Glazed panel

Abstract

A glazed panel (1) comprises a rectangular support frame (2) having an opening (3) with a peripheral rebate (4) for reception of an associated glass panel (5). An endless edge seal (6) is mounted within the rebate (4) and engages with an inner peripheral edge (7) of the glass panel (5) to seal the glass panel (5) within the rebate (4). The endless edge seal (6) comprises a flexible sealant material, and preferably comprises a modified silane polymer material.

Description

Introduction

[0001] The invention relates to glazed panels and to a method for assembling glazed panels.Background of the Invention

[0002] The invention is particularly concerned with glazed panels, partitions or screens and the like which, hereinafter, will be referred to as glazed panels. The invention is particularly concerned with glazed panels which are assembled in situ within a building, and more particularly glazed panels with improved sound insulation properties. These glazed panels typically comprise a generally rectangular support framework defining an opening with a peripheral rebate for reception of an associated glass panel. An edge seal is mounted within the rebate and engaged with a peripheral edge of the glass panel to seal the glass panel within the opening. However, and particularly with older buildings, where the glazed panel is mounted, the floor and ceiling may not be exactly horizontal and the walls between which the framework is mounted may not be exactly vertical. So, when the framework is assembled in position, the gap between the framework and the glass panel, when it is mounted in the framework, may vary between say 2mm and 6mm, for example.

[0003] In the assembly and installation of glazed panels, it is known to use hard plastic / rubber type gaskets and beads (PVC, Polypropylene and similar) to secure the glass panels in the framework and to provide an acoustic seal to the framework. This typically does not provide a complete seal and often the cut gaskets in the corners are short, incorrectly or irregularly cut, not fitted corrected or damaged and allow gaps to form. These issues allow sound to get through the proprietary acoustic seals and reduces the overall performance of the glazed panel. The hard plastic gaskets to not provide a proper acoustic seal.

[0004] Further, the hard plastic / rubber type gaskets and / or beads (PVC, Polypropylene and similar) that are currently used are highly flammable and difficult to recycle (not considered very eco-friendly) and susceptible to UV degradation and oxidation. In addition, polypropylene's glossy finish makes it harder to bond to other surfaces and materials and it is non-biodegradable.

[0005] Currently available glazed panels do not provide a complete seal to the glass panels and allow sound and noise to get through the gaps in the glazed panel when using hard plastic acoustic seals.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved glazed panel and a method for manufacturing same which addresses the aforementioned problems associated with conventional glazed panels, partitions and screens.Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to the invention, there is provided a glazed panel comprising a support frame having an opening with a peripheral rebate for reception of an associated glass panel, an edge seal mounted within the rebate and engaged with a peripheral edge of the glass panel to seal the glass panel within the rebate, characterised in that the edge seal comprises an endless seal of a flexible sealant material.

[0008] The flexible sealant material, called "Core-X", is applied to the support frame in a fluid form and is subsequently cured to form a resilient endless seal between the glass panel and the support frame. It will be appreciated that as the flexible sealant material is initially in a fluid form when assembling the glazed panel, the flexible sealant material can accommodate and fully fill any variation of the gap between the glass panel and the support frame around a periphery of the glass panel, thus providing an improved acoustic seal between the glass panel and the support frame.

[0009] In another embodiment the flexible sealant material comprises a modified silane polymer material.

[0010] In another embodiment, the flexible sealant material initially comprises a "wet-mix" of (depending on the specific application of the system, such as temperature, humidity, UV resistance, loading and high strength characteristics, applied finishes, and similar requirements and conditions) the flexible sealant material selected from a modified silicone polymer material, hybrid polymers, modified silane polymers, MS polymers, elastomers, modified silicone, silicone or hybrid sealants, polyurethanes, caulk (and other flexible acrylic fillers) which is applied to the support frame and subsequently cured.

[0011] In another embodiment the endless edge seal engages between an inner edge of the glass panel and the rebate.

[0012] In another embodiment the support frame has a first rebate at an inner side of the opening and a second rebate at an outer side of the opening, a first glass panel mounted in the first rebate with a first endless edge seal engaged between the first glass panel and the first rebate, a second glass panel mounted in the second rebate with a second endless edge seal engaged between the second glass panel and the second rebate to form a double-glazed glazed panel.

[0013] In another embodiment the first glass panel and the second glass panel are of different thickness.

[0014] In another embodiment the glass panel comprises an acoustic laminated glass panel.

[0015] In another embodiment the support frame comprises a wooden frame structure.

[0016] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for assembling a glazed panel, comprising the steps: forming a support frame having an opening with a peripheral rebate, forming an endless edge seal along an inner corner of the rebate by depositing a bead of flexible sealant material in a fluid form along the rebate, mounting a glass panel in the rebate with an inner edge of the glass panel engaging with the endless edge seal, and curing the endless edge seal.

[0017] In another embodiment the flexible sealant material comprises a modified silane polymer material.

[0018] In another embodiment the flexible sealant material selected from a modified silicone polymer material, hybrid polymers, modified silane polymers, MS polymers, elastomers, modified silicone, silicone or hybrid sealants, polyurethanes, caulk (and other flexible acrylic fillers).

