Fire-resistant safety glass windows

Abstract

A fire-resistant glass window is provided, comprising a window frame having an upper frame portion, a lower frame portion, and a pair of side frame portions, and a fire-resistant glass pane having multiple glass panes and a resin interlayer interposed between the multiple glass panes, fitted to the inner circumference of the window frame along its periphery, thereby suppressing the leakage of the resin interlayer, which has liquefied due to heating caused by a fire, and the generated gases, to the outside of the window frame through the gap between the lower frame body and the trim, and thereby providing a fire-resistant glass window that exhibits superior flame-blocking performance. [Solution] The lower frame portion 22 comprises a lower frame body 22a having a first inner surface 22a4 facing the main surface 3a on one side in the thickness direction of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3, and a second upper surface 22a2 facing the end surface of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3, and a trim 22b having one side surface 22b2 facing the main surface 3c on the other side in the thickness direction, and a lower surface 22b1 that contacts the lower frame body 22a, wherein the second upper surface 22a2 is located below the lower surface 22b1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire safety glass window.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in commercial facilities such as department stores, public facilities such as city halls, or large buildings such as office buildings, fire safety glass windows that close openings such as entrances and wall parts are known. In this type of fire safety glass window, it is necessary to have both the function as a fire door that blocks flames and smoke during a fire and maximally prevents the spread of fire, and the function as a safety glass that does not scatter fragments and does not form a through hole even when damaged by impact during normal times. Generally, those certified as specific fire protection equipment by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism are used. The specific fire protection equipment is defined in Article 112, Paragraph 1 of the Enforcement Order of the Building Standards Law. When exposed to flames from an ordinary fire, it has the performance of not emitting flames from the surface other than the heating surface for 1 hour after the start of heating, and it is a fire protection equipment that has passed the test by an evaluation testing organization designated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

[0003] As an example of such a fire safety glass window, for example, in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, there is disclosed a fire window (fire safety glass window) including a window frame formed in a rectangular frame shape, a first plate glass and a second plate glass (a plurality of plate glasses) laminated via a resin layer (resin intermediate film), and a laminated glass (fire safety plate glass) fitted into the window frame along the peripheral portion.

[0004] In the above fire safety glass window, the lower frame (lower frame part) of the window frame mainly consists of a frame main body part (lower frame main body) formed of a hollow member having a substantially L-shaped cross section in a sectional view, and a pressing edge that is detachably fixed to the lower frame main body. The fire safety plate glass is supported by a plurality (for example, two) of setting blocks arranged in a groove formed between the lower frame main body and the pressing edge with the lower end portion inserted into the groove. Furthermore, the lower frame portion of the window frame (more specifically, the lower frame body) is provided with a plurality of inner circumferential wall through-holes (groove-side discharge holes) that penetrate the bottom surface of the groove portion, and a first side wall through-hole (outer side discharge hole) and a second side wall through-hole (outer side discharge hole) that penetrate the side surface of the lower frame body.

[0005] Furthermore, if a fire occurs, for example, near a fire-resistant glass window, the resin interlayer (hereinafter referred to as "liquefied interlayer") and the gas generated by the heating caused by the fire will flow into the lower frame body through multiple groove-side discharge holes, and then be discharged to the outside of the window frame through multiple outer-side discharge holes located on the side where the fire originated (the heated side). This allows the flame-blocking performance of the fire-resistant glass window to be realized. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-2480 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-74515 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, in conventional fire-resistant glass windows using such glazing strips, if a relatively large amount of liquefied interlayer film or gas is generated due to heating conditions during a fire or an increase in external size, there was a risk that some of this liquefied interlayer film or gas could leak through the gap between the lower frame body and the glazing strip to the opposite side of the heating, causing it to ignite and potentially compromising the flame-blocking performance.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the current situation described above, and aims to provide a fire-resistant safety glass window comprising a rectangular frame-shaped window frame having an upper frame portion, a lower frame portion, and a pair of side frame portions, and a fire-resistant safety glass plate having a plurality of glass plates and a resin interlayer interposed between the plurality of glass plates, fitted to the inner circumference of the window frame along its periphery, thereby suppressing the leakage of the resin interlayer (liquefied interlayer) and generated gases that have liquefied due to heating caused by a fire to the outside of the window frame through the gap between the lower frame body and the trim in the lower frame portion, and thereby providing a fire-resistant safety glass window that can exhibit superior flame-blocking performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The problems that this invention aims to solve are as described above, and the means for solving these problems will now be explained.

[0010] That is, a fire-resistant glass window according to embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises a rectangular frame-shaped window frame having an upper frame portion, a lower frame portion, and a pair of side frame portions, and a fire-resistant glass plate having a plurality of glass plates and a resin interlayer interposed between the plurality of glass plates, and fitted into the inner circumference side of the window frame along its peripheral edge, wherein the lower frame portion comprises a lower frame body having a first opposing surface facing one main surface in the thickness direction of the fire-resistant glass plate and a bottom surface facing the end surface of the fire-resistant glass plate at the lower end of the fire-resistant glass plate, and a glazing edge having a second opposing surface facing the other main surface in the thickness direction and a bottom surface in contact with the lower frame body, wherein the bottom surface of the lower frame body is located below the bottom surface of the glazing edge. Thus, in the fire-resistant safety glass window according to the present invention, since the bottom surface of the lower frame body is located below the lower surface of the trim, even if a relatively large amount of liquefied interlayer film or gas is generated, this bottom surface can stably receive and temporarily contain these liquefied interlayer film and gas. Therefore, the fire-resistant safety glass window according to the present invention prevents some of these liquefied interlayers and gases from unexpectedly leaking out of the window frame through the gap between the lower frame body and the trim in the lower frame, thereby exhibiting superior flame-blocking performance.

