Mullion structure

Abstract

To provide a mullion structure that can reduce its visible size while ensuring strength. [Solution] The mullion structure 30 comprises a frame 2, a glass panel 4 disposed within the frame 2, and a mullion 3 disposed to the side of the glass panel 4 and extending in the depth direction. The mullion 3 has a mullion body 31 having an indoor portion 32 disposed on the indoor side X2 of the glass panel 4 and a depth-extending portion 33 that extends from the indoor portion 32 through the glass panel 4 to the outdoor side X1 in the depth direction, an insulating member 34 disposed on the outdoor side X1 of the glass panel 4 and on the outside in the visibility direction of the depth-extending portion 33, and a metal outer metal frame member 35 disposed on the outside of the insulating member 34.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mullion structure.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a mullion structure is known in which a mullion is disposed between two glass panels provided within a frame (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the mullion structure described in Patent Document 1, a heat insulation structure is realized by a bridge structure in which a heat insulation member is disposed between an outdoor aluminum profile and an indoor aluminum profile in the mullion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the mullion structure described in Patent Document 1, since the heat insulation structure is realized by a bridge structure in which a heat insulation member is disposed between the outdoor aluminum profile and the indoor aluminum profile, the size in the finding direction tends to be large. Further, in the mullion structure, it is required to ensure strength. Therefore, there is a demand for a mullion structure that is slim with a small size in the finding direction while ensuring strength.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a mullion structure that can reduce the size in the finding direction while ensuring strength.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This disclosure relates to a mullion structure comprising a frame, a glass panel disposed within the frame, and a mullion disposed laterally to the glass panel and extending in the depth direction, wherein the mullion has a mullion body having an indoor portion disposed on the indoor side of the glass panel and a depth-extending portion extending from the indoor portion through the glass panel to the outdoor side in the depth direction, an insulating member disposed on the outdoor side of the glass panel and on the outside in the visibility direction of the depth-extending portion, and a metal outer metal frame member disposed on the outside of the insulating member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the door / window of the first embodiment, seen from the outside. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view along line BB, which is a transverse cross-sectional view of the mullion structure of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the mullion structure of the second embodiment, which corresponds to the cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 1 of the first embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The first embodiment of the joinery 1 will be described. In this specification, "face direction" means the direction of the surface of the glass panel 4 in the joinery 1 fitted into an opening formed in the wall of a building, and "depth direction" means the thickness direction (i.e., depth direction) of the surface material. The "depth direction" is also the interior-exterior direction. "Face surface" means the respective surfaces of the joinery 1 that face the exterior and interior sides, and "depth surface" means the surface of the joinery 1 that extends in the interior-exterior direction. In the drawings, the exterior side of the joinery 1 is referred to as the exterior side X1, and the interior side of the joinery 1 is referred to as the interior side X2.

[0009] As shown in Figure 1, the joinery 1 is composed of a series of windows and comprises a frame 2 attached to an opening in the building structure (not shown), a plurality of mullions 3 that divide the inside of the frame 2 into a plurality of regions in the left-right direction, and a plurality of glass panels 4 positioned between the frame 2 and the mullions 3. The frame 2 is constructed by framing an upper frame 21, a lower frame 22, and left and right vertical frames (not shown) in a rectangular shape.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the multiple mullions 3 are arranged within the frame 2 and extend vertically. The multiple mullions 3 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction along the left-right direction of the frame 2, dividing the inside of the frame 2 into multiple regions in the left-right direction. Within the frame 2, a glass panel 4 is placed inside the area enclosed by the frame 2 and the mullions 3, thereby forming multiple fixed window sections 40. The fixed window sections 40 are non-opening and non-closable fixed windows.

[0011] The mullion structure 30 of mullion 3 will now be explained. In the mullion structure 30 shown in Figure 3, the side of the mullion 3 facing the center line C is referred to as the "inside in the left-right direction," and the side of the mullion 3 that is away from the center line C in the left-right direction is referred to as the "outside in the left-right direction."

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the mullion structure 30 comprises a frame 2, two glass panels 4 arranged within the frame 2 and spaced adjacent to each other in the left-right direction (lateral direction) of the visible surface, and a mullion 3 positioned on the left-right side of the two glass panels 4 and between the two glass panels 4, extending in the vertical direction.

