Glass reinforcing structure

Abstract

To provide a glass reinforcing structure that facilitates quality control and reduces the amount of work during maintenance by using sealing work that does not perform on-site structural sealing.SOLUTION: A glass reinforcing structure 100 comprises an upper frame, a lower frame, a plurality of glass panels 3 arranged with a gap 3A in a left-right direction, with an upper end that fits into the upper frame and a lower end that is supported by the lower frame, a reinforcing member 4 facing a plate surface in a direction intersecting the glass panels 3 and at least partially arranged in the gap 3A, connection means 5 mechanically fixed to the reinforcing member 4 and locked to the glass panels 3, and a sealant 6 sealing a space between the reinforcing member 4 and the glass panels 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a glass stiffening structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Glass panels have traditionally been installed in openings in buildings (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). In the case of large openings, a construction method of stiffening glass is adopted to reduce the thickness of the glass. For example, there is a construction method in which rib glass perpendicular to the face glass is installed at the joint between the face glass pieces, and the end of the face glass and the end of the rib glass are bonded with a structural seal. There is also a construction method in which a mullion perpendicular to the face glass is installed at the joint between the face glass pieces, strips of glass are inserted into a metal holder joined to the mullion, and the strips of glass and the face glass are bonded with a structural seal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 098831 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the structural seals used in the above construction method, which are cast on site (constructed), are subject to the on-site environment, making quality control difficult. In addition, there are problems with the construction work, including the on-site preparation required for replacing glass during maintenance, which can be cumbersome.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a glass stiffening structure that facilitates quality control by performing sealing work (only watertight seal) without structural sealing on-site, and does not require labor-intensive construction work during maintenance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following means. In other words, the glass stiffening structure of the present invention comprises an upper frame, a lower frame, a plurality of glass panels whose upper ends fit within the upper frame and whose lower ends are supported by the lower frame and are arranged with gaps in the left-right direction, a stiffening material whose plate surface is oriented in a direction intersecting the glass panels and at least a portion of which is arranged in the gap, connecting means that engages with the glass panels and is mechanically fixed to the stiffening material, and a sealing material that seals between the stiffening material and the glass panels.

[0007] In the glass stiffening structure constructed in this way, the stiffener is connected to the glass panel by a connecting means, and the space between the stiffener and the glass panel is sealed with a waterproof sealant. Since the sealant is not a structural seal, quality control is easy and maintenance work is not time-consuming.

[0008] In the glass stiffening structure according to the present invention, an upper end portion of the stiffening material may be contained within the upper frame, and a lower end portion of the stiffening material may be contained within the lower frame.

[0009] In the glass stiffening structure constructed in this way, the upper end of the stiffening material fits into the upper frame, and the lower end fits into the lower frame, so the upper and lower frames are linearly extending in the left-right direction. This means that there is no need to process the surrounding materials such as ceiling materials and floor materials to fit the frame shape, making it easy to install.

[0010] In the glass stiffening structure according to the present invention, the stiffening material does not have to be fixed to the upper frame and the lower frame.

[0011] In the glass stiffening structure configured in this way, the stiffeners are not fixed to the upper and lower frames. Therefore, when an external force is applied and the glass panel performs rocking behavior in response to in-plane displacement, the stiffeners can also behave in the same way. In response to out-of-plane displacement, the stiffeners can behave in the same way due to the clearance between the upper and lower frames and the glass panel and stiffeners.

[0012] Furthermore, the glass stiffening structure according to the present invention may comprise a displacement means capable of displacing the upper frame in the vertical direction relative to the framework of the building.

[0013] In the glass stiffening structure configured in this way, the upper frame can be displaced vertically relative to the building frame by the displacement means, and therefore, in the event of a large displacement, the displacement means can absorb the change in the relative vertical positional relationship between the upper frame and the frame, thereby preventing the upper frame from receiving an external force from the frame.

[0014] In the glass stiffening structure according to the present invention, the displacement means may have a bearing capable of sliding in the vertical direction.

[0015] In the glass stiffening structure configured in this way, the displacement means has a bearing that is slidable in the vertical direction, so that when a large displacement occurs, it is possible to absorb changes in the relative vertical positional relationship between the upper frame and the main body, while preventing the upper frame from receiving an external force from the main body. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the glass stiffening structure of the present invention, the structural seal is performed by a sealing method that is not carried out on-site, which facilitates quality control and reduces the time and effort required for maintenance work. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a glass stiffening structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the upper part of a glass stiffening structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the lower part of a glass stiffening structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an upper portion of a stiffening material of a glass stiffening structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a glass stiffening structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view showing a displacement means of a glass stiffening structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a displacement means of a glass stiffening structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] A glass stiffening structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a stiffening structure for glass according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an upper part of the stiffening structure for glass according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a lower part of the stiffening structure for glass according to one embodiment of the present invention. The glass stiffening structure 100 according to this embodiment is installed in an opening of a building. The glass stiffening structure 100 includes an upper frame 1 shown in Fig. 2, a lower frame 2 shown in Fig. 3, a glass panel 3, a stiffening material 4, a connecting means 5, a sealing material 6, and a displacement means 7 shown in Fig. 2.