[0011] Furthermore, the fire-resistant safety glass window according to embodiment 2 of the present invention is characterized in that, in embodiment 1, the step between the bottom surface of the lower frame body and the bottom surface of the trim is 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less. In this case, if the difference in height between the bottom surface of the lower frame body and the bottom surface of the trim is less than 3 mm, the bottom surface cannot adequately contain the liquefied interlayer and gas generated by the fire, making it difficult to adequately prevent some of these liquefied interlayers and gases from unexpectedly leaking out of the window frame through the gap between the lower frame body and the trim. On the other hand, if the difference in height between the bottom surface of the lower frame body and the bottom surface of the trim exceeds 10 mm, it becomes difficult to ensure a certain degree of rigidity for the lower frame body, which may cause twisting or bending. In the fire-resistant glass window according to the present invention, the step between the bottom surface of the lower frame body and the bottom surface of the trim is 3 mm to 10 mm. Therefore, while ensuring a certain degree of rigidity with respect to the lower frame body, it is possible to more reliably suppress the leakage of the liquefied interlayer and some of the gas into the gap between the lower frame body and the trim, thereby exhibiting excellent flame-blocking performance.

[0012] Furthermore, the fire-resistant safety glass window according to embodiment 3 of the present invention is characterized in that, in embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, the fire-resistant safety glass window further comprises a setting block disposed on the bottom surface of the lower frame body and supporting the lower end of the fire-resistant safety glass panel, and a protrusion is provided at the location where the setting block is disposed on the bottom surface that protrudes toward the fire-resistant safety glass panel. With this configuration, according to the fire-resistant glass window of the present invention, for example, a plurality of groove-side discharge holes leading to the outside of the window frame are provided on the bottom surface of the lower frame body at positions that avoid the protruding portion. As a result, the liquefied interlayer and gas generated by the fire are efficiently discharged to the outside of the window frame via these groove-side discharge holes through the bottom surface, which is located at a lower position than the height of the setting block, thereby effectively preventing the fire-resistant glass panel from exploding or breaking due to the expansion pressure of the liquefied interlayer and gas.

[0013] Furthermore, in the fire-resistant safety glass window according to embodiment 4 of the present invention, the protruding portion is characterized in that, in embodiment 3 above, the protruding portion has an upper surface on which the setting block is placed, and a pair of inclined surfaces that extend from both ends in the extending direction of the lower end of the fire-resistant safety glass plate on the upper surface toward the bottom surface of the lower frame, and that are inclined so as they move toward the bottom surface they gradually move away from the upper surface. With this configuration, according to the fire-resistant glass window of the present invention, the liquefied interlayer generated by the fire flows down the pair of inclined surfaces and is stably guided to the bottom surface of the lower frame body. Therefore, for example, if multiple groove-side discharge holes leading to the outside of the window frame are provided on the bottom surface of the lower frame body at positions that avoid the aforementioned protrusions, the liquefied interfilm can be more reliably discharged to the outside of the window frame through these multiple groove-side discharge holes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The present invention provides the following effects: In other words, the fire-resistant safety glass window according to the present invention prevents the resin interlayer (liquefied interlayer) and generated gases, which have liquefied due to heating caused by a fire, from leaking out of the window frame through the gap between the lower frame body and the trim in the lower frame, thereby exhibiting superior flame-blocking performance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1]This is a front view showing the overall configuration of a fire safety glass window according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a view showing the configuration of the lower frame portion of the window frame indicated by the region A in FIG. 1, where (a) is an enlarged partial cross-sectional front view thereof, and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional side view seen in the direction of arrow X1 in FIG. 2(a). [Figure 3] In the fire safety glass window according to the first alternative embodiment, it is a view showing the configuration of the lower frame portion of the window frame, where (a) is an enlarged partial cross-sectional front view thereof, and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional side view seen in the direction of arrow X2 in FIG. 3(a). [Figure 4] In the fire safety glass window according to the second alternative embodiment, it is a view showing the configuration of the lower frame portion of the window frame, where (a) is an enlarged partial cross-sectional front view thereof, and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional side view seen in the direction of arrow X3 in FIG. 4(a).

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. [[ID=u18]] For the following description, for convenience, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the fire safety glass windows 1, 101, and 201 will be defined and described according to the direction of the arrows shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0017] [Overall Configuration of Fire Safety Glass Window 1] First, the overall configuration of the fire safety glass window 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0018] The fire safety glass window 1 is used, for example, in openings of commercial facilities such as department stores and supermarkets, public facilities such as city halls, hospitals, and station buildings, or large buildings such as office buildings, and closes the opening so as to enable daylighting. As shown in FIG. 1, the fire safety glass window 1 mainly includes a rectangular frame-shaped window frame 2, a fire safety plate glass 3 fitted on the inner peripheral side of the window frame 2, and a setting block 4 that supports the lower end portion of the fire safety plate glass 3. Furthermore, the fire-resistant glass window 1 includes a filler material 5 and fire-resistant silicone 6 (see Figure 2(b)), which are sealed in the gap between the window frame 2 and the fire-resistant glass panel 3 during installation, for purposes such as fixing the fire-resistant glass panel 3 fitted into the window frame 2 or preventing water, muddy water, etc., from entering the window frame 2.

[0019] The window frame 2 can be formed from a material that does not soften or burn when heated by a fire. For example, the material of the window frame 2 may be a metal component such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or copper, but it is preferable that the window frame 2 be formed from a hollow component made of steel plate that has been treated with a rust-preventive coating such as zinc plating.