[0019] In another embodiment the glass panel comprises an acoustic laminated glass panel.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a glazed panel according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view corresponding to Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view corresponding to Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view of portion of the glazed panel; Fig. 7 is an elevational view of a glazed panel assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail sectional view corresponding to Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail sectional view corresponding to Fig. 9; Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail sectional view of portion of the glazed panel of Fig. 7; Fig. 13 is an elevational view of another glazed panel assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention; Fig. 14 is an elevational view of another glazed panel according to a third embodiment of the invention; Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line XV-XV of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI of Fig. 14; Fig. 17 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing portion of the glazed panel assembly of Fig. 14; Fig. 18 is an enlarged sectional elevational view corresponding to Fig. 15; Fig. 19 is an enlarged sectional elevational view corresponding to Fig. 16; and Fig. 20 - Fig. 42 are detail sectional elevational views showing various glass panel mounting arrangements for glazed panels of the invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0021] Referring to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1 to Fig. 6 thereof, there is illustrated a glazed panel according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The glazed panel 1 comprises a rectangular support frame 2 having an opening 3 with a peripheral rebate 4 for reception of an associated glass panel 5. An endless edge seal 6 is mounted within the rebate 4 and engages with an inner peripheral edge 7 of the glass panel 5 to seal the glass panel 5 within the rebate 4. The endless edge seal 6 comprises a flexible sealant material, and preferably comprises a modified silane polymer material.

[0022] During assembly of the glazed panel 1, the flexible sealant material is deposited fully around the rebate 4 in a fluid form to form the endless edge seal 6 and the glass panel 5 is mounted within the opening 3 with outer peripheral edges 8 of the glass panel 5 locating within the rebate 4 with inner peripheral edges 7 of the glass panel 5 engaging with the endless edge seal 6.

[0023] Referring in particular to Fig. 6, outer peripheral edges 8 of the glass panel 5 locate within the rebate 4 with associated spacer elements 10,11,12 mounted between the glass panel 5 and the rebate 4 to centre the glass panel 5 within the rebate 4.

[0024] In this case the glazed panel 1 forms a door which is mounted within an associated door frame 15 which in turn is mounted within a wall 16. The glass panel 5 comprises acoustic laminated glass having a thickness of 12.8mm.

[0025] It will be noted that the endless edge seal 6 provides a complete seal around the glass panel 5 and thus provides a glazed panel with improved sound insulation. The endless edge seal 6 fully seals the glass panel 5 internally within the void and increases the acoustic rating. The endless edge seal 6 provides a low-cost solution in comparison to increasing glass thicknesses and configuration that increases acoustics and is a nonflammable material.

[0026] Examples of "Core-X" flexible sealant materials include Unibond 3B Acetoxy Silicone or Arbosil-XL 1075-TDS.

[0027] Referring now to Fig. 7 to Fig. 12, there is illustrated another glazed panel according to a second embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case the glazed panel 20 is a double-glazed panel. The glazed panel 20 comprises a rectangular support frame 22 having an opening 3 with a first rebate 23 at an inner side of the opening 3 and a second rebate 24 at an outer side of the opening 3. A first glass panel 25 is mounted in the first rebate 23 with a first endless edge seal 27 engaged between the first glass panel 25 and the first rebate 23. A second glass panel 26 is mounted in the second rebate 24 with a second endless edge seal 28 engaged between the second glass panel 26 and the second rebate 24.

[0028] Referring now to Fig. 13, there is illustrated another glazed panel according to a third embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 30. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case the glazed panel 30 has a rectangular support frame 32 with a diagonal rail 33 and a pair of glass panels 35, 36 are mounted on the support frame 32.

[0029] Referring now to Fig. 14 to Fig. 19, there is illustrated another glazed panel according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 40. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. The glazed panel 40 comprises a rectangular support frame 42 within which are mounted a number of glass panels 45, 46, 47 with edge seals 48 between adjacent glass panels 45, 46, 47. A peripheral rebate 50 in the support frame 42 receives outer edges of the glass panel 45, 46, 47. An endless corner edge seal 51 is mounted within the rebate 50 and engages with an inner peripheral corner edge 52 of each glass panel 45, 46, 47 to seal the glass panel 45, 46, 47 within the rebate 50. Two sets of glass panels 45, 46, 47 provide a double-glazed configuration as shown in Fig.18.

[0030] Referring now to Fig. 20 to Fig. 42, there are illustrated various glass panel mounting arrangements for glazed panels of the invention. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. Fig. 20 to Fig. 27 show variations of the arrangement in Fig. 17 and Fig. 28 to Fig. 42 show variations of the arrangement in Fig. 12.

[0031] Fig. 20 shows an endless edge corner seal 51 engaged with an inner corner edge 52 of the glass panel 45. Resilient spacer elements 10, 11 mounted between an inner face 54 and an outer face 55 of the glass panel 45 and an inner face 56 and an outer face 57 of the rebate 50 stabilise and centre the glass panel 45 within the rebate 50.