[0019] The vertical direction is indicated by arrow Z, the direction along the plate surface of glass panel 3 (called the left-right direction) is indicated by arrow X, and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the left-right direction (called the indoor-outdoor direction) is indicated by arrow Y.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the upper frame 1 is disposed along the upper edge of the opening of the building. The upper frame 1 is connected to the building frame via a displacement means 7 described later. An opening groove 11 that opens downward is formed in the lower part of the upper frame 1. The upper frame 1 is formed of a member such as metal, but the material can be set appropriately. In conventional ribbed glass, the stiffener 4 protrudes farther in the indoor / outdoor direction than the glass panel over almost the entire length in the vertical direction. As described later, the stiffener 4 of this embodiment is formed so that the length in the indoor / outdoor direction at the upper end 4u of the stiffener 4 is shorter than the length in the indoor / outdoor direction at the vertical middle part 4c of the stiffener 4. Therefore, the upper frame 1 has a straight shape extending in the left-right direction.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the lower frame 2 is arranged along the lower edge of the opening of the building. The lower frame 2 is fixed to the building frame. An opening groove 21 that opens upward is formed in the upper part of the lower frame 2. The lower frame 2 is formed of a member such as metal, but the material can be set appropriately. The lower frame 2 is formed so that the length in the indoor / outdoor direction at the lower end 4d of the stiffening material 4 is shorter than the length in the indoor / outdoor direction at the vertical middle part 4c of the stiffening material 4. Therefore, the lower frame 2 has a straight line extending in the left-right direction.

[0022] The glass panel 3 is a double-glazed glass in which two glass plates 31 are arranged with a gap between them in the indoor and outdoor directions. Long inter-glass spacers 32 are arranged near the top, bottom, left and right ends between the two glass plates 31. An inter-glass sealant 33 is provided on the outside of the inter-glass spacer 32. As shown in FIG. 1, at the left and right end 3a of the glass panel 3, the inter-glass sealant 33 is set back and arranged more inward than the left and right end 3a of the glass panel 3. The glass panel 3 may be composed of three or more glass plates 31, and the number of glass plates 31 can be set appropriately.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, the upper end 3u of the glass panel 3 is placed in the open groove 11 of the upper frame 1. An upper frame setting block 35 is installed between the upper end 3u of the glass panel 3 and the lower surface of the open groove 11 of the upper frame 1. An upper frame sealant 37 is provided between the upper frame 1 and the vicinity of the upper end 3u on both sides of the glass panel 3. The upper frame sealant 37 seals the gaps between the upper frame 1 and both sides of the glass panel 3.

[0024] 3, a lower frame setting block 36 is installed between the lower end 3d of the glass panel 3 and the upper surface of the opening groove 21 of the lower frame 2. The lower end 3d of the glass panel 3 is supported by the lower frame 2 via the lower frame setting block 36. Lower frame sealants 38 are provided between the lower frame 2 and the vicinity of the lower end 3d on both sides of the glass panel 3. The lower frame sealants 38 seal the gaps between both sides of the glass panel 3 and the lower frame 2.

[0025] 1, the glass panels 3 are arranged with gaps 3A in the left-right direction. The gaps 3A are formed between the left-right ends 3a of adjacent glass panels 3.

[0026] The stiffening material 4 has two stiffening plates 41. In this embodiment, the stiffening plates 41 are formed of a metal material such as a high-strength aluminum extrusion material, but the material can be set appropriately. Long backer materials 42 are arranged near the upper, lower, left, and right ends between the two stiffening plates 41, and an inter-stiffener seal material 43 is provided on the outside of the backer materials 42. The stiffening material 4 may be composed of one stiffening plate 41 or three or more stiffening plates 41.

