6 so it does not
twist.
F~.gs. 3 and ~ show threaded pin 6 as a pin projecting
outside throughout the length. ~ suitable length consists
in the fact that the thxeaded pin only extends as far as
the centre of threaded sleeve 19 and a screw is screwed
from the outside into threaded sleeve 19.
Figs. 5 to ~ shows embodiments far retaining grooves axed
heads axxanged iz~ them. ~'zg. 5 shows a threaded pin 6 with
a hemispherical head 21, which can be arranged in a
retaining groove 24 of projection 15, which groove is
semicircular in cross-sect~.on. Head z7. may also have the
shape of a half-cylinder in order to prevent component 36,
designed as threaded pin 6, from twisting.
Head 22, shown in Fig. 6, is of an essent~.ally cylindrical
design. It can be arranged in a retaining groove 25 in.
projection 15, which groove has an essentially .rectangular
cross-section. Groove 25 has a depth 6, which ~,s smaller
than height h of projection 15. Groove base 47 is therefore
arranged fully in plug-in opening 10, so chat when
sectional suppoxt 3 is assembled, i.e. with retaining bolt
resting on longitudinal side 31, groove 25 is not
visible. Groove 25 is bounded laterally by two retaining
struts 27 on the side fac~.ng away from strut 4. The
outwardly directed upper side of retaining struts 27 is of
a rounded design. Head 22 may also be of Cubaid design.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, head 23 is of
cylix~drical design and pxojects into a xetaini.x~g gxoove 26,
whose groovE basE 30 is of concave design. Both retaining
struts bounding groove 26, which form the undercut On which

CA 02539406 2006-03-15
head 23 is retained in retaining groove z&, axe rounded on
their outwardly directed side. Head 23 may also be cuboid.

Representative Drawing