[0013] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the glass panel 4 is a double-glazed glass panel in which a glass plate 41 on the indoor side X2 and a glass plate 42 on the outdoor side X1 are arranged with a predetermined gap between them by interposing a spacer 43.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the mullion 3 is formed to extend in the vertical direction. The upper end of the mullion 3 is connected to the upper frame 21 of the frame 2, and the lower end is connected to the lower frame 22 of the frame 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the mullion 3 is formed to extend in the depth direction and has a metal mullion body 31, a pair of heat insulating resin structures 34 (heat insulating members), a pair of metal outer metal frame members 35, and a metal outdoor side cover portion 36. In the depth direction, the mullion 3 is formed to protrude outward from the glass panel 4.

[0015] The mullion body 31, the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34, the pair of outer metal frame members 35, and the outdoor cover portion 36 extend in the vertical direction. The mullion body 31 has an indoor portion 32 and an extension portion 33 in the depth direction. The metal mullion body 31, the pair of metal outer metal frame members 35, and the metal outdoor cover portion 36 are formed from extruded profiles of a metal material such as aluminum.

[0016] As shown in Figure 3, the indoor portion 32 is positioned on the indoor side X2 of the two glass panels 4, and is positioned across the two glass panels 4 in the left-right direction (visible direction) on the indoor side X2 of the two glass panels 4. The indoor portion 32 is hollow inside and has a rectangular cross-section. A pair of airtight seals 321 are attached to the outdoor side X1 surfaces at both ends of the indoor portion 32 in the left-right direction. The pair of airtight seals 321 are pressed against the indoor side X2 surfaces at the left-right mullion 3 sides of the two glass panels 4, respectively, ensuring airtightness between the outdoor side X1 surfaces at both ends of the indoor portion 32 in the left-right direction and the indoor side X2 surfaces at the left-right mullion 3 sides of the two glass panels 4.

[0017] The depth-extending portion 33 extends from the left-right center of the surface of the outdoor X1 of the indoor portion 32 along the centerline C, projecting outwards to the outdoor X1 in the depth direction through the two glass panels 4. The depth-extending portion 33 has a plate-shaped depth-extending plate 331 extending in the depth direction, a tip portion 332 formed at the outdoor X1 end of the depth-extending plate 331, and a pair of hooking protrusions 333 that project outwards on both sides in the left-right direction from the middle of the depth-extending plate 331. The width of the tip portion 332 in the left-right direction is formed to be greater than the width of the depth-extending plate 331 in the left-right direction. The hooking protrusions 333 are formed in an L-shape that opens to the indoor side X2.

[0018] The pair of thermal insulation resin structures 34 are positioned on the outdoor side X1 of the two glass panels 4. The pair of thermal insulation resin structures 34 are positioned on the outside of both sides in the left-right direction (visible direction) of the depth-extending portion 33 of the mullion body 31, sandwiching the outdoor side X1 portion of the depth-extending portion 33 of the mullion body 31 in the left-right direction. Each pair of thermal insulation resin structures 34 is formed in an overall shape that is U-shaped, with the depth-extending portion 33 side of the mullion body 31 being open.

[0019] The thermal insulation resin structure 34 is made of a rigid resin component that has thermal insulation properties and strength. The thermal insulation resin structure 34 is formed from a rigid resin such as rigid polyvinyl chloride. The thermal insulation resin structure 34 is formed from an extruded profile of a resin material such as rigid PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

[0020] The pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34 each has a projected-direction extending resin portion 341 extending in the projected direction, an outdoor-side inner protruding resin portion 342 protruding from the end of the projected-direction extending resin portion 341 on the outdoor side X1 toward the projected-direction extending portion 33 of the upright body 31 (the inner side in the left-right direction of the upright structure 30), an indoor-side inner protruding resin portion 343 protruding from the end of the projected-direction extending resin portion on the indoor side X2 toward the projected-direction extending portion 33 of the upright body 31 (the inner side in the left-right direction of the upright structure 30), an outdoor-side protrusion 344 protruding from the outdoor-side X1 surface to the outdoor side X1 at the inner end in the left-right direction of the indoor-side inner protruding resin portion 343, an indoor-side protrusion 345 protruding from the indoor-side X2 surface to the indoor side X2 at the inner end in the left-right direction of the indoor-side inner protruding resin portion 343, and a recess 346 recessed from the indoor-side X2 surface of the indoor-side inner protruding resin portion 343 to the outdoor side X1.

