A profile and method for mounting a glass panel with such a profile

Abstract

A profile (1, 11) and method for mounting a glass panel (3) in an external construction (4), said profile comprising a frame (2, 12) for holding the glass panel (3), said frame having a central section (6, 16), and on opposite sides of the central section (6, 16) and connected to said central section a first section (7, 17) and a second section (8, 18) that in mounted condition clampingly hold the glass panel (3), wherein the central section (6, 16) comprises at least one attachment lip (26) that is bendable out of a plane of the central section (6, 16) so that it may be moved towards the external construction (4) onto which the attachment lip (26) may be attached in the mounted condition.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a profile for mounting a glass panel in an external construction, said profile comprising a frame for holding the glass panel, said frame having a central section, and on opposite sides of the central section and connected to said central section a first and a second further section that in mounted condition clampingly hold the glass panel.

[0002] This is a construction that is known from practice, and it is an object of the invention to tailor this construction to the requirements that have to be met when the glass panel as mounted in the external construction must be capable to withstand heat and fire.

[0003] It is also an object of the invention to provide the profile with the mounted glass panel an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0004] These and other objects of the invention which may become apparent from the following disclosure, are provided with the features of one or more of the appended claims.

[0005] In a first aspect of the invention the central section of the profile comprises at least one attachment lip that is bendable out of a plane of the central section so that it may be moved towards the external construction onto which the attachment lip may be attached in the mounted condition. It is this construction that enables a close fit of the frame of the profile onto the external construction, thus avoiding as much as possible that leakage may occur in transitional areas between the glass panel and the external construction which would be detrimental to safety requirements, particularly the resistance against heat and fire.

[0006] In a further aspect of the invention the central section comprises two attachment lips that are bendable out of a plane of the central section so that the lips may be moved towards the external construction onto which the attachment lips may be attached in the mounted condition, and a cutout between the attachment lips. The cutout between the attachment lips heavily contributes to the resistance against heat and fire because it prevents the occurrence of a warmth or heat bridge between the opposite sides of the glass panel.

[0007] In view of the above considerations it is preferable that each attachment lip is mounted on a connecting piece in the plane of the central section, wherein each connecting piece connects the first section to the second section of the profile.

[0008] It is preferred that neighboring to the connecting pieces is the cutout between the attachment lips.

[0009] Most preferably there are connecting pieces on opposite sides of each attachment lip that connect the first section to the second section of the profile.

[0010] In yet another aspect of the invention which can be applied separate or in combination with the other features of the invention, the profile has a pre-mounted condition and a mounted condition, wherein in the pre-mounted condition at least one of the first section and the second section is at a blunt angle with respect to the central section of the profile, and that in the mounted condition said at least one of the first section and the second section is at right angles with the central section of the profile. Mounting of the glass panel is particularly aided when the blunt angle is 150°, with a tolerance of 2°. This enables easy placement of the glass panel in the upper and lower profiles that are fixed to the external construction, wherein an optimal resistance against heat and fire can be secured by maximizing the dimensions of the glass profile that fills the space within the profiles to the largest possible extent.

[0011] The ease of mounting is further promoted by the feature that the at least one of the first section and the second section which is at a blunt angle with respect to the central section in the pre-mounted condition of the profile, is connected with the central section with at least two material connections that are separated from each other by an open slit. In this way no specific tools are required when converting the profile from the pre-mounted condition into the mounted condition by turning up the section which initially has the blunt angle with the central section of the profile.

[0012] It is further preferred that in mounted condition a first ceramic strip is provided between the central section of the profile and the external construction, and further ceramic strips are provided on opposite sides of the glass panel between said glass panel and the respective first and second sections that are clamping opposite sides of the glass panel.

[0013] To attain an aesthetically pleasing appearance it is desirable that cover strips are provided onto the respective first and second sections of the profile.

[0014] In order not to compromise the heat and fire resistance of the mounted glass panel, the cover strips are provided with further ceramic strips facing the glass panel.

[0015] To assist the ease of mounting of the glass panel with the profile according to the invention it is desirable that the respective first and second sections of the profile are provided with protrusions that after mounting face corresponding indentations in the cover strips so as to enable clicking of the cover strips onto the respective first and second sections of the profile.

[0016] Further it is desirable that in order to prevent ingress of water insulating kit is provided into transition regions between on the one hand said profile, the cover strips and the glass panel, and on the other hand between the cover strips and the external construction in which the glass panel is placed.

[0017] It has been found possible to meet the high demand objectives of the invention when the profile is of steel and / or the cover strips are of aluminum.

