Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
PROFILE ELEMENT AND FACADE SYSTEM WITH SAID PROFILE ELEMENT
The invention relates to a profile element for attaching a
facade panel to a building wall or facade beam according to the
preamble of claim 1, a facade system and a construction kit with
the profile element for producing a facade by mounting facade
panels on a building wall or a facade beam. In particular, the
invention relates to facade systems for curtain-type, rear-
ventilated facades. The invention is preferably used in the case
of small or medium format facade panels, which are made in
particular from glass fiber concrete or fiber cement.
Such profile elements and facade systems are generally known.
However, these are complex and therefore expensive to
manufacture and use.
US Patent Application No. 2014/0325927A1 discloses a wall panel
consisting of a thin stone slab of 3 - 10 mm thickness, a
reinforcement plate attached to this stone slab and a frame
comprising this reinforcement plate. The reinforcement plate is
preferably the same size as the stone slab and is glued to it.
The frame consists of individual beams, which individually form
one side of the frame, and is attached to the reinforcement
plate. In the upper and lower beams of the frame recesses for
receiving hooks are provided. Using these hooks, the wall plate
is fastened to the facade. The wall panels must be fastened from
the bottom up. It is not possible to remove or install a wall
plate placed in the middle of the facade.
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It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
profile element for an alternative facade system that is
inexpensive to manufacture, flexible to use and yet easy to
mount or to dismount. In particular, it is a goal that
individual facade panels can be replaced on a finished facade
without having to dismantle adjacent panels. Another goal is to
provide a facade system that can be produced efficiently and has
only a few individual parts.
According to claim 1, the invention relates to a profile element
for arrangement on the back of a facade panel and fastening the
facade panel to a building wall or a facade beam by means of the
profile element. According to the invention, the profile element
is formed integrally and has a receiving section, a fastening
section and a mounting section, wherein the receiving section
forms a receiving space at its free end and the fastening
section is positioned with respect to the facade panel so that
the mounting section extends beyond the facade panel.
In this way, a facade system is created, wherein there is no
need for the profile element to cooperate with other elements of
the facade system in order to fulfill its carrying function.
Only the integrally formed profile element must be connected to
the facade panel and the facade element thereby created must be
fixed to the building in the area of the mounting section
extending beyond the facade panel. Due to their shape, the
profile elements have the advantage that each facade element can
be both installed and removed independently of the neighboring
facade elements.
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Advantageous embodiments of the profile element are described in
dependent claims 2 to 6. The advantageous variants of
embodiments described below, either alone or in combination with
each other, result in further improvements of the profile
element.
According to a first advantageous embodiment of the profile
element according to the invention, the receiving space is
essentially U-shaped and has a first leg of the U-shaped
receiving space, which lies in the same plane as the fastening
section resting on the back of the facade panel. This makes it
possible to place the profile element on the facade panel and
fasten it. The profile elements are preferably mechanically
fastened to the facade panel, for example screwed, but can in
principle also be glued. For this purpose, for example, the TU-S
blind fastening system from SFS or undercut anchor systems from
Fischer or Keil can be used. It is also conceivable that rivets
are used to fasten the profile elements on the facade panel.
According to a further advantageous embodiment, the profile
element according to the invention has a second leg in the area
of the receiving space, which lies in the same plane as the
mounting section. This makes it possible to place the profile
element on a wall of a building or on a facade beam and then to
fasten it without the facade element being able to tilt. In a
preferred embodiment, the facade panel with the profile elements
is mounted on a wall of the building or on a facade beam by
means of screws, the screws being placed in the area of the
mounting section. In particular, when the facade panels in the
installed state are mounted so that a gap is formed between the
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facade panels, and if this gap is sufficiently large
dimensioned, it is possible for a tool to reach the screws in
the area of the mounting section to screw on the facade panel
together with profile elements or to detach it from the wall or
facade beam. Preferably, the gap between the installed facade
panels should therefore be between 5 mm and 20 mm, particularly
preferably being a gap width in the range between 6 mm and 10
mm, and more preferably of about 8 mm, because with this gap
dimension, on the one hand, the facade appears elegantly styled
and offers sufficient visual protection for the elements
attached behind the facade and, on the other hand, is large
enough to easily reach the screws with a tool.