[0020] The window frame 2 has an upper frame portion 21, a lower frame portion 22, and a pair of side frame portions 23, 23. The upper frame portion 21 is, for example, a hollow member with a substantially concave cross-sectional shape that extends in one direction, and is positioned with a rectangular cross-sectional upper frame side groove portion 21a, which is provided in the center of the width direction (a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the upper frame portion 21, and in this embodiment, the front-to-back direction) on one side, facing downwards and with the extension direction being the left-to-right direction. Furthermore, the pair of side frame sections 23, 23, like the upper frame section 21, are each made of hollow members with a roughly concave cross-section that extend in one direction, and are arranged parallel to each other with rectangular cross-sectional side frame groove sections 23a, 23a located in the center of the width direction (perpendicular to the extension direction of the side frame section 23, and in this embodiment, the front-to-back direction) on one side, and with their extension direction being the vertical direction.

[0021] The lower frame portion 22 consists of a hollow member with a substantially concave cross-sectional shape extending in one direction, and comprises a lower frame body 22a positioned below the upper frame portion 21 with its extension direction being left-right, and a trim strip 22b that is detachably fixed to the lower frame body 22a.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the lower frame body 22a has a first upper surface 22a1, a second upper surface 22a2, and a third upper surface 22a3 located sequentially from one side to the other in the width direction (a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the lower frame body 22a, and in this embodiment, the front-to-back direction), a first inner surface 22a4 connecting the first upper surface 22a1 and the second upper surface 22a2, and a second inner surface 22a5 connecting the third upper surface 22a3 and the second upper surface 22a2. Here, the third upper surface 22a3 is located below the first upper surface 22a1, and the second upper surface 22a2 is located below both the first upper surface 22a1 and the third upper surface 22a3.

[0023] Furthermore, the lower frame body 22a has a lower surface 22a6 located below the first upper surface 22a1, the second upper surface 22a2, and the third upper surface 22a3, a first outer surface 22a7 connecting the first upper surface 22a1 and the lower surface 22a6, and a second outer surface 22a8 connecting the third upper surface 22a3 and the lower surface 22a6.

[0024] The above-mentioned second upper surface 22a2 is an example of a bottom surface according to the present invention. Furthermore, the above-mentioned first inner surface 22a4 is an example of the first opposing surface according to the present invention.

[0025] On the other hand, the trim piece 22b is made of a solid member with a rectangular cross-section extending in one direction, and its height dimension h is approximately equal to the distance d1 between the first upper surface 22a1 and the third upper surface 22a3 (h=d1), and its width dimension Wa is set to be slightly smaller than the width dimension d2 on the third upper surface 22a3 (Wa <d2)。

[0026] The trim strip 22b is positioned on the third upper surface 22a3 along the extending direction of the lower frame body 22a and is detachably fixed by fastening members such as bolts. In other words, the trim strip 22b has a lower surface 22b1 that contacts the third upper surface 22a3 of the lower frame body 22a. As a result, a rectangular lower frame side groove 22c is formed in the center of the lower frame 22 in the width direction, along the extension direction of the lower frame 22. This groove is composed of a first inner surface 22a4, a second upper surface 22a2, a second inner surface 22a5, and a trim strip 22b (more specifically, one side 22b2 of the trim strip 22b facing the first inner surface 22a4). One side surface 22b2 of the trim strip 22b is an example of a second opposing surface according to the present invention.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the lower frame portion 22 is positioned below the upper frame portion 21, with the lower frame side groove portion 22c facing the upper frame side groove portion 21a (i.e., with the lower frame side groove portion 22c facing upward), extending in the left-right direction and parallel to the upper frame portion 21.

[0028] The upper frame portion 21, the lower frame portion 22, and the pair of side frame portions 23, 23, which are configured in this way, are integrally connected to each other by welding, screwing, etc., as will be described later, and are constructed as a rectangular frame-shaped window frame 2, with rectangular groove portions (upper frame side groove portion 21a, lower frame side groove portion 22c, and side frame side groove portion 23a) provided along the inner circumferential surface in cross-section.

[0029] The window frame 2 then fits the peripheral edge of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3 through the groove, and fixes the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3 in place via the filler material 5 and fire-resistant silicone 6 (see Figure 2(b)), etc.

[0030] In this embodiment, the dimensions of the window frame 2 are as follows: outer dimensions are 2495mm × 1250mm × 125mm, and inner dimensions are 2400mm × 1200mm × 106.2mm. Furthermore, the width dimensions of the rectangular grooves (upper frame side groove 21a, lower frame side groove 22c, and side frame side groove 23a) provided on the inside of the window frame 2 are all set to be approximately the same.

[0031] The width dimension of the groove (for example, the width dimension W1 shown in Figure 2(b)) is set according to the thickness dimension t of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3, for example, (width dimension W1 of the groove) - (thickness dimension t of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3) = approximately 5 mm to 15 mm.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the fire-resistant safety glass plate 3 consists of a plurality of (for example, two in this embodiment) glass plates 31, 31 and a resin interlayer 32 interposed between the two glass plates 31, 31. It is a laminated glass body formed by bonding the two glass plates 31, 31 together with the resin interlayer 32.

[0033] The fire-resistant safety glass plate 3 can be manufactured by laminating two glass plates 31-31 with a resin interlayer 32 sandwiched between them, and then fusing the resin interlayer 32 by heating it with a heating means (not shown), such as an autoclave, thereby integrating the two glass plates 31-31 and the resin interlayer 32.