[0021] The projected-direction extending resin portion 341 extends in the projected direction along the upright body 31 so as to cover the lateral sides on the outer side in the left-right direction of the outdoor-side X1 portion of the upright body 31 on the outer side in the left-right direction of the upright body 31. The projected-direction extending resin portion 341 extends from the portion where the hooking protrusion 333 of the upright body 31 is formed to the outdoor side X1 beyond the end of the outdoor side X1 of the upright body 31 in the projected direction.

[0022] The projected-direction extending resin portion 341 has two elongated hollow portions 341a and 341b extending in the projected direction. The hollow portions 341a and 341b are formed continuously in the projected direction, with the hollow portion 341a arranged on the outdoor side X1 and the hollow portion 341b arranged on the indoor side X2.

[0023] The outdoor-side inner protruding resin portion 342 has two hollow portions 342a and 342b. The two hollow portions 342a and 342b are connected to the outdoor side X1 at the end of the projected-direction extending resin portion 341 on the outdoor side X1 and are formed continuously from the outer side to the inner side in the left-right direction. The hollow portion 342a is arranged on the outdoor side X1 at the end of the projected-direction extending resin portion 341 on the outdoor side X1, and the hollow portion 342b is formed by protruding from the hollow portion 342a to the inner side in the left-right direction.

[0024] The indoor-facing inward-projecting resin portion 343 has two hollow portions 343a and 343b. The two hollow portions 343a and 343b are connected to the indoor-facing end of the inward-extending resin portion 341 on the indoor-facing side X2, and are formed continuously from the outside to the inside in the left-right direction. Hollow portion 343a is located on the indoor-facing end of the inward-extending resin portion 341 on the indoor-facing side X2, and hollow portion 343b is formed projecting inward from hollow portion 343a in the left-right direction.

[0025] The outdoor projection 344 is hooked onto hooking projections 333 that protrude outward on both sides in the left-right direction from the middle of the depth-direction extension plate 331 of the depth-direction extension portion 33. The heat insulating resin structure 34 is attached to the mullion body 31 by the outdoor projection 344 being hooked onto and engaged with the hooking projections 333.

[0026] The pair of outer metal frame members 35 are positioned on the left-right outer side of the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34 so as to cover the perimeter of the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34. Each of the pair of outer metal frame members 35 has a depth-extending metal plate 351 positioned on the left-right outer side of the heat-insulating resin structure 34 and extending in the depth direction, an outer-inner metal plate 352 extending in the left-right direction from the outer-side X1 end of the depth-extending metal plate 351, a protruding plate 353 projecting to the indoor side X2 from the outer-inner end of the outer-inner metal plate 352, an indoor-inner metal plate 354 extending in the left-right direction from the outer-inner end of the depth-extending metal plate 351, and a projection 355 projecting to the outdoor side X1 from the outer-side inner end of the indoor-inner metal plate 354.

[0027] The metal plate 351 extending in the depth direction extends along the resin portion 341 extending in the depth direction of the thermal insulation resin structure 34 on the left and right outer side of the resin portion 341 extending in the depth direction of the thermal insulation resin structure 34. The metal plate 352 on the outdoor side X1 of the resin portion 342 protruding from the outdoor side of the thermal insulation resin structure 34 extends along the resin portion 342 protruding from the outdoor side of the thermal insulation resin structure 34.

[0028] The protruding plates 353 of the pair of outer metal frame members 35 are arranged so that their inner surfaces in the left-right direction are in contact with each other on the inner side of the end of the outdoor side X1. The protruding plates 353 of the pair of outer metal frame members 35 are arranged in this overlapping state between the pair of outdoor-side inner protruding resin parts 342 of the pair of heat insulating resin structures 34.

[0029] The indoor-side metal plate 354 is positioned along the indoor-side X2 surface of the hollow portions 343a and 343b of the indoor-side protruding resin portion 343. The projection 355 is hooked into the recess 346 of the heat-insulating resin structure 34. By hooking the projection 355 into the recess 346 of the heat-insulating resin structure 34, the outer metal frame member 35 is positioned on the outer periphery of the heat-insulating resin structure 34.

[0030] With a pair of outer metal frame members 35 attached to the left-right outer surfaces of a pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34, a backup material 37 is placed between the indoor X2 surface of the hollow portion 343b of the indoor protruding resin portion 343 of the heat-insulating resin structure 34 and the outdoor X1 surface of the left-right mullion 3 side end of the glass panel 4. On the left-right outer surface of the backup material 37, a sealant 38 is applied between the indoor inner metal plate 354 of the outer metal frame member 35 and the outdoor X1 surface of the glass panel 4.