With regard to the U-shaped receiving space, which is formed
from a first and a second leg, which extend from a base, it
should be noted that this U-shaped receiving space can also be
formed in that the second leg together with the base and the
facade panel forms this space. The first leg can therefore be
omitted.
In a further embodiment, a stepped recess is formed on the free
end of the mounting section and in a further preferred
embodiment, in the installed state, superposed facade panels are
positioned such that the stepped recess of the one profile
element protrudes into the receiving space of the other profile
element.
Furthermore, a stop which is aligned essentially transversely to
the leg can be formed on the free end of the second leg of the
preferably U-shaped receiving space. This stop can fix the
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stepped recess protruding into the receiving space with respect
to its horizontal movement play. In order to be able to insert
the recess into the receiving space or to take it out again, the
height of the second leg must be equal to or greater than the
height of the recess.
The profile element is preferably attached exclusively to the
back of the facade panel. Parts of the profile element can come
to rest on the top or bottom of the profile element. There is no
part of the profile element on the front of the facade panel. In
a further preferred embodiment, the profile element is arranged
only on the back and top of the facade panel.
Preferably, 1 to a maximum of 5 profile elements can be fastened
to a facade element. Furthermore, the profile elements are
preferably made of aluminum and are produced in an extrusion
process and then anodized. Typical dimensions of a profile
element for a facade panel with the dimensions of 15 cm x 180 cm
are 16 cm x 6 cm, preferably 3 profile elements being used with
a length of the facade panel of 180 cm. The height of the facade
panel can vary between 6.5 cm and 15 cm.
A construction kit with the profile element according to the
invention described above additionally has a start and an end
profile as the second and third profile elements. Using the
start and end profiles, the facade panels can be mounted on the
facade edge, usually at the bottom and at the top. Both the
start and the end profile have certain features of the profile
element, that is to say they are basically half a profile
element formed either from the top or bottom section of the
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profile element according to the invention. The start profile is
fastened to the building wall or facade beam and defines the
bottom edge of the facade wall. Compared to the profile element,
it has only one mounting section and the recess adjacent to the
mounting section. In this way, the start profile is used to
receive the profile element of the bottommost facade panel.
The end profiles, however, are only mounted on the back of the
topmost facade panel of a facade wall or on a facade panel
adjacent to a window sill, for example. The structure of the end
profiles basically only differs in the mounting section. The end
profile has mounting section that is, in the installed state,
flush vertically oriented along the building wall. The profile
is preferably fastened with a screw above the upper edge of the
facade panel. If the facade panel has to be narrower for reasons
of space, because it has to be installed under a window sill,
for example, this facade panel is cut accordingly and then the
end profile is mounted on the back. The end profile is then also
shortened to such an extent that the fastening continues to be
above the top edge of the facade. A subject of the invention
also relates to a facade system with the profile element
described above for producing a building facade, comprising
facade panels and profile elements connected or connectable to
the facade panels.
The facade system according to the invention is particularly
suitable for small or medium-sized facade panels in the typical
size of a width of about 6 cm to 40 cm and a length of up to
about 180 cm, wherein the facade panels can be made of glass
fiber concrete, fiber cement or laminate panels plates also
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referred to as HPL-panels (High Pressure Laminate - HPL). The
facade system is preferably used for horizontal orientations of
the facade elements. However, vertical or diagonal orientations
are also possible.
The height of the profile element, that is to say the distance
from the mounting section to the receiving section, is
preferably greater than the height of the facade panel to which
the profile element is attached. This facilitates both the
mounting and dismantling of a facade panel, regardless of its
position in the facade wall.