[0027] The plate surface of the stiffening material 4 is disposed along the indoor-outdoor direction. The plate surface (front surface) of the stiffening material 4 faces a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the glass panel 3. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the length of the stiffening material 4 in the indoor-outdoor direction is formed such that both end portions 4u, 4d in the up-down direction are shorter than the middle portion 4c in the vertical direction.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the upper part of the stiffening material 4 of the glass stiffening structure 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper end 4u of the stiffening material 4 is fitted in the opening groove 11 of the upper frame 1. The upper end 4u of the stiffening material 4 is positioned inside the opening groove 11 in the left-right direction and the indoor-outdoor direction by a positioning member 46. In addition, the positioning member 46 has the function of receiving pressure (negative pressure) when the stiffening material 4 receives pressure that moves it toward the outdoors. As shown in Fig. 3, the lower end of the stiffening material 4 is fitted in the opening groove 21 of the lower frame 2. The stiffening material 4 is not fixed to the upper frame 1 and the lower frame 2.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1 , at least a portion of the stiffener 4 is disposed in a gap 3A formed between adjacent glass panels 3. In this embodiment, an area including an end 4a in the width direction (indoor / outdoor direction) of the stiffener 4 is disposed in the gap 3A. Note that the middle of the stiffener 4 in the width direction may also be disposed in the gap 3A. The plate surface 4b of the stiffener 4 does not abut against the end 3a of the glass panel 3. A gap 4A is formed between the plate surface 4b of the stiffener 4 and the end 3a of the glass panel 3.

[0030] The connecting means 5 connects the left-right ends 3a of the glass panel 3 to the vicinity of the widthwise end 4a of the stiffener 4. The connecting means 5 has an angle iron 50 and a fixing screw 56.

[0031] The angle iron 50 may be a component disposed over substantially the entire length of the glass panel 3 in the vertical direction, or may be configured as a plurality of angle irons disposed at short intervals relative to the length of the glass panel 3 in the vertical direction.

[0032] The angle iron 50 has an L-shape in a horizontal cross section. The angle iron 50 has a first arm 51 and a second arm 52. The first arm 51 is disposed along the plate surface 4b of the stiffening plate 41. The first arm 51 is mechanically fixed to the stiffening plate 41. In this embodiment, the first arm 51 is fixed to the stiffening plate 41 by a fixing screw 56. The first arm 51 and the second arm 52 are connected to each other so as to form a substantially right angle in a horizontal cross section.

[0033] A channel material 34 that is C-shaped in horizontal cross section and opens to the end portion 3a side is provided between the glass plates 31 of the glass panel 3. An inter-glass seal material 33 is provided in the gap between the channel material 34 and the glass plates 31. The tip of the second piece 52 of the angle material 50 is engaged with the inside of the channel material 34. The stiffener 4 can resist external forces acting on the glass panel 3 in the indoor / outdoor directions.

[0034] A cushioning material 53 is provided on the outside of the tip of the second arm 52. The cushioning material 53 prevents the tip of the second arm 52 from directly contacting the channel material 34, making it possible to suppress noise.

[0035] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the glass stiffening structure 100. Fig. 5 shows a connection portion between one of the two stiffening plates 41 and the glass panel 3. The sealant 6 seals between the glass plate 31A, which is disposed on the outdoor side of the two glass plates 31 of the glass panel 3, and the stiffening plate 41 of the stiffening member 4. The sealant 6 is in contact with an end face 31a of the glass plate 31A. The sealant 6 is in contact with a portion 41a near an end in the width direction of the plate surface 4b of the stiffening plate 41. As shown in Fig. 5, the stiffening member 4 is disposed over substantially the entire length of the glass panel 3 and the stiffening member 4 in the vertical direction. The sealant 6 functions to stop water.

[0036] 2 displaces the upper frame 1 relative to the building frame. The displacement means 7 includes a connecting member 70, a moving member 75, and a bearing 80.

[0037] Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view showing the displacement means 7. Fig. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the displacement means 7 of the glass stiffening structure 100. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the connecting member 70 has a connecting main body portion 71 and an attachment portion 72.

[0038] 6, the connecting body 71 has a generally rectangular horizontal cross section with a vertically hollow interior. A through hole 71b penetrating in the indoor to outdoor direction is formed in the indoor wall 71a of the connecting body 71. The through hole 71b has a vertically elongated shape.

[0039] The mounting portion 72 protrudes from the outdoor-side wall portion 71c of the connecting main body portion 71 toward the outdoor side and is bent in the left-right direction. The mounting portion 72 is provided on both the left and right sides of the connecting main body portion 71. As shown in FIG. 2, a bolt 73 is inserted into a mounting hole 72a of the mounting portion 72 and fastened with a nut 74. The head of the bolt 73 is engaged with the upper frame 1. In this way, the connecting member 70 is fixed to the upper frame 1.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 6, the movable member 75 has a T-shape in horizontal cross section. The movable member 75 has a fixed wall portion 76 and an extending wall portion 77. The fixed wall portion 76 extends in the left-right direction. The extending wall portion 77 extends from the fixed wall portion 76 to the outdoor side. The extending wall portion 77 is inserted into the through hole 71b of the connecting member 70 and is disposed inside and outside the connecting member 70.