[0031] With a pair of outer metal frame members 35 attached to the left-right outer sides of a pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34, the indoor side X2 surface of the indoor side metal plate 354 of the outer metal frame member 35 and the indoor side X2 surface of the hollow portion 343b of the indoor side protruding resin portion 343 of the heat-insulating resin structure 34 are pressing the outdoor side X1 surface of the left-right mullion 3 side end of the glass panel 4 against the indoor side X2 via a backup material 37 and a sealing material 38.

[0032] As a result, the pair of outer metal frame members 35 push the visible exterior X1 of each of the two glass panels 4 toward the interior X2 at the ends of the two glass panels 4 on the mullion 3 side in the left-right direction. Thus, the outer metal frame members 35 function as retaining trim members that push the ends of the glass panels 4 on the mullion 3 side in the left-right direction. The pair of outer metal frame members 35, along with the airtight material 321 positioned at the outer end of the interior portion 32 of the mullion 3 positioned on the interior X2, sandwich the ends of the glass panels 4 on the mullion 3 side in the left-right direction and fix the ends of the glass panels 4 on the mullion 3 side in the left-right direction.

[0033] Furthermore, a pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34, made of rigid resin, are positioned on the left-right inner side of the pair of outer metal frame members 35. Therefore, together with the outer metal frame members 35, the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34 push the visible surface on the outdoor side X1 toward the indoor side X2 at the left-right mullion 3 side end of each of the two glass panels 4, and fix the left-right mullion 3 side end of the glass panel 4 together with the indoor side portion 32 of the mullion 3 positioned on the indoor side X2.

[0034] In this way, the indoor X2 surface of the indoor inner metal plate 354 of the pair of outer metal frame members 35 and the indoor X2 surface of the hollow portion 343b of the indoor inner protruding resin portion 343 of the heat insulating resin structure 34 can be fixed between the glass panel 4 and the airtight material 321 placed at the outer end of the indoor portion 32 of the mullion body 31, sandwiching the end of the glass panel 4 on the mullion 3 side in the left-right direction. Since the heat insulating resin structure 34 is made of a rigid resin material, together with the outer metal frame members 35, the end of the glass panel 4 on the mullion 3 side in the left-right direction can be firmly fixed between the indoor portion 32 of the mullion body 31 and the heat insulating resin structure 34, sandwiching the end of the glass panel 4 on the mullion 3 side in the left-right direction in the depth direction.

[0035] The outdoor cover portion 36 is formed in a U-shape in cross-section, with the indoor side X2 being open. The outdoor cover portion 36 is attached to the outdoor side X1 ends of the pair of outdoor metal frame members 35 by engaging with the outdoor side X1 portion of the outdoor side inner metal plate 352 of the pair of outdoor metal frame members 35, when the pair of outdoor metal frame members 35 are attached to the left and right outer sides of the pair of heat insulating resin structures 34.

[0036] The mullion structure 30 of the first embodiment provides, for example, the following effects. The mullion structure 30 of this embodiment comprises a frame 2, two glass panels 4 arranged adjacent to each other with a predetermined gap between them in the visible direction, and a mullion 3 arranged between the two glass panels 4 and extending in the depth direction. The mullion 3 has a mullion body 31 having an indoor portion 32 arranged on the indoor side X2 of the two glass panels 4 and a depth-extending portion 33 that extends from the indoor portion 32 through the gap between the two glass panels 4 to the outdoor side X1 in the depth direction, a pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34 arranged on the outdoor side X1 of the two glass panels 4 and on the outside of both sides of the depth-extending portion 33 in the visible direction, and a pair of metal outer metal frame members 35 arranged on the outside of the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34 in the left-right direction.

[0037] As a result, a pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34 are placed on the outside of the horizontally extending portion 33 of the mullion body 31, which has a small width in the horizontal direction, and an outer metal frame member 35 is placed on the outside of the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, since the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34 are placed between the horizontally extending portion 33 of the mullion body 31 and the pair of outer metal frame members 35, the size in the horizontal direction (visible direction) can be reduced compared to a mullion structure that achieves heat insulation by a bridge structure in which a heat-insulating member is placed between the outdoor aluminum profile and the indoor aluminum profile. In addition, the pair of outer metal frame members 35 are placed on the outside of the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34 in the horizontal direction and are made of metal. Therefore, the appearance of the mullion structure 30 can be unified with a metal such as aluminum. Furthermore, the weather resistance of the mullion structure 30 can be stabilized by using a metal such as aluminum. Furthermore, the strength of the mullion structure 30 can be ensured.

