Fastening system of a parapet or the like to a building structure equipped with an outer thermal insulation coating

Abstract

The object of the present invention is a fastening system (1) for connecting one or more panels (2) to an installation structure (4), which provides for the application of at least a panelling of a thermal insulation coating (5), so as to define technical protection and / or delimitation and / or containment structures. Said fastening system (1) comprises at least a pair of load-bearing profiles (3) capable of accommodating and retaining at least an edge / portion (20) of said one or more panels (2) and a pair of connection devices (6) adapted to constrain said load-bearing profiles (3) to said installation structure (4). Said connection devices (6) perform the dual function of fixing said load-bearing profiles (3) on a face (50) of said panelling of the thermal insulation coating (5) and of fixing said panelling of the thermal insulation coating (5), possibly equipped with said load-bearing profiles 3, to said installation structure (4).

Description

[0001] The object of the present invention is a fastening system for connecting one or more panels to an installation structure so as to define technical protection and / or delimitation and / or furnishing structures, such as, by way of a non-limiting example, parapets, railings, balustrades, fences, glass windows and the like. More in detail, the present invention refers to a fastening system of sheet-like elements, preferably made of glass or the like, of different thicknesses, to an installation structure, equipped with an outer thermal insulation coating, so as to define a delimitation or containment structure for people, animals and / or things, such as for example a French balcony or a generic parapet.

[0002] Normally, said installation structure may consist of a building component such as windows, French windows, terraces, balconies, or the like.

[0003] Therefore, the invention preferably falls within the building field, for example, without any limiting intent, in the architecture sector.

[0004] A parapet placed to protect the space of a window or French window, or similar element, obtained in a building structure is known by the generic term of "French balcony".

[0005] In addition to having a purely protective function, the French balcony also takes on an architectural and aesthetic value and allows the use of full-height windows and large sliding glass doors in order to exploit the maximum brightness and space inside the room while still ensuring the protection and safety of people, animals or things, avoiding falls.

[0006] In their most classic form, French balconies are often associated with iron parapets or sheet-like parapets made of glass, polycarbonate, plastic materials or the like.

[0007] It is also known that increasingly stringent national and supranational environmental regulations are progressively imposing building redevelopment works, generally aimed at making buildings more energy efficient.

[0008] Among the most effective tools for improving the energy performance of a building, there is the outer coating insulation (hereinafter referred to as "thermal insulation coating"), consisting of a thermal insulation system adapted to guarantee optimal thermal insulation, a reduction in heat loss and a substantial insulation from the heat and / or cold.

[0009] While allowing an aesthetic revaluation of the building and an efficiency raising thereof, the use of the thermal insulation coating is not free from drawbacks, many of which have not yet been fully resolved.

[0010] The thermal insulation coating consists of applying to the walls of a building, generally the outer ones, a layer of insulating material in the form of panellings of various shapes, sizes and thicknesses, appropriately chosen based on their mechanical resistance and / or thermal inertia and / or breathability and / or water resistance.

[0011] Among the most commonly used insulating panellings there are, for example, those in polystyrene, polyurethane, rock wool, glass wool, wood fibre and cork.

[0012] It is known that drilling a thermal coating to fix a load, such as, for example, a parapet, a railing, a balustrade, anti-fall systems and / or fixtures and windows, would create a vulnerability and surface discontinuity thereof, exposing it more to the risk of thermal bridges with a consequent degradation of the general energy performance and formation of moulds, condensation and humidity on the outer and / or inner walls of the building.

[0013] It is also known that said insulating panellings of a thermal insulation coating, due to the structural and mechanical characteristics thereof, partly deriving from the types of material normally used for their construction, may have load-bearing capacity values not adequate or sufficient to support the loads to be installed on the walls of a building.

[0014] Furthermore, while insulating the perimeter walls of a building is "fairly" simple, the insulation of some zones, such as, for example, the wall compartments that define the housing seat of doors, windows, large windows or similar fixtures is more critical.