[0034] Furthermore, the glass plate 3 can be made of fire-resistant glass such as heat-resistant crystallized glass or heat-resistant tempered glass. For example, the glass plate 3 in this embodiment is made of heat-resistant crystallized glass. Furthermore, examples of resin interlayers 32 include thermosetting resins such as phenolic resin (PF), epoxy resin (EP), melamine resin (MF), urea resin (urea resin, UF), unsaturated polyester resin (UP), alkyd resin, polyurethane resin (PUR), and thermosetting polyimide (PI); thermoplastic resins such as vinyl acetate resin, vinyl chloride resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyvinyl butyral resin (PVB), polyvinyl alcohol resin (PVA), and ionomer resin; and other UV-curing resins. Among these resins, EVA resin, PVB resin, and ionomer resin are preferred due to their superior cost-effectiveness and adhesive properties.

[0035] In this way, by laminating two glass plates 31-31, it is possible to increase the strength of the fire-resistant safety glass plate 3. Furthermore, because of the interlayer made of resin 32, even if a very strong impact is applied and the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3 breaks, there is no risk of fragments scattering, thus improving safety.

[0036] In this embodiment, two sheets of glass 31 are laminated, but three or more sheets of glass 31 may be laminated depending on the fire resistance requirements. Furthermore, while a minimum level of fire resistance can be provided by having at least one of the multiple glass plates 31, 31, ... made of fire-resistant glass, it is preferable that all of the glass plates 31 be made of fire-resistant glass in order to achieve superior fire resistance.

[0037] The setting block 4 is positioned within the lower frame side groove 22c of the lower frame portion 22 (i.e., on the second upper surface 22a2 of the lower frame body 22a) and supports the lower end of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3. The setting block 4 is made of, for example, a refractory material such as calcium silicate, or a metal such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or copper. In this embodiment, for example, it is made of a steel member in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0038] For example, two setting blocks 4·4 are provided for one fire-resistant safety glass panel 3. As shown in Figure 1, they are positioned to support the left and right intermediate parts of the lower end of the left glass portion S1, which is the left-side region, and the left and right intermediate parts of the lower end of the right glass portion S2, which is the right-side region, with respect to the center line CL, which is the left-right center of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3.

[0039] Specifically, these two setting blocks 4,4 are positioned at intervals d4 of approximately 1 / 4 of the width W of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3 (d4 = (1 / 4) × W), and are spaced apart from the side frame portions 23,23 on both sides of the window frame 2 (more specifically, the bottom surface of the side frame groove portion 23a). This allows the pair of setting blocks 4-4 on the left and right to efficiently and stably support the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3.

[0040] In Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the bottom surface (more specifically, the second upper surface 22a2) of the lower frame side groove 22c in the lower frame portion 22 is provided with a groove-side discharge hole 24 that connects to the inside of the lower frame body 22a. Furthermore, both sides of the lower frame portion 22 (more specifically, the first outer surface 22a7 and the second outer surface 22a8) are provided with outer surface side discharge holes 25, 25 that connect to the inside of the lower frame body 22a. In other words, the bottom surface of the lower frame side groove 22c in the lower frame portion 22 is provided with a groove side discharge hole 24 that connects to the outside of the window frame 2 via an outer surface side discharge hole 25.

[0041] Multiple discharge holes 24, 24, ... are provided along the extending direction of the lower frame body 22a and are arranged at approximately equal intervals, avoiding the pair of setting blocks 4, 4. On the other hand, the outer side discharge holes 25, 25, ... are also provided in multiple numbers on each side of the lower frame portion 22 (first outer side 22a7 or second outer side 22a8), similar to the groove side discharge holes 24, and are positioned in approximately the same locations as the groove side discharge holes 24 in the extending direction of the lower frame portion 22.

[0042] Furthermore, it is preferable that each of the outer side discharge holes 25 be sealed with a resin sealing member 7 or the like in normal conditions (for example, conditions other than when a fire occurs) to prevent water, muddy water, etc. from entering the window frame 2. Furthermore, the melting point of the sealing member 7 is preferably 700°C or lower. As a result, for example, in the event of a fire, the sealing member 7 that closes the outer side discharge hole 25 located on the heated side (the side where the fire is occurring, separated by the fire-resistant safety glass window 1) immediately melts, and the lower frame side groove 22c can be connected to the outside of the window frame 2 via the outer side discharge hole 25 and the groove side discharge hole 24.

[0043] Furthermore, if the resin interlayer 32 liquefies due to heating, for example, a fire, and leaks from the lower end of the fire-resistant glass panel 3 into the lower frame side groove 22c of the lower frame 22, the liquefied resin interlayer 32 (liquefied interlayer), along with the gas generated from the resin interlayer 32, passes in order through the groove side discharge hole 24, the inside of the lower frame body 22a, and the outer side discharge hole 25, and is efficiently discharged to the outside of the heated side of the window frame 2.

[0044] Although not shown in the diagram, the upper frame 21 and the pair of side frame sections 23, 23 (see Figure 1) are also provided with multiple discharge holes that connect to the outside of the window frame 2. These discharge holes are provided, for example, to penetrate from the bottom surface of each groove (upper frame side groove 21a and side frame side groove 23a) toward the outside of the window frame 2, and are positioned at predetermined locations in the extending direction of each member (left-right direction in the upper frame 21 and up-down direction in the side frame 23) so as to face the upper end and both sides of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3 (more specifically, the resin interlayer 32).

[0045] Furthermore, even if the resin interlayer 32 liquefies due to heating, for example, a fire, and leaks from the upper end and both sides of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3 into the upper frame side groove 21a of the upper frame 21 and the side frame side groove 23a of the side frame 23, the liquefied resin interlayer 32 (liquefied interlayer) is efficiently discharged to the outside of the window frame 2 along with the gas generated from the resin interlayer 32 through the multiple discharge holes.

[0046] Incidentally, as described above, in the lower frame portion 22, the lower end of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3 is supported from below by the setting block 4 and is fitted into the lower frame side groove portion 22c along the extending direction of the lower frame portion 22.