[0041] The bearing 80 has an annular shape. The bearings 80 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the extending wall portion 77, and are arranged in two stages in the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 7, the bearings 80 on both the left and right sides are connected by a shaft member 81 facing in the left-right direction. The bearings 80 are rotatable about the shaft member 81. The bearings 80 are slidable in the vertical direction along the inner surface of the connecting member 70.

[0042] A bolt 78 inserted through a mounting hole 76 a of the fixed wall portion 76 is inserted through a mounting hole 86 a of a fixed plate portion 86 fixed to the framework of the building and screwed into a nut 79 .

[0043] When a force acts in the vertical direction, such as during an earthquake, the bearings 80 slide vertically, allowing the upper frame 1 to move vertically relative to the frame. The glass panel 3 and the stiffener 4 are not fixed to the upper frame 1 and the lower frame 2, and the stiffener 4 is connected to the glass panel 3 by connecting means 5, so the glass panel 3 and the stiffener 4 can be locked together. Since there are gaps between the upper frame 1 and the lower frame 2 and the glass panel 3, in which the upper frame sealant 37 and the lower frame sealant 38 are disposed, when a force in the indoor / outdoor direction, such as wind pressure, acts, the glass panel 3 and the stiffener 4 can be displaced in the indoor / outdoor direction inside the upper frame 1 and the lower frame 2.

[0044] In the glass stiffening structure 100 configured in this manner, the stiffening material 4 is connected to the glass panel 3 by the connecting means 5, and the space between the stiffening material 4 and the glass panel 3 is sealed with a waterproof sealant 6. Since the sealant 6 is not a structural seal, quality control can be easily performed and maintenance work is not time-consuming.

[0045] In addition, since the upper end 4u of the stiffening member 4 is contained within the upper frame 1, and the lower end 4d is contained within the lower frame 2, the upper frame 1 and the lower frame 2 have a straight line extending in the left-right direction. This eliminates the need to process peripheral materials such as ceiling materials and floor materials to fit the frame shape, making construction easy.

[0046] In addition, the stiffener 4 is not fixed to the upper frame 1 and lower frame 2. Therefore, when an external force is applied and the glass performs a rocking behavior in response to in-plane displacement, the stiffener 4 can also behave in the same way. In response to out-of-plane displacement, the stiffener 4 can perform the same behavior due to the clearance between the upper frame 1 and lower frame 2 and the glass panel 3 and stiffener 4. In addition, maintenance such as replacement of the glass panel 3 is made easier.

[0047] In addition, the upper frame 1 can be displaced in the vertical direction relative to the building frame by the displacement means 7. Therefore, in the event of a large displacement, the displacement means 7 can absorb the change in the relative vertical positional relationship between the upper frame 1 and the frame, thereby preventing the upper frame 1 from receiving an external force from the frame.

[0048] In addition, the displacement means 7 has a bearing 80 that is vertically slidable. Therefore, during large displacement, it is possible to absorb changes in the relative vertical positional relationship between the upper frame 1 and the frame, while preventing the upper frame 1 from receiving an external force from the frame.

[0049] The connecting means 5 is configured to be inserted into and engaged with a groove in the channel material 34. Therefore, during maintenance, by cutting the seal material 6, the upper frame seal material 37, and the lower frame seal material 38, the glass panel 3 and the stiffener 4 can be easily taken out individually to the outside of the upper frame 1 and the lower frame 2, making it easy to replace the glass panel 3 and the stiffener 4.

[0050] The shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above-described embodiment are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0051] The "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" are 17 international goals that were adopted at the United Nations Summit in September 2015. The glass stiffening structure 100 according to this embodiment can contribute to the achievement of, for example, "11. Sustainable cities and communities" among the 17 SDGs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 Top Frame 2 Bottom frame 3 Glass Panel 3A Gap 4 Stiffeners 4a end 5 Connection means 6. Sealing materials 7 Displacement Means 80 Bearing 100 Glass reinforcement structure

Claims

1. The upper frame and The bottom frame and a plurality of glass panels each having an upper end portion fitted within the upper frame and a lower end portion supported by the lower frame, the glass panels being arranged with gaps in the left-right direction; A stiffener having a plate surface oriented in a direction intersecting the glass panel and at least a portion of which is disposed in the gap; a connecting means that is engaged with the glass panel and mechanically secured to the stiffener; A glass stiffening structure comprising: a sealant that seals between the stiffener and the glass panel.

2. The glass stiffening structure according to claim 1 , wherein the stiffening material has an upper end that fits within the upper frame and a lower end that fits within the lower frame.

3. The glass stiffening structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stiffening material is not fixed to the upper frame and the lower frame.

4. 3. A glass stiffening structure according to claim 1, further comprising a displacement means for displacing the upper frame in the vertical direction relative to the building frame.

5. 5. The glass stiffening structure according to claim 4, wherein said displacement means has a bearing capable of sliding in a vertical direction.

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