[0015] It often happens, therefore, to find thermal insulation coatings that are not correctly "turned" and applied on the shoulders of said wall compartments and / or on the related thresholds, architraves or windowsills, thus increasing the risk of formation of thermal bridges; this in fact creates zones of thermal discontinuity, where the warmer and more humid air finds and touches colder surfaces, condensing. EP3315679B1 discloses a connecting system for heat-insulated facades of buildings.

[0016] The object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art listed above, by designing a fastening system to connect to an installation structure, which provides for the application of a thermal insulation coating, a technical protection and / or delimitation and / or furnishing structure, which is able to reduce and / or eliminate the risk of thermal bridges.

[0017] A further object of the present invention, at least for one or more executive embodiments, is to provide a fastening system to connect to an installation structure, which provides for the application of a thermal insulation coating, a technical protection and / or delimitation and / or furnishing structure, capable of transferring the loads applied to the thermal coating to the underlying installation structure.

[0018] A further object of the present invention, at least for one or more executive embodiments, is to provide a fastening system to connect rapidly and easily to an installation structure, which provides for the application of a thermal insulation coating, a technical protection and / or delimitation and / or furnishing structure.

[0019] These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the invention, with the features listed in the annexed independent claim 1.

[0020] Further features of the present invention shall be better highlighted by the following description of a preferred embodiment, according to the patent claims and illustrated, purely by way of a non-limiting example, in the accompanying drawing tables, wherein: Figures 1a and 1b respectively show a front and top section view of a technical protection and / or delimitation and / or furnishing structure fixed to a building structure using the fastening system of the invention; Figures 2a and 2b respectively show two section views A-A and B-B of the technical protection and / or delimitation and / or furnishing structure of Figure 1a-1b; Figures 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d show, in multiple axonometric views, the fastening system of the invention of a technical protection and / or delimitation and / or furnishing structure to an installation structure; Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the fastening system of Figure 3a-3d; Figure 5 shows a section view of the technical protection and / or delimitation and / or furnishing structure of Figure 1a-1b in association with known window frames.

[0021] The elements of the apparatus according to the invention are now described using the references contained in the annexed figures. It should be noted, also, that any dimensional and spatial term (such as "lower", "upper", "inner", "outer", "front", "rear", "vertical", "horizontal" and the like) refers, unless otherwise indicated, to the position according to which the object of the invention is shown in the drawings, which does not necessarily coincide with the position of the same in operating conditions.

[0022] To highlight some features instead of others, not necessarily what is described in the annexed drawings is perfectly to scale.

[0023] The term "parapet", without any limiting intent, hereinafter is to be understood as any type of infrastructure, of any material and shape, adapted to define a protection and / or delimiting and / or containment structure for people and / or animals and / or things, e.g, French balconies, balustrades, railings, anti-fall barriers or similar architectural elements.

[0024] Without any limiting intent, for descriptive simplicity, hereinafter the term "panel" is to be understood as any structural element, being it functional or aesthetic of a substantially plate shape adapted to define said parapet, such as for example panellings, sheets, polycarbonate sheets, glass or wood sheets, etc.

[0025] In general, "installation structure" of the parapet is to be understood as a generic building component for which protection from possible falls may be required in particular conditions of use, for example when the window frame is open; for the purposes of the invention, said building structure may preferably consist of a wall compartment or a similar opening for the installation of fixtures / window frames, such as windows, full-height windows, French windows or the like. Without any limiting intent, during the present description, reference shall be made mainly to the installation of a parapet on the facade of an installation structure in proximity to the wall compartment intended to accommodate a window frame, said installation method, which is therefore among the preferred ones, being herein referred to as "installation on the facade".

[0026] Obviously, nothing prevents the possibility of providing an alternative installation method (not explicitly shown), indicated as "installation on the shoulder", according to which the parapet is fixed directly or indirectly to the shoulder of the aforementioned wall compartment.

[0027] For the purposes of the invention, reference shall also be made to an installation building structure that provides for the application of an outer insulation coating, also known as "thermal insulation coating".

[0028] In the accompanying figures, 1 indicates, as a whole, the fastening system of one or more panels 2 to an installation structure 4, in particular to a wall compartment 40 thereof, so as to define a parapet.