[0047] In other words, in the lower frame body 22a, the first inner surface (first opposing surface) 22a4 faces the main surface 3a on one side in the thickness direction of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3 (in this embodiment, the rear side in the front-to-back direction), while the second upper surface (bottom surface) 22a2 faces the end surface 3b at the lower end of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3. Furthermore, in the trim 22b, one side surface (second opposing surface) 22b2 faces the main surface 3c on the other side in the thickness direction of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3 (in this embodiment, the front side in the front-to-back direction), and the lower surface 22b1 is in contact with the third upper surface 22a3 of the lower frame body 22a.

[0048] Furthermore, the second upper surface (bottom surface) 22a2 of the lower frame body 22a is located below the third upper surface 22a3, that is, below the lower surface 22b1 of the trim piece 22b that contacts the third upper surface 22a3, and the fixing point between the lower frame body 22a and the trim piece 22b is provided at a raised position relative to the second upper surface 22a2.

[0049] Therefore, even if the resin interlayer 32 liquefies due to heating, for example, in a fire, and the liquefied interlayer leaks out from the lower end of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3, the liquefied interlayer can be secured at a lower position than the fixing point between the lower frame body 22a and the trim 22b. This effectively prevents the liquefied interlayer and some of the gas from unexpectedly leaking out of the window frame 2 through the gap between the lower frame body 22a and the trim 22b.

[0050] In the lower frame portion 22, the step L between the second upper surface (bottom surface) 22a2 of the lower frame body 22a and the lower surface 22b1 of the trim 22b is preferably 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less (3 mm ≤ L ≤ 10 mm). For example, in this embodiment, it is set to 10 mm (L = 10 mm).

[0051] Here, if the step L between the second upper surface (bottom surface) 22a2 of the lower frame body 22a and the lower surface 22b1 of the trim 22b is less than 3 mm (L < 3 mm), the second upper surface (bottom surface) 22a2 cannot adequately contain the liquefied interlayer and gas generated by the fire, making it difficult to adequately prevent some of these liquefied interlayers and gases from unexpectedly leaking out of the window frame 2 through the gap between the lower frame body 22a and the trim 22b in the lower frame section 22.

[0052] On the other hand, if the step L between the second upper surface (bottom surface) 22a2 of the lower frame body 22a and the lower surface 22b1 of the trim strip 22b exceeds 10 mm (L > 10 mm), it becomes difficult to ensure a certain degree of rigidity for the lower frame body 22a, which may cause twisting or bending.

[0053] In the fire-resistant safety glass window 1 of this embodiment, the step L between the second upper surface (bottom surface) 22a2 of the lower frame body 22a and the lower surface 22b1 of the trim 22b is 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less (3 mm ≤ L ≤ 10 mm). Therefore, while ensuring a certain degree of rigidity with respect to the lower frame body 22a, it is possible to more reliably suppress the leakage of the liquefied interlayer and some of the gas into the gap between the lower frame body 22a and the trim 22b and out to the outside of the window frame 2, thereby exhibiting excellent flame-blocking performance.

[0054] The fire-resistant safety glass window 1, having the configuration described above, is constructed and installed, for example, according to the following procedure. However, the installation procedure for fire-resistant safety glass window 1 is not limited to this procedure.

[0055] First, metal plates such as aluminum or steel are processed to create the upper frame portion 21, the lower frame portion 22 (more specifically, the lower frame body 22a), and a pair of side frame portions 23, 23, each having a predetermined cross-sectional shape, as described above.

[0056] Next, the peripheral edges of the fire-resistant glass panel 3 are fitted into the upper frame side groove 21a of the upper frame section 21 and the side frame side groove 23a of the side frame section 23, and the lower end of the fire-resistant glass panel 3 is placed on the second upper surface 22a2 of the lower frame section 22 (lower frame body 22a). With these components, the upper frame section 21, the lower frame section 22 (lower frame body 22a), and the pair of side frame sections 23, 23 are integrally connected to each other by welding, screwing, or the like to create a rectangular window frame 2.

[0057] After the window frame 2 is manufactured, the two setting blocks 4, 4 are placed in their respective predetermined positions relative to the window frame 2, with the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3 slightly shifted toward the upper frame portion 21. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 2, the trim strip 22b is placed at a predetermined position on the third upper surface 22a3 of the lower frame portion 22, and the trim strip 22b is fixed with fastening members such as bolts.

[0058] After fixing the trim 22b, filler material 5·5 made of foamed polyvinyl chloride or ceramic fiber blanket is interposed between the lower end of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3 and the lower frame side groove 22c of the lower frame 22. Furthermore, although not shown in the figures, filler material 5, 5 is also interposed between the upper end of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3 and the upper frame side groove portion 21a of the upper frame portion 21 (see Figure 1), and between both ends of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3 and the side frame side groove portions 23a, 23a of the pair of side frame portions 23.

[0059] Then, fire-resistant silicone 6-6 is sealed into the gaps between the peripheral edge of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3 and the respective grooves in the upper frame 21, lower frame 22, and side plate 23 (upper frame side groove 21a, lower frame side groove 22c, and side frame side groove 23a). As the fire-resistant silicone 6, for example, SE5007 (manufactured by Toray Dow Corning), sealant 40N (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Silicone Co., Ltd.), sealant 74 (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Silicone Co., Ltd.), etc. can be used and are filled using a caulking gun. This completes the installation of the fire-resistant safety glass window 1, and the fire-resistant safety glass window 1 is constructed.