[0032] In Fig. 21, the endless edge corner seal 51 engages an outer corner edge 53 of the glass panel 5. In Fig. 22, there is shown an arrangement whereby endless edge corner seals 51 engage both inner corner edge 52 and the outer corner edge 53 of the glass panel 45.

[0033] In Fig. 23, there is shown an arrangement whereby an extended endless face and corner edge seal 58 engages the inner corner edge 52 and the inner face 54 portion of the glass panel 45 which locates within the rebate 50. Fig. 24 shows an alternative arrangement whereby the endless face and corner edge seal 58 engages the outer corner edge 53 and the outer face 55 portion of the glass panel 45 within the rebate 50. Fig. 25 shows an arrangement whereby endless face and corner edge seals 58 engage both inner and outer corner edges 52,53 and inner and outer face 54,55 portions of the glass panel 45 within the rebate 50.

[0034] Fig. 26 shows a construction in which the endless face and corner edge seal 58 engages an inner corner edge 52 and inner face 54 of the glass panel 45 within the rebate 50 and an edge corner seal 51 engages the outer corner edge 53 of the glass panel 45. Fig. 27 shows a similar arrangement, however, in this case, the edge corner seal 51 engages the inner corner edge 52 of the glass panel 45 and the face and corner edge seal 58 engages the outer corner edge 53 and outer face 55 portion of the glass panel 45 within the rebate 50.

[0035] Fig. 28 shows an arrangement whereby an endless face and corner edge seal 58 engages the second glass panel 26 and an endless edge corner seal 51 engages the first glass panel 25. Fig. 29 shows a similar arrangement to Fig. 28, however, in this case, the endless face and corner edge seal 58 engages the first glass panel 25 and the endless edge corner seal 51 engages the second glass panel 26. Fig. 30 shows an arrangement in which an endless face and outer peripheral edge seal 62 engages a full outer peripheral edge 63 of the first glass panel 25 and an inner face 64 of the first glass panel 25 within the first rebate 23. An endless outer peripheral edge seal 66 is provided in the second rebate 24 extending between an outer peripheral edge 67 of the second glass panel 26 and a face of the second rebate 24.

[0036] Fig. 31 to Fig. 42 show various other arrangements for providing endless seals 51.58,62,66 between the first and second glass panels 25,26 and the associated first and second rebates 23,24.

[0037] It will be appreciated that the invention maximises the acoustic performance of glazed panels with minimum additional cost. It will be noted that the "Core-X" flexible sealant material fills the void between the glass panel and the support frame and provides an endless seal around the glass panel in the support frame, and accommodates variations in the size of the void between the glass panel and the support frame around a periphery of the glass panel. In laboratory tests, the glazed panel of the invention increased the acoustic performance by 7 decibels over similar conventional glazed systems.

[0038] While the support frame in the described embodiments comprises timber material, it will be appreciated that the support frame could be of a metal material such as aluminium.

[0039] In this specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" or any variation thereof and the terms "include, includes, included and including" or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa.

[0040] The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A glazed panel(1) comprising a support frame (2) having an opening (3) with a peripheral rebate (4) for reception of an associated glass panel (5), an edge seal (6) mounted within the rebate (4) and engaged with a peripheral edge (7) of the glass panel (5) to seal the glass panel (5) within the rebate (4), characterised in that the edge seal (6) comprises an endless edge seal (6) of a flexible sealant material.

2. The glazed panel (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the endless edge seal (6) comprises a modified silane polymer material.

3. The glazed panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flexible sealant material selected from a modified silicone polymer material, hybrid polymers, modified silane polymers, MS polymers, elastomers, modified silicone, silicone or hybrid sealants, polyurethanes, caulk (and other flexible acrylic fillers).

4. The glazed panel as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the endless edge seal engages between an inner edge of the glass panel and the rebate.

5. The glazed panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support frame has a first rebate at an inner side of the opening and a second rebate at an outer side of the opening, a first glass panel mounted in the first rebate with a first endless edge seal engaged between the first glass panel and the first rebate, a second glass panel mounted in the second rebate with a second endless edge seal engaged between the second glass panel and the second rebate to form a double-glazed glazed panel.

6. The glazed panel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first glass panel and the second glass panel are of different thickness.

7. The glazed panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the glass panel comprises an acoustic laminated glass panel.

8. The glazed panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support frame comprises a wooden frame structure.

9. A method for assembling a glazed panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps: forming a support frame having an opening with a peripheral rebate, forming an endless edge seal along an inner corner of the rebate by depositing a bead of flexible sealant material in a fluid form along the rebate, mounting a glass panel in the rebate with an inner edge of the glass panel engaging with the endless edge seal, and curing the endless edge seal.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the flexible sealant material comprises a modified silane polymer material.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the flexible sealant material selected from a modified silicone polymer material, hybrid polymers, modified silane polymers, MS polymers, elastomers, modified silicone, silicone or hybrid sealants, polyurethanes, caulk or other flexible acrylic fillers.

12. The method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the glass panel comprises an acoustic laminated glass panel.

Images