[0029] More precisely, said fastening system 1 comprises: at least one pair of load-bearing profiles 3, each capable of receiving and retaining at least one edge / portion 20 of one or more of said panels 2, and at least one pair of connection devices 6, each capable of constraining, in the ways that will be detailed, the corresponding load-bearing profile 3 to said installation structure 4.

[0030] Without any limiting intent, each load-bearing profile 3 may be made of any suitable metal alloy, generally aluminium alloys, but nothing prevents, if the structural needs allow it, that it be made of another material, e.g. wood or PVC or the like.

[0031] Each load-bearing profile 3 may also have a substantially "U"-shaped section with a base 30 integral to a first 31 and second 32 wing, opposite and substantially parallel to each other.

[0032] Between said wings 31, 32 and the base 30, a cavity 33 is thus defined which acts as a seat for at least said edge / portion 20 of the panel 2, panel 2 which extends / projects outwards for the remaining part thereof.

[0033] On the base 30 of each load-bearing profile 3 at least one through hole 34 is also provided, through which, in the ways that shall be described below, the connection and anchoring thereof to the installation structure 4 is achieved. Since it is not the actual object of the invention and since they are available in a wide range of types, the description of the regulation and locking means of the panel 2 inserted inside the cavity 33 thereof of each load-bearing profile is omitted, as well as of any additional accessories, such as gaskets, aesthetic casings, lighting devices (LED), etc.,

[0034] In general, it is in fact possible to provide for the use of the load-bearing profile 3 most suitable for the purposes such as, for example, one of those object of previous patents and / or patent applications in the name of the same Applicant. As it will be seen in more detail in the description, the aforementioned connection devices 6 are designed to cooperate also with the panellings 5 that define the thermal insulation coating to be applied to the installation structure 4. Each connection device 6 is therefore of the type capable of carrying out a dual and simultaneous function, in particular that of: connecting the load-bearing profile 3 to a face 50, generally the outer one, of the panelling of the thermal insulation coating 5 ("outer face" means the aesthetic finishing surface that remains visible after the installation), fixing said panelling of the thermal insulation coating 5, possibly equipped with the load-bearing profile 3, to the installation building structure 4.

[0035] More precisely, said connection device 6: acts as an assembly and tightening system of said load-bearing profile 3 to a panelling of the thermal insulation coating 5, i.e. it provides an abutment surface whereon said elements, in the ways that shall be described shortly, may be simultaneously constrained, and, at the same time, allows the installation and fixing of the "load-bearing profile 3 - thermal insulation coating 5" group, thus made, to the installation structure 4.

[0036] For such purpose, each connection device 6 may comprise at least: a plate-shaped element 60, referred to as "plate 60", with a substantially vertical development and preferably rectangular geometry, which is suitably housed in a special seat 52 arranged or obtained in the panelling of the thermal insulation coating 5, indicated as "coupling seat 52", a plurality of sleeves 61 (or similar / equivalent solutions) suitably obtained or fixed on said plate 60 and arranged adjacent one over the other along the vertical development thereof, spaced from each other preferably at regular intervals, said sleeves 61 being projecting and protruding from a face 600 of the plate 60 one or more clamping assemblies 62, adapted to achieve the mutual and firm coupling and locking between each of said load-bearing profiles 3 and said panelling of the thermal insulation coating 5.

[0037] By an executive embodiment of the invention, each clamping assembly 62 may comprise, without any limiting intent, at least: a substantially cylindrical geometry threaded hollow rod 63, comprising: an outer thread capable of cooperating with the inner thread of a sleeve 61 in which said threaded rod 63 is screwed passing therethrough, said threaded rod 63 and said sleeve 61 being communicating and coupling with each other by means of an opening 602 on the plate 60, also passing therethrough, generally a hole or a slot 602, an inner thread capable of cooperating with a bolt or screw 64, or similar / equivalent component, inserted into the through hole 34 of the base 30 of the load-bearing profile 3, the aforementioned threaded bolt or screw 64, possibly equipped with a relative washer 65, the threaded stem 640 whereof may be tightened on the inner thread of said hollow rod 63, in particular at a first end 630 thereof.