[0060] As described above, the fire-resistant safety glass window 1 in this embodiment is a fire-resistant safety glass window comprising a rectangular frame-shaped window frame 2 having an upper frame portion 21, a lower frame portion 22, and a pair of side frame portions 23, 23, and a fire-resistant safety glass plate 3 having a plurality of glass plates 31, 31 and a resin interlayer 32 interposed between the plurality of glass plates 31, 31, and fitted into the inner circumference side of the window frame 2 along its periphery.

[0061] Here, the lower frame portion 22 comprises a lower frame body 22a having a first inner surface (first opposing surface) 22a4 facing the main surface 3a on one side (rear side) in the thickness direction of the fire safety glass panel 3, and a second upper surface (bottom surface) 22a2 facing the end surface 3b of the fire safety glass panel 3, and a trim 22b having one side (second opposing surface) 22b2 facing the main surface 3c on the other side (front side) in the thickness direction, and a lower surface 22b1 that contacts the lower frame body 22a.

[0062] In this embodiment, the second upper surface (bottom surface) 22a2 of the lower frame body 22a is positioned below the lower surface 22b1 of the trim strip 22b.

[0063] Thus, in the fire-resistant safety glass window 1 of this embodiment, since the second upper surface (bottom surface) 22a2 of the lower frame body 22a is located below the lower surface 22b1 of the trim 22b, even if a relatively large amount of liquefied interlayer film or gas is generated, the second upper surface (bottom surface) 22a2 can stably receive these liquefied interlayer film and gas.

[0064] Therefore, the fire-resistant safety glass window 1 in this embodiment prevents some of these liquefied interlayers and gases from unexpectedly leaking out of the window frame 2 through the gap between the lower frame body 22a and the trim 22b in the lower frame portion 22, thereby exhibiting superior flame-blocking performance.

[0065] [Overall configuration of fire-resistant safety glass window 101 (first alternative embodiment)] Next, the configuration of the fire-resistant safety glass window 101 in the first alternative embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 3(a) and 3(b).

[0066] The fire-resistant glass window 101 in this alternative embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the fire-resistant glass window 1 in the aforementioned embodiment, but differs from the fire-resistant glass window 1 in the configuration of the lower frame body 122a in the window frame 102. Therefore, the following description will mainly focus on the differences from the fire-resistant safety glass window 1 in this embodiment, and will omit descriptions of configurations equivalent to the fire-resistant safety glass window 1.

[0067] The fire-resistant safety glass window 101 mainly comprises a rectangular window frame 102, a fire-resistant safety glass panel 103 fitted to the inner circumference of the window frame 102, and a setting block 104 that supports the lower end of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 103. Furthermore, the fire-resistant safety glass window 101 includes a filler material 105 and fire-resistant silicone 106, etc., which are sealed in the gap between the window frame 102 and the fire-resistant safety glass panel 103 during installation.

[0068] Furthermore, the fire-resistant safety glass panel 103, setting block 104, filler 105, and fire-resistant silicone 106 in this alternative embodiment have substantially the same configuration as the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3, setting block 4, filler 5, and fire-resistant silicone 6 in the previously described embodiment, so their descriptions are omitted.

[0069] The window frame 102 has an upper frame portion (not shown), a pair of side frame portions, and a lower frame portion 122. Furthermore, since the upper frame portion and side frame portion described above have substantially the same configuration as the upper frame portion 21 and side frame portion 23 in the above-described embodiment, a description of them will be omitted.

[0070] The lower frame portion 122 consists of a hollow member with a substantially concave cross-sectional shape extending in one direction, and comprises a lower frame body 122a positioned below the upper frame portion (not shown) with its extension direction being left-right, and a trim strip 122b that is detachably fixed to the lower frame body 122a. Since the trim strip 122b has substantially the same configuration as the trim strip 22b in the embodiment described above, a description of it will be omitted.

[0071] The lower frame body 122a has a first upper surface 122a1, a second upper surface 122a2, and a third upper surface 122a3 located sequentially from one side to the other in the width direction (a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the lower frame body 122a, and in this embodiment, the front-to-back direction), a first inner surface 122a4 connecting the first upper surface 122a1 and the second upper surface 122a2, and a second inner surface 122a5 connecting the third upper surface 122a3 and the second upper surface 122a2. Here, the third upper surface 122a3 is located below the first upper surface 122a3, and the second upper surface 122a2 is located below the first upper surface 122a1 and the third upper surface 122a3.

[0072] Furthermore, the lower frame body 122a has a lower surface 122a6 located below the first upper surface 122a1, the second upper surface 122a2, and the third upper surface 122a3, a first outer surface 122a7 connecting the first upper surface 122a1 and the lower surface 122a6, and a second outer surface 122a8 connecting the third upper surface 122a3 and the lower surface 122a6.

[0073] The above-mentioned second upper surface 122b2 is an example of a bottom surface according to the present invention. Furthermore, the above-mentioned first inner surface 122a4 is an example of the first opposing surface according to the present invention.

[0074] The trim strip 122b is positioned on the third upper surface 122a3 along the extending direction of the lower frame body 122a and is detachably fixed by fastening members such as bolts. In other words, the trim strip 122b has a lower surface 122b1 that contacts the third upper surface 122a3 of the lower frame body 122a. As a result, a rectangular lower frame side groove 122c is formed in the center of the lower frame 122 in the width direction, along the extension direction of the lower frame 22. This groove is composed of a first inner surface 122a4, a second upper surface 122b2, a second inner surface 122a5, and a trim strip 122b (more specifically, one side surface 122b2 of the trim strip 122b facing the first inner surface 122a4). Furthermore, one side surface 122b2 of the trim strip 22b is an example of a second opposing surface according to the present invention.