The optional features mentioned can be implemented in any
combination, provided that they are not mutually exclusive.
Further advantages and features of the invention result from the
following detailed description of the invention with reference
to schematic representations.
In a representation that is not to scale:
Figure 1: shows a sectional view through a facade
system according to the invention with three
facade elements in the installed state
Figure 2: shows a sectional view through a facade
system according to the invention with three
facade elements, the central facade element
being shown in an installed or dismounted
state.
Figure 3 shows a side view of a further possible
embodiment of a profile element
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Figure 4 shows a vertical section of the profile
element shown in Figure 3
Figure 5 shows a side view of a start profile for
receiving the profile element of the
bottommost facade panels
Figure 6 shows a side view of an end profile as a
partial profile of the profile element
Figure 7 shows a vertical section of the end profile
shown in Figure 6
Figure 8 shows a sectional view through a façade
system according to the invention with three
facade elements and the correct arrangement
of the three different profiles
Figure 9 shows a top view of a possible embodiment of
a corner connection panel
Figure 10 shows a representation of a sheathing of a
corner with a facade system according to the
invention and the use of a corner connection
panel
Figure 1 shows a sectional view through a facade system 11
according to the invention with three facade elements mounted
one above the other in the installed state, a building wall or a
facade support not being shown. The facade elements are all
identical in construction and are formed from a facade panel 12
and a profile element 13. Profile element 13 is preferably
designed as an aluminum extrusion part and has a receiving
section 15, a fastening section 17 and a mounting section 19. At
the free end of the receiving section 15, a receiving space 21
is formed, which is preferably U-shaped. The U-shaped receiving
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space is formed by two legs 23, 25. A stepped recess 27 is
formed on the free end of the mounting section. The height of
profile element 13 is determined by the distance between
receiving section 15 and mounting section 19.
Profile element 13 and facade panel 12 are preferably screwed
together (screws not shown). The screwing takes place in the
area of fastening section 17. In this fastening section, profile
element 13 is designed in such a way that fastening section 17
forms a support surface which can be placed flat on facade
element 12 and subsequently screwed on. In the interaction
between the support surface with a first leg 23 of receiving
space 21, the profile element is further stabilized on the
facade panel because the first leg also rests on facade panel
12. In the area of the free end of the profile part at which
mounting section 19 begins, a cross strut 35 is formed, which
forms a stop edge 37. This stop edge 37 serves as a positioning
aid, since this stop edge 37 abuts top longitudinal side 45 of
facade panel 12 in the installed state. A little further towards
fastening section 17, a rib 33 is provided, which forms a
further additional support on facade panel 12 for profile
element 13.
Mounting section 19 extends beyond longitudinal side 45 of
facade panel 12. In the area of mounting section 19, which rests
directly on a building wall or a facade beam (both not shown),
profile element 13 with facade panel 12 carried by profile
element 13 is fastened to the wall or the facade beam by means
of a screw not shown. Support surface 22 formed in the area of
mounting section 19, which rests on the wall or the facade beam,
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is preferably in the same plane as second leg 25 of receiving
space 21. Thus, it is possible to push profile element 13
together with the facade panel against the housing wall or
against the facade beam during mounting, because profile element
12 rests cleanly.
The facade elements are mostly mounted from the bottom up on a
building wall or a facade beam, which means that the bottommost
row of the facade elements is the first to be screwed to the
building. Then the second row follows. Here, the facade elements
of the second row are placed or attached so that a recess 27 of
a profile element 13 of the bottommost row of facades engages in
receiving space 21 of a profile element 13 of the row of facades
above. The facade elements are mounted in such a way that a gap
is formed on all sides between adjacent facade panels 12, which
is preferably about 8 mm wide. This ensures that facade panels
12 have enough space for expansion caused by heat. In addition,
it is possible to reach the screws through gap 31 between facade
panels 12 with a tool.