[0038] In the case of "installation on the facade", which is the preferred installation method, each clamping assembly 62, may further provide, as shown in Figure 2a, 2b and / or 4, a locking means 66 of at least said threaded hollow rod 63 inside said sleeve 61, said locking means 66 comprising at least: a nut or bushing 660 (or similar components) capable of being tightened on the outer thread of said hollow rod 63, in particular at a second end 631 thereof, opposite to the first 630 and sufficiently protruding from the face 601 of the plate 60, an optional washer 661 for said nut or bushing 660.

[0039] Furthermore, according to such installation method, the connection device 6 may comprise at least one anchoring bracket 7 capable of anchoring said plate 60, possibly already comprising the thermal insulation coating 5 and one or more load-bearing profiles 3, to the facade part 41 of the installation structure 4 which is located in substantial proximity to the wall compartment 40.

[0040] For such purpose, said at least one anchoring bracket 7 may take an L-shape, or the like, that is, provide a first 70 and second 71 tab, substantially orthogonal to each other, capable of cooperating and constraining, respectively, to the facade 41 of the building structure 4 and to the plate 60 of the connection device 6.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4 and / or 2a-2b, on the first tab 70 there is therefore at least a first opening 72, preferably a slot, adapted to allow the insertion and passage of first fastening means 73 to the installation structure 4, such as, for example, bolts, screws, plugs, as well as threaded pins or log bolts, possibly equipped with relative nuts 74 and / or washers, or any other device suitable for being tightened and locked in special and corresponding holes made by drilling on said installation structure 4.

[0042] Similarly, on the second tab 71 at least a second opening 75 is obtained, preferably a pair of second openings 75, for the passage of second fastening means 76 to the plate 60.

[0043] In the accompanying figures, said second fastening means 76 may comprise, without any limiting intent, at least one bolt 77, preferably a pair of bolts 77, possibly equipped with a washer 78, the threaded stems 770 whereof are capable of passing through the relative openings 75 of the anchoring bracket 7 to cooperate and tighten on a corresponding hole 67 of the face 601 of the plate 60. It should also be noted that the fastening system 1 may provide for a plurality of said anchoring brackets 7, preferably at least two brackets 7, one placed at or in proximity to the upper end of the plate 60, the other at or in proximity to the lower end.

[0044] Generally, the number of anchoring brackets 7 may depend on the vertical development, dimensions and weight of the panels 2, forming the parapet, to be supported and on the type of stresses that the same parapet is then intended to withstand when installed and in operation.

[0045] In Figure 3, for example, three anchoring brackets 7 are shown, the third being placed and constrained, in the ways seen above, between the two sleeves 61 closer to the upper end of the plate 60.

[0046] For clarity, it is reiterated that, during the installation of a parapet, plate 60 of the aforementioned connection device 6 is housed, preferably over the entire height / length thereof, inside the coupling seat 52 of a panelling of the thermal insulation coating 5, while the related sleeves 61 are substantially "buried" and / or inserted inside the thickness of the same thermal insulation coating 5.

[0047] In such a way, each sleeve 61 is designed to receive therein the threaded hollow rod 63 on the two opposite ends whereof, as seen, the tightening is carried out, respectively, of the bolt 64 insertable in the through hole 34 of the base 30 of the load-bearing profile 3 and of the aforementioned possible locking means 66, so as to define a "load-bearing profile 3 - thermal insulation coating 5" group.

[0048] Said group may therefore be easily and quickly constrainable, as a single piece, directly to the installation structure 4, in the ways seen above, by means of the aforementioned one or more anchoring brackets 7.

[0049] It should also be noted that all the aforementioned elements defining the fastening system 1 of the invention may be supplied as an installation kit.

[0050] For completeness of description, in Figure 5 a specific application is shown, by means of the fastening system 1 of the invention, of one or more panels 2 to an installation structure 4 so as to define a parapet.

[0051] In particular, the installation of a parapet (or French balcony) is shown in a wall compartment 40 of a building structure intended to house a window frame 8, for example a window or large window.