[0075] In the lower frame side groove portion 122c of the lower frame portion 122, a protruding portion 122d that protrudes upward is provided at the location where the setting block 104 is placed. In a front view, the protruding portion 122d consists of, for example, a portion of the second upper surface 122a2 that is bent upward in a substantially rectangular shape (see Figure 3(a)), and has an upper surface 122d1 on which the setting block 104 is placed, and a pair of side surfaces 122d2·122d2 that extend perpendicularly toward the second upper surface 122a2 from both ends (in this embodiment, both left and right ends) of the lower frame body 122a on the upper surface 122d1.

[0076] Furthermore, it is preferable that the position of the upper surface 122d1 of the protruding portion 122d is set to a position that does not exceed the height of the third upper surface 122a3. For example, in this other embodiment, it is set to a position that is on the same plane as the third upper surface 122a3.

[0077] Furthermore, in the lower frame portion 122, the lower end of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 103 is supported from below by a setting block 104 placed on the protruding portion 122d, and is fitted into the lower frame side groove portion 122c along the extending direction of the lower frame portion 122.

[0078] As described above, the fire-resistant safety glass window 101 in this alternative embodiment is equipped with a setting block 104 that is positioned on the second upper surface (bottom surface) 122a2 of the lower frame body 122a and supports the lower end of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 103. A protruding portion 122d is provided at the position of the setting block 104 on the second upper surface (bottom surface) 122a2, which protrudes toward the fire-resistant safety glass panel 103 side (i.e., upward side).

[0079] With this configuration, according to the fire-resistant safety glass window 101 in this alternative embodiment, for example, on the second upper surface (bottom surface) 122a2 of the lower frame body 122a, a plurality of groove-side discharge holes 124, 124, ... that lead to the outside of the window frame 102 are each provided at positions that avoid the protruding portion 122d. As a result, the liquefied interlayer and gas generated by the fire are efficiently discharged to the outside of the window frame 102 via these groove-side discharge holes 124, 124, ... through the second upper surface (bottom surface) 122a2, which is located at a lower position than the height of the setting block 104, and through these plurality of groove-side discharge holes 124, 124, ... This effectively prevents the fire-resistant safety glass panel 101 from exploding or breaking due to the expansion pressure of the liquefied interlayer and gas.

[0080] [Overall configuration of fire-resistant safety glass window 201 (second alternative embodiment)] Next, the configuration of the fire-resistant safety glass window 201 in a second embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 4(a) and 4(b).

[0081] The fire-resistant glass window 201 in this alternative embodiment, like the fire-resistant glass window 101 in the first alternative embodiment, has a configuration substantially equivalent to the fire-resistant glass window 1 in the aforementioned embodiment, but differs from the fire-resistant glass window 1 in the configuration of the lower frame body 222a in the window frame 202. Therefore, the following description will mainly focus on the differences from the fire-resistant safety glass window 1 in this embodiment, and will omit descriptions of configurations equivalent to the fire-resistant safety glass window 1.

[0082] The fire-resistant safety glass window 201 mainly comprises a rectangular window frame 202, a fire-resistant safety glass panel 203 fitted to the inner circumference of the window frame 202, and a setting block 204 that supports the lower end of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 203. Furthermore, the fire-resistant safety glass window 201 is equipped with a filler material 205 and fire-resistant silicone 206, etc., which are sealed in the gap between the window frame 202 and the fire-resistant safety glass panel 203 during installation.

[0083] Furthermore, the fire-resistant safety glass panel 203, setting block 204, filler 205, and fire-resistant silicone 206 in this alternative embodiment have substantially the same configuration as the fire-resistant safety glass panel 3, setting block 4, filler 5, and fire-resistant silicone 6 in the previously described embodiment, so their descriptions are omitted.

[0084] The window frame 202 has an upper frame portion (not shown), a pair of side frame portions, and a lower frame portion 222. Furthermore, since the upper frame portion and side frame portion described above have substantially the same configuration as the upper frame portion 21 and side frame portion 23 in the above-described embodiment, a description of them will be omitted.

[0085] The lower frame portion 222 consists of a hollow member with a substantially concave cross-sectional shape extending in one direction, and comprises a lower frame body 222a positioned below the upper frame portion (not shown) with its extension direction being left-right, and a trim strip 222b that is detachably fixed to the lower frame body 222a. Since the trim strip 222b has substantially the same configuration as the trim strip 22b in the embodiment described above, a description of it will be omitted.

[0086] The lower frame body 222a has a first upper surface 222a1, a second upper surface 222a2, and a third upper surface 222a3 located sequentially from one side to the other in the width direction (a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the lower frame body 222a, and in this embodiment, the front-to-back direction), a first inner surface 222a4 connecting the first upper surface 222a1 and the second upper surface 222a2, and a second inner surface 222a5 connecting the third upper surface 222a3 and the second upper surface 222a2. Here, the third upper surface 222a3 is located below the first upper surface 222a1, and the second upper surface 222a2 is located below both the first upper surface 222a1 and the third upper surface 222a3.

[0087] Furthermore, the lower frame body 222a has a lower surface 222a6 located below the first upper surface 222a1, the second upper surface 222a2, and the third upper surface 222a3, a first outer surface 222a7 connecting the first upper surface 222a1 and the lower surface 222a6, and a second outer surface 222a8 connecting the third upper surface 222a3 and the lower surface 222a6.

[0088] The above-mentioned second upper surface 222b2 is an example of a bottom surface according to the present invention. Furthermore, the above-mentioned first inner surface 222a4 is an example of the first opposing surface according to the present invention.