[0018] The invention is also embodied in a method of mounting a glass panel in an external construction, using a profile or profiles according to the invention, wherein the following subsequent steps are applied: a. providing a first profile according to the invention at least onto or in the construction in which the glass panel will be mounted, b. providing a second profile according to the invention having a pre-mounted condition wherein at least one section is at a blunt angle with respect to a central section of this profile, and that such profile is provided at least onto or in the construction in which the glass panel will be mounted, c. moving an upper end of the glass panel into the first profile placed onto or in the construction, d. turning a lower end of the glass panel over the section of the second profile which is in the pre-mounted condition, i.e. wherein said section is at a blunt angle with respect to the central section of said profile, until the lower end of the glass panel is positioned straight above the central section of said profile, e. converting the profile as used in the previous step from the pre-mounted condition into the mounted condition, and f. finishing the mounting of the glass panel in the construction.

[0019] It is further preferable that said finishing of the mounting of the glass panel in the construction comprises placement of cover strips onto the profiles, and in order to prevent ingress of water to provide water insulating kit into transition regions between on the one hand said profiles, the cover strips and the glass panel, and on the other hand between the cover strips and the construction in which the glass panel is mounted.

[0020] The accompanying drawing, which is incorporated into and forms a part of the specification, illustrates one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention. The drawing is only for the purpose of illustrating one or more embodiments of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention.

[0021] In the drawing: figure 1 depicts a glass panel mounted with profiles according to the invention in an external construction; figure 2 and figure 3 show in detail a top profile and a bottle profile, respectively according to the invention; figure 4 shows a step in a method according to the invention for mounting a glass panel; figure 5 shows a further step in the method according to the invention for mounting a glass panel; and figure 6 shows a half-product which will be converted into a bottom profile according to the invention.

[0022] Whenever in the figures the same reference numerals are applied, these numerals refer to the same parts.

[0023] Taking first reference to figure 1, it shows a top profile 1 and a bottom profile 11 for mounting a glass panel 3 in an external construction 4. Figure 2 shows the top profile 1 and figure 3 shows the bottom profile 11 separately. Both profiles 1, 11 comprise a frame 2, 12 for holding the glass panel 3. Each frame 2, 12 has a central section 6, 16, and on opposite sides of the central section 6, 16 and connected to said central section are a first further section 7, 17 and a second further section 8, 18 that in mounted condition are clamping the glass panel 3.

[0024] There is a notable difference in the construction of the top profile 1 and bottom profile 11, which is that the bottom profile 11 has a pre-mounted condition as is shown in figure 3, and a differing mounted condition which is shown in figure 1. The top profile 1 and the bottom profile 11 have a same appearance once the glass panel 3 is mounted, which can be seen in figure 1.

[0025] In the pre-mounted condition of the bottom profile 11 as shown in figure 3 at least one of the first section 17 and the second section 18, in this particular case the second section 18, is arranged at a blunt angle with respect to the central section 16, whereas figure 1 shows that in the mounted condition the concerning second section 18 is at right angles with the central section 16. The blunt angle in the pre-mounted condition is preferably 150°, with a tolerance of 2°.

[0026] This different construction of the top profile 1 and the bottom profile 11 enables a method of mounting the glass panel 3 in an external construction 4 by using these profiles 1, 11 as elucidated in the following with reference to figures 4 and 5. The method employs the following subsequent steps: a. providing a top profile 1 onto or in the construction 4 in which the glass panel 3 will be mounted, b. providing a bottom profile 11 onto or in the construction 4 in which the glass panel 3 will be mounted, wherein the bottom profile 11 is in the pre-mounted condition as shown in fig. 3, c. moving an upper end 3' of the glass panel 3 into the top profile 1 placed onto the construction 4, d. according to arrow A turning a lower end 3'' of the glass panel 3 over the section 18 of the profile 11 which is at that time at a blunt angle with respect to the central section 16 of said profile 11, and continuing this motion until the lower end 3'' of the glass panel 3 is positioned straight above the central section 16 of said profile 11 as depicted in figure 5, e. converting the bottom profile 11 from the pre-mounted condition as depicted in figure 4 into the mounted condition as depicted in figure 5, by upending the section 18 of the profile 11 which is initially at a blunt angle with respect to the central section 16 of said profile 11 into a position in which the section 18 assumes a right angle with respect to the central section 16, f. finishing the mounting of the glass panel 3 in the construction 4.