[0052] The following are therefore shown of said application: a pair of load-bearing profiles 3 intended to house the edges / lateral portions 20 of a panel 2 that defines the parapet, said load-bearing profiles 3 being equipped with relative (and known) means 35 for adjusting the inclination and locking said panel 2, a pair of panellings 5 defining the thermal insulation coating of at least the shoulders 42, facing and opposite each other, of the wall compartment 40, and whereon a corresponding load-bearing profile 3 is fastened, via the connection device 6 of the invention; the aforementioned connection device 6 and, a "facade installation" method being shown, the relative anchoring brackets 7 to the building structure 4, whereon dedicated holes 43 for the fastening means 73 are made by drilling.

[0053] As clearly shown in Figure 5, for installation needs, on said panellings 5 of the thermal insulation coating for the shoulders 42 of the wall compartment 40, in addition to the coupling seat 52 of the plate 60 of the connection device 6 of the invention, described above, further seats may also be made or obtained, for example for the assembly of the profiles and frames / counterframes 80 of the windows 8, and / or for the guides 81 of shutters or similar elements.

[0054] Further thermal insulation coatings 5' may be provided and installed to cover the facade 41 of the installation structure 4, also incorporating the various elements / parts of the aforementioned anchoring brackets 7.

[0055] It is clear that several embodiments of the fastening system 1 described above are possible to the man skilled in the art, without departing from the novelty scopes of the inventive idea, as well as it is clear that in the practical embodiment of the invention the various equipment previously described may be replaced with technically equivalent elements.

[0056] For example, the connection device 6, described above, may also be suitable, with small adaptations within the reach of a man skilled in the art, for a method of installing a parapet alternative to the "facade" one, herein known as "shoulder installation" (variant not shown).

[0057] In this case, it may be sufficient to provide that the aforementioned threaded rod 63 is appropriately chosen and sized (e.g. in length) to be able to be inserted and tightened directly inside a hole made by drilling on the shoulder 42 of a wall compartment 40 intended to accommodate a window frame, and preferably arranged with expansion plugs or similar means.

[0058] By such a possible installation embodiment, the use of the aforementioned locking means 66 may be superfluous, as well as the use of the anchoring brackets 7.

[0059] It should also be noted that for fastening the connection device 6 of the invention to the shoulder 42 of the wall compartment 40, the holes 67 of the plate 60, previously described, may be advantageously used, as an alternative or in combination with the aforementioned threaded rod 63, through which further fixing screws (not shown) capable of operating on as many holes 43 of the shoulder 42, appropriately made and provided with plugs.

[0060] The fastening system 1 according to the present invention therefore allows the intended purposes to be fully achieved.

[0061] In particular, said fastening system 1 allows a technical structure for the protection and / or delimitation and / or furnishing to be installed on a building structure, which provides for the application of a thermal insulation coating, for example a parapet or French balcony, reducing, or even eliminating, the risk of formation of thermal bridges.

[0062] Furthermore, said fastening system 1 provides the thermal insulation coating 5 with sufficient load-bearing capacity to safely support the loads applied thereto, for example, the same parapet or a window frame / fixture. The fastening system 1 of the invention in fact allows transferring the stresses and weight of said parapet and / or window frame / fixture to the underlying masonry.

[0063] Finally, the fastening system 1 of the invention allows ensuring in one go both the easy, quick and safe installation of the parapet, to an installation building structure, as well as a correct insulation of those parts of said building structure that are difficult to reach with the thermal insulation coating, such as, as seen, the side shoulders of the wall compartments for windows, large windows, doors or similar window frames / fixtures.