U-shaped receiving space 21 has a stop 29 at its free end. This
stop 29 serves to limit or fix recess 27 protruding into
receiving space 21 and thus profile element 13 as a whole with
regard to the horizontal movement play.
Figure 2 shows a sectional view through a facade system
according to the invention with three facade elements, the
central facade element being shown at a moment of installation
or dismantling. As particularly can be seen from 2, the height hs
of second leg 25 must be equal to or greater than the height hR
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of recess 27. Only in this way it is ensured that it is possible
that, retrospectively, a facade element can be dismantled from a
façade system in the installed state or can be reinstalled,
because this creates a sufficient large space for movement. In
Figure 2, the central facade element is shifted in the direction
of the facade element located above. As a result, recess 27 of
the facade element located underneath no longer protrudes into
receiving space 21 of the central facade element and the facade
element can therefore be given away in relation to the housing
wall. With this procedure, retrospectively installing or
retrospectively dismantling individual facade elements is
possible at any time in a simple manner.
As can be seen in both figures, profile elements 13 according to
the invention have grooves 39, 41 on the side facing the
building wall for receiving a corner connector 43. Such a corner
connector 43 is designed for example as an L-shaped metal angle
and is only used in the area of corners and reveals of a
building. Corner connector 43 is inserted into grooves 39 and 41
of those adjacent profile elements 13, the facade panels of
which on the face end at a building corner and which are mounted
on different sides of the building. This corner connector 43
secures and fixes the facade in the corner areas of buildings.
A further embodiment of a profile element is shown in Figure 3.
In contrast to the previous embodiment, this embodiment has
slight structural differences. Recess 27 at the free end of
mounting section 19 is configured in a rounded shape, but still
has a stepped structure. Furthermore, two support surfaces are
arranged one below the other in fastening section 17. This
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enables profile element 13 to be screwed onto facade panel 12 by
means of two superposed screws 60. Below and above the fastening
section there are two ring-shaped screw receptacles 46 on
profile element 13. These are not completely closed in their
ring shape but have an opening, which gives them a crescent
shape.
Figure 4 shows a vertical section of profile element 13. It
shows fastening section 17 of two superposed rows of holes 51,
which serve to receive screws for fastening profile element 13
at facade panel 12. A horizontal row of holes is arranged in the
mounting section, an elongated hole 53 and a circular hole 55
alternating in each case. Elongated holes 53 are aligned in the
horizontal direction and have the same dimension in the vertical
direction as circular holes 55. These holes in mounting section
19 serve to fasten profile element 13 to a building wall 57 or a
facade beam. Elongated holes 53 allow play in the horizontal
direction to accommodate a possible expansion of profile element
13.
Figure 5 shows a start profile 113, which defines the bottom
edge of the facade. Start profile 113 has, as profile element
13, a mounting section 119 with a recess 127 in which is formed
in a stepped manner. Recess 127 is used to hold receiving
section 15 of a profile element 13 which is mounted on the back
of a facade panel (see Fig. 8). The mounting section has in this
case also a support surface 122, which in the mounted state
abuts the building wall. Using a screw 59, supporting surface
122 and with it start profile 113 can be fastened to building
57. In contrast to profile element 13, start profile 113 has
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recess 127 not at the upper but at the lower free end. However,
recess 127 is still directed upwards in order to ensure its
functionality. Start profile 113 has a length corresponding to
that of facade panel 12.
End profile 213 is shown in sectional view in Figure 6. End
profile 213 has some identical features as a partial profile of
profile element 13. Receiving section 215 is constructed the
same, on the one hand. Fastening section 217 also has a vertical
support surface 218 in end profile 213. Mounting section 219 is
formed by a further vertically oriented support surface. Above
fastening section 217 there is attached a leg 256 which comes to
be flush with the surface of facade panel 12. The fact that this
surface rests on the facade surface prevents the end profile 213
from pivoting. Another horizontal connecting piece 258 connects
to mounting section 219. Said mounting section 219 begins below
the center of end profile 213 and extends vertically upwards, so
that, in use, the support surface representing mounting section
219 is flush with building wall 57 or the facade beam.