[0027] Figure 5 shows that said finishing of the mounting of the glass panel 3 in the construction 4 comprises placement of cover strips 19 onto the profiles 1, 11. On the locations 20 in figure 1 water insulating kit is applied in order to prevent ingress of water and to prevent degradation of the ceramic strips that will be mentioned hereinafter. These locations 20 are transition regions between said profiles 1, 11, the cover strips 19 and the glass panel 3 on the one hand, and on the other hand between the cover strips 19 and the construction 4 that in which the glass panel 3 is mounted. The material of the profiles 1, 11 is preferably steel, whereas the material of the cover strips 19 is preferably aluminum.

[0028] In figure 2 and figure 3 it is shown that the respective first sections 7, 17 and second sections 8, 18 of the profiles 1, 11 are provided with protrusions 9, 10 that in the mounted condition will face corresponding indentations 21 in the cover strips 19 so as to enable clicking of the cover strips 19 onto the respective first and second sections of the profiles 1, 11.

[0029] The respective figures 1 - 5 further show that in the mounted condition a first ceramic strip 22 is provided between the central section 6, 16 of the profiles 1, 11 and the external construction 4, and further ceramic strips 23 are provided on opposite sides of the glass panel 3 between said glass panel 3 and the respective first sections 7, 17 and second sections 8, 18 of the profiles 1, 11 that in the mounted condition are clamping to opposite sides of the glass panel 3. It is further shown that the cover strips 19 are also provided with ceramic strips 24 that in the mounted condition will face the glass panel 3.

[0030] Both the top profile 1 and the bottom profile 11 are tied to the construction 4 with a connector 25 which attaches the central section 6, 16 of the profiles 1, 11 to the construction 4 with the ceramic strip 22 clamped in between. The connector 25 uses an attachment lip forming part of the central section 16 of the profiles 1, 11 as will be elucidated hereinafter with reference to figure 6.

[0031] Figure 6 shows schematically the construction of a half-product, to note a plate that will be converted into the eventual bottom profile 11. Although this explanation relates to this bottom profile 11, the following explanation likewise applies to the top profile 1, albeit that the top profile 1 has right angled first and second sections 7, 8.

[0032] In figure 6 it is shown that the central section 16 comprises at least one attachment lip 26 that is bendable out of a plane of the central section 16 so that it may be moved towards the external construction 4 onto which the attachment lip 26 may be attached. This attachment is with the aid of the connector 25 that for that purpose will be hammered through aperture 27 in the attachment lip 26.

[0033] Figure 6 shows that the central section 16 comprises two attachment lips 26 that are bendable out of a plane of the central section 6, 16 so that the lips may be moved towards the external construction 4 onto which the attachment lips 26 may be attached in the mounted condition, and that a cutout 28 is provided between the attachment lips 26. It is further shown that each attachment lip 26 is mounted on a connecting piece 29 in the plane of the central section 16. This connecting piece 29 connects the first section 17 to the second section 18 of the profile 11. In fact, connecting pieces 29 are provided on opposite sides of each attachment lip 26 to connect the first section 17 to the second section 18 of the profile 11. It is clear from figure 6 that neighboring to such connecting pieces 29 is the cutout 28 that is provided between the attachment lips 26.

[0034] Particularly concerning bottom profile 11, figure 6 shows that the second section 18 which in the pre-mounted condition will be placed at a blunt angle with respect to the central section 16, is connected with the central section 16 with at least two material connections 30 that are separated from each other by an open slit 31.

[0035] Although the invention has been discussed in the foregoing with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the invention is not restricted to this particular embodiment which can be varied in many ways without departing from the invention.

[0036] The discussed exemplary embodiment shall therefore not be used to construe the appended claims strictly in accordance therewith. On the contrary the embodiment is merely intended to explain the wording of the appended claims without intent to limit the claim to this exemplary embodiment. The scope of protection of the invention shall therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims only, wherein a possible ambiguity in the wording of the claims shall be resolved using this exemplary embodiment.

[0037] Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference. Unless specifically stated as being "essential" above, none of the various components or the interrelationship thereof are essential to the operation of the invention. Rather, desirable results can be achieved by substituting various components and / or reconfiguration of their relationships with one another.