Claims

1. Fastening system (1) of one or more panels (2) to an installation structure (4), which provides for the application of at least a panelling of a thermal insulation coating (5), so as to define technical protection and / or delimitation and / or containment structures, comprising at least: - a pair of load-bearing profiles (3), each capable of receiving and holding at least an edge / portion (20) of said one or more panels (2), said load-bearing profiles (3) having a substantially U-shaped section with a base (30) integral to a first (31) and second (32) wing opposite and substantially parallel to each other, - a pair of connecting devices (6), each one adapted to constrain each load-bearing profile (3) to said installation structure (4), wherein said connection devices (6) comprise at least: - a substantially vertical development plate-shaped element (60) capable of being housed in a coupling seat (52) of said panelling of the thermal insulation coating (5), - one or more clamping assemblies (62) capable of realising the mutual coupling between each of said load-bearing profiles (3) and said panelling of the thermal insulation coating (5), said connection devices (6) carrying out the dual function of: - fixing said load-bearing profiles (3) on one face (50) of said panelling of the thermal insulation coating (5), - fixing said panelling of the thermal insulation coating (5), possibly equipped with said load-bearing profiles (3), to said installation structure (4), and characterized in that said connection devices further comprise a plurality of sleeves (61) obtained or fixed on said plate-shaped element (60), arranged adjacent one above the other, along the vertical development thereof, said sleeves (61) being projecting and protruding from a face (600) of said plate-shaped element (60) so as to be, in use, substantially "buried" in the thickness of said panelling of the thermal insulation coating (5).

2. Fastening system (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that each of said clamping assemblies (62) comprises at least: - a substantially cylindrical geometry threaded hollow rod (63), comprising: - an outer thread capable of cooperating with the inner thread of a sleeve (61) wherein said threaded hollow rod (63) is inserted, said threaded hollow rod (63) and said sleeve (61) being communicating and coupling with each other by means of an opening (602) of said plate-shaped element (60), - an inner thread capable of cooperating with a bolt or screw (64) or similar component, inserted into the through hole (34) of the aforementioned base (30) of a load-bearing profile (3), - said bolt or screw (64), or similar component, the threaded stem (640) thereof may be tightened onto said inner thread of said threaded hollow rod (63) at one of the first end (630) thereof.

3. Fastening system (1) according to the previous claim, characterised in that each of said clamping assemblies (62) further comprises a locking means (66) of at least said threaded hollow rod (63) in said sleeve (61) comprising at least: - a nut or bushing (66) capable of being tightened on the outer thread of said threaded hollow rod (63) at a second end (631), opposite to the first end (630), and sufficiently protruding from a face (601) of said plate-shaped element (60), - a possible washer (661) for said nut or bushing (66).

4. Fastening system (1) according to any previous claim, characterised in that it further comprises at least an anchoring bracket (7) capable of anchoring said plate-shaped element (60) to said installation structure (4), possibly already comprising said panelling of the thermal insulation coating (5) and related one or more load-bearing profiles (3).

5. Fastening system (1) according to the previous claim, characterised in that said anchoring bracket (7) comprises a first (70) and second (71) tab, orthogonal to each other, capable of cooperating and constraining respectively to said installation structure (4) and to said plate-shaped element (60).

6. Fastening system (1) according to the previous claim, characterised in that at least a first opening (72) is provided on said first tab (70) of said anchoring bracket (7), adapted to enable the insertion and the passage of first fastening means (73) to said installation structure (4), while at least a second opening (75) for the passage of second fastening means (76) to said plate-shaped element (60) of said anchoring bracket (7) is obtained on said second tab (71).

7. Fastening system (1) according to the previous claim, characterised in that: - said first fastening means (73) comprise bolts, screws, plugs, threaded pins or log bolts or the like, possibly equipped with relative nuts (74) and / or washers, capable of being tightened and blocked in special holes of said installation structure (4); - said second fastening means (76) comprise at least a bolt (77), possibly equipped with a washer (78), the threaded stem (770) thereof are capable of passing through said relative second openings (75) of said anchoring bracket (7) to cooperate with a corresponding hole (67) of said face (601) of the plate-shaped element (60).

8. Fastening system (1) according to any previous claim, characterised in that it enables a "facade installation" of said one or more panels (2) adapted to define, in a wall compartment (40) of said installation structure (4), technical protection and / or delimitation and / or containment structures, such as parapets, French balconies, balustrades, railings, anti-fall barriers or similar architectural elements.

9. Fastening system (1) according to any previous claim 1 to 3, characterised in that it enables a "shoulder installation" of said one or more panels (2) adapted to define, in a wall compartment (40) of said installation structure (4), technical protection and / or delimitation and / or containment structures, such as parapets, French balconies, balustrades, railings, anti-fall barriers or similar architectural elements.

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