The vertical section of end profile 213 in Figure 7 shows the
different through bores 251 arranged at end profile 213. In
fastening section 217 there are three through bores 251 arranged
horizontally next to one another. Through these holes 251 screws
260 are passed, which fasten end profile 213 to facade panel 12.
Several rows of through holes are arranged in mounting section
219, with an elongated hole 253 and a circular hole 255
alternating in the horizontal direction. In the vertical
direction, the holes are always arranged one below the other and
always have the same hole shape in a row. If below a ceiling or
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an upper limiter, facade panel 12 must be reduced in height, end
profile 213 can be adapted to the new height of facade panel 12
by shortening of mounting section 219.
Figure 8 shows an example of the use of a construction kit
according to the invention with three facade panels. Here the
two lower facade panels 12 are fastened to the building wall 57
by means of a profile element 13 and top facade panel 12 is
fastened to the building wall 57 by means of an end profile 213.
The fastening is made by screws 59, 259. Adjacent facade panels
are separated from one another in the fully mounted construction
by a gap 31. The gap 31 has a width such at that a screw 59 can
be passed through this gap. This allows to fasten profile
element 13 with a screw 59 and by using a tool to the building
wall from the outside. The facade panels are usually mounted
from bottom up. Start profile 113 is mounted at the bottom. It
must be attached to that place at building wall 57 from which
the facade is to be hoisted. Fastening of start profile 113 to
wall 57 is preferably also done by screw connections.
Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a corner connector
compared to the corner connector described above. This corner
connector comprises a panel 61, the edges of which can be held
by grooves 39, 41 of profile element 13. Panel 61 has a one-
sided expansion 62 of the cross section on one side. On this
side, two holes 63 are arranged at the same distance from the
panel edge. The distance between holes 63 is the same as that
between the annular screw receptacles 46 of profile element 13
shown in Figure 3.
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Figure 10 shows the use of the corner connector panel shown in
Figure 9 for sheathing a corner with facade plates 12 which are
fastened to building wall 57 by means of profile elements 13
according to the invention. As described above, profile elements
13 are fastened to the wall by means of a screw connection via
their mounting section 19. Corner connection panel 61 is to be
attached to a profile element 13 of these facade panels 12
before mounting both facade panels 12. Facade panels 12, which
are arranged perpendicular to one another, must be at a distance
from one another which is intended to enable a screw to be
passed through and the screw to be fastened from the outside
using a tool. The screw, which is advantageously a self-drilling
screw, is inserted into the hole in the corner connector panel
61 and then into the annular screw receptacles 46 of profile
element 13 of facade panel 12, which has no corner connector
panel 61.
While the invention has been described above with reference to
specific embodiments, it is apparent that changes,
modifications, variations and combinations can be made without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
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LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS:
11 facade system
12 facade panel
13 profile element
15 receiving section
17 fastening section
18 support surface in the fastening section
19 mounting section
21 receiving space
22 support surface in the mounting section
23 first leg
25 second leg
27 recess
29 stop
31 gap
33 rib
35 cross strut
37 stop edge
39 first groove
41 second groove
43 corner connector
45 longitudinal side
46 annular screw receptacle
51 hole
53 elongated hole
55 circular hole
57 building wall
59 building wall screw
60 facade panel screw
61 corner connector panel
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62 expansion of the corner connector panel
63 hole through corner connector panel
113 start profile
119 mounting section
122 support surface in the mounting section
127 recess
213 end profile
215 receiving section
217 fastening section
218 support surface in the fastening section
219 mounting section
251 hole
253 elongated hole
255 circular hole
256 vertical leg
258 horizontal connecting piece
259 building wall screw
260 facade panel screw
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