[0038] In this embodiment, the pair of outer metal frame members 35 press the visible surfaces X1 on the outdoor side of each of the two glass panels 4 toward the indoor side X2, thereby fixing the ends of the glass panels 4 to the indoor side portion 32. As a result, the pair of outer metal frame members 35, being made of metal, function as retaining trim members that press against the ends of the glass panels 4 on the mullion 3 side in the left-right direction, thus ensuring the strength to fix the glass panels 4 to the mullion structure 30.

[0039] In this embodiment, the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34, together with the pair of outer metal frame members 35, are rigid resin members that press the exterior X1 facing surface of each of the two glass panels 4 toward the interior X2, fixing the interior portion 32 to the left-right mullion 3 side of the glass panel 4. Thus, in addition to having heat insulation properties, the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34 are rigid resin members that, together with the pair of outer metal frame members 35, function as retaining trim members that press the left-right mullion 3 side of the glass panel 4. Therefore, the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 34 combine the functions of heat insulation and strength in a single component.

[0040] Next, the mullion structure 50 of the second embodiment will be described. The mullion structure 50 of the second embodiment differs from the mullion structure 30 of the first embodiment in its internal structure. In the description of the second embodiment, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the mullion structure 50, similar to the first embodiment, comprises a frame 2, two glass panels 4 arranged within the frame 2 and spaced adjacent to each other in the left-right direction (lateral direction) of the visible surface, and a mullion 5 positioned on the left-right side of the two glass panels 4 and between the two glass panels 4, extending in the vertical direction.

[0042] Similar to the first embodiment, the glass panel 4 is a double-glazed glass panel in which a glass plate 41 on the indoor side X2 and a glass plate 42 on the outdoor side X1 are arranged with a predetermined gap between them by interposing a spacer 43.

[0043] The mullion 5 is formed to extend vertically, similar to the first embodiment. The upper end of the mullion 5 is connected to the upper frame 21 of the frame 2, and the lower end is connected to the lower frame 22 of the frame 2. As shown in Figure 4, the mullion 5 is formed to extend in the depth direction and has a metal mullion body 51, a pair of metal members 54, a pair of heat insulating resin structures 55 (heat insulating members), a pair of heat insulating resin members 56 (heat insulating members), a pair of metal outer metal frame members 57, and a metal outdoor side cover portion 58. In the depth direction, the mullion 5 is formed to protrude outward from the glass panel 4.

[0044] The mullion body 51, the pair of metal members 54, the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55, the pair of heat-insulating resin members 56, the pair of outer metal frame members 57, and the outdoor cover portion 58 extend in the vertical direction. The mullion body 51 has an indoor portion 52 and an extension portion 53 in the depth direction. The metal mullion body 51, the pair of metal members 54, the pair of metal outer metal frame members 57, and the metal outdoor cover portion 58 are formed from extruded profiles of a metal material such as aluminum.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, the indoor portion 52 is positioned on the indoor side X2 of the two glass panels 4, and is positioned across the two glass panels 4 in the left-right direction (visible direction) on the indoor side X2 of the two glass panels 4. The indoor portion 52 is hollow inside and has a rectangular cross-section. A pair of airtight seals 521 are attached to the outdoor side X1 surfaces at both ends of the indoor portion 52 in the left-right direction. The pair of airtight seals 521 are pressed against the indoor side X2 surfaces at the ends of the two glass panels 4 on the left-right mullion 5 side, respectively, ensuring airtightness between the outdoor side X1 surfaces at both ends of the indoor portion 52 in the left-right direction and the indoor side X2 surfaces at the ends of the two glass panels 4 on the left-right mullion 5 side.

[0046] The depth-extending portion 53 extends from the left-right center of the surface of the outdoor X1 of the indoor portion 52 along the center line C, passing between the two glass panels 4 and projecting outwards to the outdoor X1 in the depth direction. The depth-extending portion 53 has a plate-shaped depth-extending plate 531 that extends in the depth direction, a tip portion 532 formed at the outdoor X1 end of the depth-extending plate 531, and a pair of hooking protrusions 533 that project outwards on both sides in the left-right direction from the middle of the depth-extending plate 531. The width of the tip portion 532 in the left-right direction is formed to be greater than the width of the depth-extending plate 531 in the left-right direction. The hooking protrusions 533 are formed in an L-shape that opens to the indoor side X2.