[0038] Aspects of the invention are itemized in the following section. 1. A profile (1, 11) for mounting a glass panel (3) in an external construction (4), said profile comprising a frame (2, 12) for holding the glass panel (3), said frame having a central section (6, 16), and on opposite sides of the central section (6, 16) and connected to said central section a first section (7, 17) and a second section (8, 18) that in mounted condition clampingly hold the glass panel (3), characterized in that the central section (6, 16) comprises at least one attachment lip (26) that is bendable out of a plane of the central section (6, 16) so that it may be moved towards the external construction (4) onto which the attachment lip (26) may be attached in the mounted condition. 2. The profile according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to claim 1, characterized in that the central section (6, 16) comprises two attachment lips that are bendable out of a plane of the central section (6, 16) so that the lips may be moved towards the external construction (4) onto which the attachment lips (26) may be attached in the mounted condition, and a cutout (28) between the attachment lips (26). 3. The profile according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each attachment lip (26) is mounted on a connecting piece (29) in the plane of the central section (6, 16), wherein each connecting piece (29) connects the first section (7, 17) to the second section (8, 18) of the profile (1, 11). 4. The profile according to claim 2 and 3, characterized in that neighboring to the connecting pieces (29) is the cutout (28) between the attachment lips (26). 5. The profile according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that there are connecting pieces (29) on opposite sides of each attachment lip (26) that connect the first section (7, 17) to the second section (8, 18) of the profile (1, 11). 6. The profile according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the profile (11) has a pre-mounted condition and a mounted condition, wherein in the pre-mounted condition at least one of the first section (17) and the second section (18) is at a blunt angle with respect to the central section (16), and that in the mounted condition said at least one of the first section (17) and the second section (18) is at right angles with the central section (16). 7. The profile according to claim 6, characterized in that the blunt angle is 150°, with a tolerance of 2°. 8. The profile according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the at least one of the first section (17) and the second section (18) which is at a blunt angle with respect to the central section (16) in the pre-mounted condition, is connected with the central section (16) with at least two material connections (30) that are separated from each other by an open slit (31). 9. The profile according to any one of claims 1-8, as part of a system, characterized in that in the mounted condition of the profile (1, 11) as part of said system a first ceramic strip (22) is provided between the central section (6, 16) of the profile (1, 11) and the external construction (4), and further ceramic strips (23) are provided on opposite sides of the glass panel (3) between said glass panel (3) and the respective first section (7, 17) and second section (8, 18) that clamp the glass panel (3) on opposite sides. 10. The profile according to claim 9, characterized in that cover strips (19) are provided onto the respective first section (7, 17) and second section (8, 18) of the profile (1, 11). 11. The profile according to claim 10, characterized in that the cover strips (19) are provided with further ceramic strips (24) facing the glass panel (3). 12. The profile according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the respective first section (7, 17) and second section (8, 18) of the profile (1, 11) are provided with protrusions (9, 10) facing corresponding indentations (21) in the cover strips (19) so as to enable clicking of the cover strips (19) onto the respective first section (7, 17) and second section (8, 18) of the profile (1). 13. The profile according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that in order to prevent ingress of water insulating kit (20) is provided into transition regions between said profile (1, 11) and cover strips (19) and the glass panel (3) on the one hand, and on the other hand between the cover strips (19) and the external construction (4) that has received the glass panel (3). 14. The profile according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the profile (1, 11) is of steel and / or the cover strips (19) are of aluminum. 15. Method of mounting a glass panel (3) in an external construction (4) in which the glass panel will be mounted using a profile or profiles (1, 11), characterized by the following subsequent steps: a. providing a profile (1) according to any one of claims 1-14 at least onto or in the construction (4) in which the glass panel (3) will be mounted, b. providing a profile (11) according to any one of claims 6-14 at least onto or in in the construction (4) in which the glass panel (3) will be mounted, wherein the profile is in the pre-mounted condition, c. moving an upper end (3') of the glass panel (3) into the profile (1) placed onto or in the construction (4), d. turning a lower end (3") of the glass panel (3) over the section (18) of the profile (11) according to any one of claims 6-14, which is at a blunt angle with respect to the central section (16) of said profile (11), until the lower end (3'') of the glass panel (3) is positioned straight above the central section (16) of said profile (11), e. converting the profile (11) according to any one of claims 6-14 from the pre-mounted condition into the mounted condition, f. finishing the mounting of the glass panel (3) in the construction (4). 16. Method according to claim 15, characterized by said finishing of the mounting of the glass panel (3) in the construction (4) comprises placement of cover strips (19) onto the profiles (1, 11), and in order to prevent ingress of water providing water insulating kit (20) into transition regions between said profiles (1, 11) and cover strips (19) and the glass panel (3) on the one hand, and on the other hand between the cover strips (19) and the construction (4) that has received the glass panel (3).