[0089] The trim strip 222b is positioned on the third upper surface 222a3 along the extending direction of the lower frame body 222a and is detachably fixed by fastening members such as bolts. In other words, the trim strip 222b has a lower surface 222b1 that contacts the third upper surface 222a3 of the lower frame body 222a. As a result, a rectangular lower frame side groove 222c is formed in the center of the lower frame 222 in the width direction, along the extension direction of the lower frame 222. This groove is composed of a first inner surface 222a4, a second upper surface 222b2, a second inner surface 222a5, and a trim strip 222b (more specifically, one side surface 222b2 of the trim strip 222b that faces the first inner surface 222a4). Furthermore, one side surface 222b2 of the trim strip 222b is an example of a second opposing surface according to the present invention.

[0090] In the lower frame side groove portion 222c of the lower frame portion 222, a protruding portion 222d that protrudes upward is provided at the location where the setting block 204 is placed. The protruding portion 222d, in a front view, consists of, for example, a portion of the second upper surface 222a2 that is bent upward in a substantially trapezoidal shape (see Figure 4(a)), and has an upper surface 222d1 on which the setting block 204 is placed, and a pair of inclined surfaces 222d2·222d2 that extend toward the second upper surface 222a2 from both ends (in this embodiment, both left and right ends) in the extending direction of the lower frame body 222a on the upper surface 222d1, and that gradually move away from the upper surface 222d1 as they move toward the second upper surface 222a2 (i.e., they are inclined in a "V" shape in a front view).

[0091] Furthermore, it is preferable that the position of the upper surface 222d1 of the protruding portion 222d is set to a position that does not exceed the height of the third upper surface 222a3. For example, in this other embodiment, it is set to a position that is on the same plane as the third upper surface 222a3.

[0092] Furthermore, in the lower frame portion 222, the lower end of the fire-resistant safety glass panel 203 is supported from below by a setting block 204 placed on the protruding portion 222d, and is fitted into the lower frame side groove portion 222c along the extending direction of the lower frame portion 222.

[0093] Thus, in the fire-resistant safety glass window 201 of this separate embodiment, the projection 222d provided on the lower frame body 222a has an upper surface 222d1 on which the setting block 204 is placed, and a pair of inclined surfaces 222d2·222d2 that extend from both ends (left and right ends) in the direction of extension of the lower end of the fire-resistant safety glass plate 203 on the upper surface 222d1 (i.e., the direction of extension of the lower frame portion 222) toward the second upper surface (bottom surface) 222a2 of the lower frame portion 222, and that gradually move away from the upper surface 222d1 toward the second upper surface (bottom surface) 222a2.

[0094] With this configuration, according to the fire-resistant safety glass window 201 of this alternative embodiment, the liquefied interlayer generated by the fire is stably guided to the second upper surface (bottom surface) 222a2 of the lower frame body 222a while flowing down the pair of inclined surfaces 222d2·222d2.

[0095] Therefore, for example, if a plurality of groove-side discharge holes 224, 224, ... that lead to the outside of the window frame 202 are provided on the second upper surface (bottom surface) 222a2 of the lower frame body 222a at positions that avoid the protruding portion 222d, the liquefied interfilm can be discharged to the outside of the window frame 202 more reliably through these plurality of groove-side discharge holes 224, 224, ...

[0096] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited in any way to this embodiment, but is merely illustrative, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and further includes the meaning of equivalents as described in the claims, and all modifications within that scope. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1, 101, 201 Fire-resistant safety glass windows 104, 204 Setting Blocks 122d, 222d protrusion 2, 102, 202 window frames 21 Upper frame 22, 122, 222 Lower frame part 222d1 Top surface 222d2 Slope 22a, 122a, 222a Lower frame body 22a2, 122a2, 222a2 2nd top surface (bottom surface) 22a4, 122a4, 222a4 1st inner surface (1st opposing surface) 22b, 122b, 222b rim 22b1, 122b1, 222b1 bottom surface 22b2, 122b2, 222b2 One side (second opposing side) 23 Side frame 3, 103, 203 Fire-resistant safety glass 31. Flat glass 32 Resin interlayer 3a Main surface on one side 3c Main surface on the other side

Claims

1. A rectangular window frame having an upper frame, a lower frame, and a pair of side frame sections, A fire-resistant safety glass window comprising a plurality of glass plates and a resin interlayer interposed between the plurality of glass plates, the fire-resistant safety glass plate fitted along the periphery to the inner circumference of the window frame, The aforementioned lower frame portion is At the lower end of the aforementioned fire-resistant safety glass panel, A lower frame body having a first opposing surface facing the main surface on one side in the thickness direction of the fire-resistant safety glass panel, and a bottom surface facing the end surface of the fire-resistant safety glass panel, It comprises a trim piece having a second opposing surface facing the main surface on the other side in the thickness direction, and a lower surface that contacts the lower frame body, The bottom surface of the lower frame body is located below the bottom surface of the trim, A fire-resistant and safe glass window characterized by the following features.

2. The difference in height between the bottom surface of the lower frame body and the bottom surface of the trim is 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less. A fire-resistant safety glass window according to claim 1, characterized in that...

3. The aforementioned fire-resistant glass window is The lower frame body further comprises a setting block positioned on the bottom surface and supporting the lower end of the fire-resistant safety glass panel, The location where the setting block is positioned on the bottom surface is provided with a protruding portion that extends toward the fire-resistant safety glass panel. A fire-resistant safety glass window according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it is a fire-resistant safety glass window.

4. The aforementioned protrusion is The upper surface on which the setting block is placed, The upper surface has a pair of inclined surfaces that extend from both ends in the extending direction of the lower end of the fire-resistant safety glass plate toward the bottom surface of the lower frame, and that gradually move away from the upper surface toward the bottom surface. A fire-resistant safety glass window according to claim 3, characterized in that it is a fire-resistant safety glass window.

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