[0047] The pair of metal members 54 are positioned on the outside of both sides in the left-right direction (visible direction) of the depth-extending portion 53 of the mullion body 51, and extend in the depth direction. The pair of metal members 54 are positioned to sandwich a portion of the depth-extending portion 53 of the mullion body 51 in the left-right direction. Each of the pair of metal members 54 has a metal extension plate 541 that extends in the depth direction, an end hook portion 542 formed at the indoor side X2 end of the metal extension plate 541, and an outer hook piece 543 formed on the outdoor side X1 of the metal extension plate 541, beyond the end hook portion 542 on the indoor side X2 end.

[0048] The end hook portion 542 is formed to protrude inward in the left-right direction from the end of the indoor side X2 of the metal extension plate 541 and is formed in a U-shape that opens toward the outdoor side X1. The end hook portion 542 is hooked onto hook protrusions 533 that protrude outward on both sides in the left-right direction from the middle of the depth direction extension plate 531 of the depth direction extension portion 53. The metal member 54 is attached to the mullion body 51 by the end hook portion 542 being hooked onto and engaged with the hook protrusions 533.

[0049] The outer hook piece 543 is formed to protrude outward in the left-right direction on the outdoor side X1 than the end hook portion 542 on the indoor side X2 end of the metal extension plate 541, and is formed in an L-shape that opens toward the indoor side X2.

[0050] A pair of thermal insulation resin structures 55 are positioned on the exterior side X1 of the two glass panels 4. The pair of thermal insulation resin structures 55 are positioned on the outside of a pair of metal members 54, which are positioned on the outside of both sides in the left-right direction (face direction) of the depth-extending portion 53 of the mullion body 51, and extend in the depth direction along the direction in which the metal members 54 extend outwards in the left-right direction of the metal members 54. Each pair of thermal insulation resin structures 55 is positioned on the outside of the metal members 54 in the left-right direction, with the metal members 54 sandwiched between them and the depth-extending portion 53 of the mullion body 51 of the mullion 5.

[0051] The thermal insulation resin structure 55 is made of a rigid resin component that has thermal insulation properties and strength. The thermal insulation resin structure 55 is formed from a rigid resin such as rigid polyvinyl chloride. The thermal insulation resin structure 55 is formed from an extruded profile of a resin material such as rigid PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

[0052] Each pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 includes a depth-extending resin portion 551 extending in the depth direction, a projection 552 projecting inward in the left-right direction from the outdoor-side end X1 of the depth-extending resin portion 551, a resin-side hook portion 553 formed at the indoor-side end X2 of the depth-extending resin portion 551, an L-shaped projection 554 projecting inward in the left-right direction midway along the depth direction of the depth-extending resin portion 551, a projection 555 projecting inward in the left-right direction on the indoor-side X2 from the L-shaped projection 554 midway along the depth direction of the depth-extending resin portion 551, and a plurality of projections 556 projecting outward in the left-right direction midway along the depth direction of the depth-extending resin portion 551.

[0053] The inner end of the protruding portion 552 in the left-right direction abuts against the outer surface in the left-right direction of the outer end X1 of the metal extension plate 541 of the metal member 54.

[0054] The resin-side hook portion 553 is formed to protrude inward in the left-right direction from the end of the indoor side X2 of the heat-insulating resin structure 55 and is formed in an L-shape that opens toward the outdoor side X1. The resin-side hook portion 553 is hooked onto the outer hook piece 543 of the metal member 54. The metal member 54 is attached to the heat-insulating resin structure 55 by the resin-side hook portion 553 being hooked onto and engaged with the outer hook piece 543. The projection 555 abuts against the left-right outer surface of the metal extension plate 541 of the metal member 54.

[0055] A pair of thermal insulation resin members 56 are each positioned on the outdoor side X1 of the thermal insulation resin structure 55. The thermal insulation resin members 56 extend in the depth direction. Together with the thermal insulation resin structure 55, the thermal insulation resin members 56 constitute a thermal insulation member and have thermal insulation properties. The thermal insulation resin members 56 may be made of, for example, a foamed resin. In the depth direction, the pair of thermal insulation resin members 56 are formed extending from the portion where the tip 532 of the depth-oriented extension portion 53 of the mullion body 51 is provided toward the outdoor side X1, and extend to a position on the outdoor side X1 beyond the tip 532 of the depth-oriented extension portion 53 of the mullion body 51.