Claims

1. A profile (1, 11) for mounting a glass panel (3) in an external construction (4), said profile comprising a frame (2, 12) for holding the glass panel (3), said frame having a central section (6, 16), and on opposite sides of the central section (6, 16) and connected to said central section a first section (7, 17) and a second section (8, 18) that in mounted condition clampingly hold the glass panel (3), characterized in that the profile (11) has a pre-mounted condition and a mounted condition, wherein in the pre-mounted condition at least one of the first section (17) and the second section (18) is at a blunt angle with respect to the central section (16), and that in the mounted condition said at least one of the first section (17) and the second section (18) is at right angles with the central section (16).

2. The profile according to claim 1, characterized in that the blunt angle is 150°, with a tolerance of 2°.

3. The profile according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one of the first section (17) and the second section (18) which is at a blunt angle with respect to the central section (16) in the pre-mounted condition, is connected with the central section (16) with at least two material connections (30) that are separated from each other by an open slit (31).

4. The profile according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to claim 1, characterized in that the central section (6, 16) comprises at least one attachment lip (26) that is bendable out of a plane of the central section (6, 16) so that it may be moved towards the external construction (4) onto which the attachment lip (26) may be attached in the mounted condition.

5. The profile according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to claim 1, characterized in that the central section (6, 16) comprises two attachment lips that are bendable out of a plane of the central section (6, 16) so that the lips may be moved towards the external construction (4) onto which the attachment lips (26) may be attached in the mounted condition, and a cutout (28) between the attachment lips (26).

6. The profile according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that each attachment lip (26) is mounted on a connecting piece (29) in the plane of the central section (6, 16), wherein each connecting piece (29) connects the first section (7, 17) to the second section (8, 18) of the profile (1, 11).

7. The profile according to claim 5 and 6, characterized in that neighboring to the connecting pieces (29) is the cutout (28) between the attachment lips (26).

8. The profile according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that there are connecting pieces (29) on opposite sides of each attachment lip (26) that connect the first section (7, 17) to the second section (8, 18) of the profile (1, 11).

9. The profile according to any one of claims 1-8, as part of a system, characterized in that in the mounted condition of the profile (1, 11) as part of said system, a first ceramic strip (22) is provided between the central section (6, 16) of the profile (1, 11) and the external construction (4), and further ceramic strips (23) are provided on opposite sides of the glass panel (3) between said glass panel (3) and the respective first section (7, 17) and second section (8, 18) that clamp the glass panel (3) on opposite sides.

10. The profile according to claim 9, characterized in that cover strips (19) are provided onto the respective first section (7, 17) and second section (8, 18) of the profile (1, 11).

11. The profile according to claim 10, characterized in that the cover strips (19) are provided with further ceramic strips (24) facing the glass panel (3).

12. The profile according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the respective first section (7, 17) and second section (8, 18) of the profile (1, 11) are provided with protrusions (9, 10) facing corresponding indentations (21) in the cover strips (19) so as to enable clicking of the cover strips (19) onto the respective first section (7, 17) and second section (8, 18) of the profile (1).

13. The profile according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that in order to prevent ingress of water insulating kit (20) is provided into transition regions between said profile (1, 11) and cover strips (19) and the glass panel (3) on the one hand, and on the other hand between the cover strips (19) and the external construction (4) that has received the glass panel (3).

14. The profile according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the profile (1, 11) is of steel and / or the cover strips (19) are of aluminum.

15. Method of mounting a glass panel (3) in an external construction (4) in which the glass panel will be mounted using a profile or profiles (1, 11), characterized by the following subsequent steps: a. providing a profile (1) according to any one of claims 1-14 at least onto or in the construction (4) in which the glass panel (3) will be mounted, b. providing a profile (11) according to any one of claims 6-14 at least onto or in in the construction (4) in which the glass panel (3) will be mounted, wherein the profile is in the pre-mounted condition, c. moving an upper end (3') of the glass panel (3) into the profile (1) placed onto or in the construction (4), d. turning a lower end (3") of the glass panel (3) over the section (18) of the profile (11) according to any one of claims 6-14, which is at a blunt angle with respect to the central section (16) of said profile (11), until the lower end (3'') of the glass panel (3) is positioned straight above the central section (16) of said profile (11), e. converting the profile (11) according to any one of claims 6-14 from the pre-mounted condition into the mounted condition, f. finishing the mounting of the glass panel (3) in the construction (4).

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized by said finishing of the mounting of the glass panel (3) in the construction (4) comprises placement of cover strips (19) onto the profiles (1, 11), and in order to prevent ingress of water providing water insulating kit (20) into transition regions between said profiles (1, 11) and cover strips (19) and the glass panel (3) on the one hand, and on the other hand between the cover strips (19) and the construction (4) that has received the glass panel (3).

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