[0056] The pair of outer metal frame members 57 are positioned outside the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 and the pair of heat-insulating resin members 56 in the left-right direction, so as to cover the perimeter of the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 and the pair of heat-insulating resin members 56. Each of the pair of outer metal frame members 57 has an extensional metal portion 571 that is positioned on the left-right outer side of the heat insulating resin structure 55 and has a hollow portion 571a that extends in the depth direction, an outdoor-inner metal plate 572 that extends inward in the left-right direction from the outdoor-side end X1 of the extensional metal portion 571, a protruding plate 573 that protrudes to the indoor side X2 from the left-right inner end of the outdoor-inner metal plate 572, an L-shaped protrusion 574 that protrudes in an L-shape to the indoor side X2 from the left-right outer end of the indoor side X2 end of the extensional metal portion 571, and a contact protrusion 575 that protrudes to the indoor side X2 from the left-right inner end of the indoor side X2 end of the extensional metal portion 571 and abuts against two of the multiple protrusions 556 of the heat insulating resin structure 55.

[0057] The protruding plates 573 of the pair of outer metal frame members 57 are arranged so that their inner surfaces in the left-right direction are in contact with each other and overlap at the inner side of the end of the outdoor side X1.

[0058] With a pair of outer metal frame members 57 attached to the left-right outer surfaces of a pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 and a pair of heat-insulating resin members 56, a backup material 59 is placed between the indoor side X2 of the resin-side hook portion 553 of the heat-insulating resin structure 55 and the outdoor side X1 of the left-right mullion side end of the glass panel 4. On the left-right outer surface of the backup material 59, a sealant 60 is applied between the indoor side X2 of the outer metal frame member 57 and the indoor side X2 of the heat-insulating resin structure 55 and the outdoor side X1 of the glass panel 4.

[0059] With a pair of outer metal frame members 57 attached to the left-right outer surfaces of a pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 and a pair of heat-insulating resin members 56, the indoor side X2 surface of the L-shaped projection 574 of the outer metal frame member 57 and the indoor side X2 end surface of the heat-insulating resin structure 55 are pressing the outdoor side X1 surface of the left-right mullion 5 side end of the glass panel 4 against the indoor side X2 via a backup material 59 and a sealing material 60.

[0060] As a result, the pair of outer metal frame members 57 push the visible exterior X1 of each of the two glass panels 4 toward the interior X2 at the ends of the two glass panels 4 on the mullion 5 side in the left-right direction. Thus, the outer metal frame members 57 function as retaining trim members that push the ends of the glass panels 4 on the mullion 5 side in the left-right direction. The pair of outer metal frame members 57, along with the airtight material 521 positioned at the outer end of the interior portion 52 of the mullion 5 positioned on the interior X2, sandwich the ends of the glass panels 4 on the mullion 5 side in the left-right direction and fix the ends of the glass panels 4 on the mullion 5 side in the left-right direction.

[0061] Furthermore, a pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55, made of rigid resin, are positioned on the left-right inner side of the pair of outer metal frame members 57. Therefore, together with the outer metal frame members 57, the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 push the visible surface on the outdoor side X1 toward the indoor side X2 at the left-right mullion 5 side end of each of the two glass panels 4, and fix the left-right mullion 5 side end of the glass panel 4 together with the indoor side portion 52 of the mullion 5 positioned on the indoor side X2.

[0062] In this way, the indoor-side X2 surfaces of the L-shaped projections 574 of the pair of outer metal frame members 57 and the indoor-side X2 surfaces of the resin-side hooks 553 of the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 can sandwich and fix the left-right mullion 5 side end of the glass panel 4 between the airtight material 521 positioned at the outer end of the indoor-side portion 52 of the mullion body 51. Since the heat-insulating resin structure 55 is made of a rigid resin material, together with the outer metal frame members 57, the left-right mullion 5 side end of the glass panel 4 can be firmly fixed between the indoor-side portion 52 of the mullion body 51 and the heat-insulating resin structure 55 in the depth direction.

[0063] The outdoor cover portion 58 is formed in a U-shape in cross-section, with the indoor side X2 being open. The outdoor cover portion 58 is attached to the outdoor metal frame members 57 at the outdoor side X1 end of the pair of outdoor metal frame members 57, when the outdoor metal frame members 57 are attached to the left and right outer sides of the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 and the pair of heat-insulating resin members 56.

[0064] The mullion structure 50 of the second embodiment comprises a frame 2, two glass panels 4 arranged adjacent to each other with a predetermined gap between them in the visible direction, and a mullion 5 arranged between the two glass panels 4 and extending in the depth direction. The mullion 5 has a mullion body 51 having an indoor portion 52 arranged on the indoor side X2 of the two glass panels 4 and a depth-extending portion 53 that extends from the indoor portion 52 through the space between the two glass panels 4 to the outdoor side X1 in the depth direction, a pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 arranged on the outdoor side X1 of the two glass panels 4 and on the outside of both sides of the depth-extending portion 53 in the visible direction, and a pair of metal outer metal frame members 57 arranged on the outside of the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 in the left-right direction.

[0065] As a result, a pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 are placed on the outside of the horizontally extending portion 53 of the mullion body 51, which has a small width in the horizontal direction, and an outer metal frame member 57 is placed on the outside of the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, since the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 are placed between the horizontally extending portion 53 of the mullion body 51 and the pair of outer metal frame members 57, the size in the horizontal direction (visible direction) can be reduced compared to a mullion structure that achieves heat insulation by a bridge structure in which a heat-insulating member is placed between the outdoor aluminum profile and the indoor aluminum profile. In addition, the pair of outer metal frame members 57 are placed on the outside of the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 in the horizontal direction and are made of metal. Therefore, the appearance of the mullion structure 30 can be unified with a metal such as aluminum. Furthermore, the weather resistance of the mullion structure 30 can be stabilized by using a metal such as aluminum. Furthermore, the strength of the mullion structure 50 can be ensured.

[0066] In this embodiment, the pair of outer metal frame members 57 press the visible surfaces X1 on the outdoor side of each of the two glass panels 4 toward the indoor side X2, thereby fixing the ends of the glass panels 4 to the indoor side portion 52. As a result, the pair of outer metal frame members 57, being made of metal, function as retaining trim members that press against the ends of the glass panels 4 on the mullion 5 side in the left-right direction, thereby ensuring the strength to fix the glass panels 4 to the mullion structure 50.

[0067] In this embodiment, the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55, together with the pair of outer metal frame members 57, are rigid resin members that press the exterior X1 facing surface of each of the two glass panels 4 toward the interior X2, fixing the interior portion 52 to the left-right mullion 5 side of the glass panel 4. Thus, in addition to having heat insulation properties, the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 are rigid resin members that, together with the pair of outer metal frame members 57, function as retaining trim members that press the left-right mullion 5 ends of the glass panel 4. Therefore, the pair of heat-insulating resin structures 55 combine the functions of heat insulation and strength in a single component.

[0068] While preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified as appropriate.

[0069] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which mullions 3 and 5 are placed between two glass panels 4, and the glass panels 4 are placed on both sides of the mullions 3 and 5 in the left-right direction. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the glass panel 4 is placed only on one side of the mullions 3 and 5 in the left-right direction is also possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 2 Frame, 4 Glass panel, 3,5 Mullions, 32,52 Indoor portion, 30,50 Mullion structure, 31,51 Mullion body, 33,53 Extension in the depth direction, 34,55 Insulating resin structure (insulating member), 35,57 Outer metal frame member, 56 Insulating resin member (insulating member)

Claims

1. Frame and, A glass panel placed inside the aforementioned frame, A mullion structure comprising a mullion positioned to the side of the glass panel and extending in the depth direction, The aforementioned mullion is, A mullion body having an indoor portion positioned on the indoor side of the glass panel, and a portion extending in the depth direction from the indoor portion through the gap between the glass panels to the outdoor side in the depth direction, An insulating member is provided which is located on the outdoor side of the glass panel and on the outside in the visible direction of the portion extending in the depth direction, A mullion structure comprising a metal outer metal frame member disposed on the outside of the aforementioned heat insulating member.

2. The mullion structure according to claim 1, wherein the outer metal frame member is pressed against the interior side, thereby pressing the outer metal frame member and the exterior surface of the glass panel towards the interior side, and fixing the end of the glass panel with the interior portion.

3. The mullion structure according to claim 2, wherein the insulating member has a rigid resin member that, together with the outer metal frame member, pushes the exterior surface of the glass panel toward the interior, thereby fixing the end of the glass panel to the interior portion.

4. The glass panel comprises two of the aforementioned glass panels, The two glass panels are arranged within the frame, adjacent to each other with a predetermined gap between them in the visible direction. The mullion structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mullion is positioned to the side of the two glass panels and between the two glass panels.

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